BARA Statistics Reveal Strong Growth

Posted on Thursday 15 December 2011

Following the amazing year of recovery for robotics and automation in 2010, 2011 figures compiled by the British Automation and Robot Association (BARA) have shown that UK robot sales at the end of Q3 are already 24% higher than for the whole of last year.

In addition, its sales comparison survey highlights that although Q3 boasts the lowest sales figures of 2011 thus far, they represent the highest for the period in six years.

“If the uptake of robotics and automation in 2011 continues at this pace, the year-end total forecast for UK robot sales looks to be the best since 2000,” enthuses BARA Chairman Mike Wilson. “This is a huge turnaround for the UK market and it is anticipated that the growth will continue - it’s an amazing recovery from the bleak picture of sales declining year on year since 2005.”

Wilson has also highlighted the exceptional growth that has taken place in the food and drink - up by 205% compared to the same period last year - and aerospace industries (up by 67%). BARA’s 2011 figures also include major orders from the automotive industry - not seen since 2005.

“This is very good news for manufacturing industry,” explains Kevin Staines, Sales Director, CKF Systems Ltd. “Industry is now much more willing to embrace new technologies. Automation is helping to transform virtually all aspects of production and with increasing pressure at home and overseas, businesses know that now is the right time to investment to realise the benefits of increased flexibility, quality and profitability.”