Rubber and Plastics Production Drive Growth in Industrial Automation Markets, Says ABI Research

 

Industrial robots have long been used to reduce companies' manufacturing, production and labor costs, eliminate dirty, dangerous and dull work tasks, and foster enhanced manufacturing production efficiency, quality and consistency. The auto industry has traditionally been the largest single user of industrial robotics, but even with that sector facing a downturn in production capacity over the next several years, ABI Research sees the market for industrial robotics expanding from $5.2 billion in new robots shipped in 2010 to $8.8 billion in shipments in 2015.
Larry Fisher, research director of NextGen, ABI Research's emerging technologies research incubator, says, “The short-term impact of the recession hurt robot sales in 2009, but manufacturers of all types have started spending strongly on robotic automation in 2010. Part of that surge is the result of delayed orders, but it's clear that the recession has forced many manufacturers to reassess their priorities and identify ways to reduce costs and improve efficiency.”
One result of that reassessment, Fisher says, is that “We see the rubber and plastics industry increasingly utilizing industrial automation to the extent that, by 2015, it will be the largest consumer of industrial robotics, on a revenue basis -- even larger than the auto industry.”
In addition, says Fisher, “Food and beverage handling and processing will see very strong growth in the use of robots, as manufacturers in the field realize the benefits of automation, from both the labor standpoint and the sanitary perspective.”
A new ABI Research Study, “Industrial Robotics: Welding, Assembly, Coating, Dispensing, Sealing, Machining, Material Handling, and other Industrial Robots and Components,” (http://www.abiresearch.com/research/1006057) finds that, while automotive manufacturing will shrink, on a unit basis, over the next several years, the increasing use of robots in such sectors as food handling and processing, clean technology and energy, pharmaceutical and general consumer goods production will drive growth in the industrial robotics sector through at least the middle of the coming decade, as manufacturers look to improve the speed, quality and reliability of production through automation.
It is part of the firm's Human-Machine Technology Research Service (http://www.abiresearch.com/products/service/Human-Machine_Technology_Research_Service), which also includes other Research Reports, ABI Insights, and analyst inquiry support.
ABI Research provides in-depth analysis and quantitative forecasting of trends in global connectivity and other emerging technologies. From offices in North America, Europe and Asia, ABI Research's worldwide team of experts advises thousands of decision makers through 30+ research and advisory services. Est. 1990.
(Source: http://www.benzinga.com/press-releases/10/11/b636743/rubber-and-plastics-production-drive-growth-in-industrial-automation-ma)