Citation
(2002), "UK manufacturing is investing for the future as 2001 sees record robot sales in the UK", Industrial Robot, Vol. 29 No. 6. https://doi.org/10.1108/ir.2002.04929fab.012
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2002, MCB UP Limited
UK manufacturing is investing for the future as 2001 sees record robot sales in the UK
UK manufacturing is investing for the future as 2001 sees record robot sales in the UK
Last year saw a record number of new robots installed in the UK, which can only be good news for UK manufacturing. While many people predict the demise of manufacturing in the UK, this shows that companies who are not afraid to use the latest manufacturing technologies still see the UK as a viable base for manufacturing.
As usual the automotive industry is leading the way, taking almost three- quarters of the total. Last year this sector showed a marked move towards investment from tier one and two suppliers with relatively small numbers going into vehicle assembly plants (Figure 1).
Sales to other sectors have remained fairly static for some years. Robot suppliers are confidently predicting another good year for 2002 with again a lot of activity within the automotive sector.
Figure 1
Installation figures split between the automotive industry and others
Looking at the figures, 1,941 robots were installed which easily beats the previous record high of “97” in which 1,792 robots were sold. It is estimated that there are now around 13,500 industrial robots working in the UK.
One notable change in the increase in the food and drink industry, where the increase is due to technological advances in palletising and packaging robots, and should continue for some time.
The growth of the electronics sector, and the sharp decline in the rubber and plastics industries are thought to be caused by changes in investment patterns.
These figures are collated by the British Automation and Robot Association (BARA) based at the University of Warwick an organisation which promotes the appropriate use of automation within the UK.
Figures are supplied by all of the major robot suppliers within the UK, and BARA has been tracking UK robot sales since 1978.
Further details of the installation figures or details of the show are available via the BARA Web site at www.bara.org.uk