Automated assembly system demand down 18 per cent but forecast to return to growth in 2002

Citation

(2002), "Automated assembly system demand down 18 per cent but forecast to return to growth in 2002", Assembly Automation, Vol. 22 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/aa.2002.03322aab.007

Automated assembly system demand down 18 per cent but forecast to return to growth in 2002

Automated assembly system demand down 18 per cent but forecast to return to growth in 2002

Keyword: Assembly

Overall automated assembly demand down but some user segments remain strong demand for grippers, actuators and transfer units suffers as automated assembly system demand dropped 18 per cent.

Advanced Technology Advisors (ATA) reports that while demand for systems as well as most major components such as grippers, robots, actuators and structural elements is off by 18 per cent, some end user segments remain healthy. In a new market report just issued by ATA, they report that HealthCare and electronics related demand continues to hold up while automotive related is weak (Figure 1).

Figure 1 Assembly market segmentation

Demand for 2001 is estimated by ATA at about $2 billion for systems and about $2.1 billion for related major components. Demand is forecast to increase by 9 per cent in 2002. Automotive, once a leader in automated assembly systems, is expected to be the slowest to return to health and may never again dominate the industry. The new study by ATA estimates automotive and electronics applications each currently represent about one fourth of the total demand.

More than 700 companies address the market with about 250 providing custom assembly system design and build services. International players and consolidation in suppliers is dramatically changing the enviromnent and the impacting strategies for success.

For more information about the Advanced Technology Advisors report call 440-442-1670; Fax: 440-442-5008: E-mail: aa974@yahoo.com