New record with 28,355 industrial robots installed

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Industrial robots in Germany
2023 was a record year for German automation companies

2024-09-25

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The German economy reached a new high in 2023 with 28,355 industrial robots installed, consolidating its leading role in Europe. The automotive and metalworking industries in particular drove growth. However, momentum will slow in 2024 and 2025.

2023 was a record year for industrial robots in Germany. In the automotive industry alone, sales rose by 29% in 2023.(Image: Kuka) — 2023 was a record year for industrial robots in Germany. In the automotive industry alone, sales rose by 29% in 2023.

(Image: Kuka)

Germany is the fifth largest robot market in the world and the leader in Europe. In the German manufacturing sector, there are 415 industrial robots for every 10,000 employees, making Germany one of the most automated countries. This is confirmed by the latest figures from Statista. This is also reflected in the latest World Robotics 2024 report. It states that the number of industrial robots continued to rise in 2023 and that 28,355 new industrial robots were installed in industry. This is an increase of seven percent compared to 2022, with the operational stock reaching 269,427 units. This is a new European record.

“Germany is the largest market for industrial robots in Europe,” says Marina Bill, President of the International Federation of Robotics. “Around one in three robot units was installed by the German economy in 2023. The operational stock increased by an average of five percent every year between 2018 and 2023.”

More robots in the automotive industry

Sales in the automotive industry rose by 29% to 9,190 units in 2023, with car manufacturers installing 5,001 units (+29%) and automotive suppliers 4,008 units (+31%). These results reflect catch-up effects: production had been temporarily suspended at several manufacturers due to a lack of electronic components. The orders were completed in 2023. The segment’s market share was 32% of all installed robots in an industry comparison.

The metalworking industry installed a new record number of 4,916 units in 2023. This is an increase of 16% compared to the previous year. It was followed by the chemical and plastics industry with 1,832 installed units (-12%) and the electrical/electronics industry with 1,746 units (+13%). The production of industrial robots in Germany reached 34,788 units, just 2% below the record figure set in 2022.

This gives manufacturers a market share of six percent of global demand. The market is essentially made up of manufacturers of classic high-performance robots for industry and newer providers that offer particularly cost-effective robotics – so-called low-cost robots.

Cautious outlook for the future, growth from 2026

The VDMA Robotics + Automation industry association expects 2024 to be a challenging year for the German robotics industry. The high order backlog from previous years has largely been processed, while incoming orders have been trending sideways since the beginning of 2023. The weakness in the domestic market will be partially offset by incoming orders from abroad.

As long as the political and economic uncertainty continues with subdued contract awards, 2025 will remain weak. Stronger growth should be expected again in 2026 or 2027 if deferred investments are made. (heh)

Stand vom 23.03.2021

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