Sales of industrial robots contract in China for the first time in 5 years due to “tightening demand”

China Industrial robot Sales are expected to record their first decline in five years amid slowing demand in the United States Manufacturing industryNew market research emerges.

Total deliveries of industrial robots in the country this year are expected to reach 300,000 units, down 5 percent from 2023, according to the latest report from the market consulting Shenzhen Gaoggong Industrial Institute (GGII).

The report attributed this decline to “clearly tightening demand” from the manufacturing industry, especially the manufacturing sector Cars and Renewable energy sectors, as companies slowed their investments in fixed assets amid increasing pressures on profitability.

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The lower-than-expected sales volume of industrial robots marks the first decline since 2020, according to GGII data. The institute previously expected record sales of 320,000 units this year.

“Manufacturers of industrial robots face a test of survival,” the report said. She pointed out that slow demand led to a price war in the industry.

A robotic arm from Siasun Robot & Automation, one of China’s largest industrial robotics companies, is on display at the latest edition of the World Intelligent Manufacturing Congress in the country. Image: Shutterstock alt=A robotic arm from Siasun Robot & Automation, one of China’s largest industrial robotics companies, is on display at the latest edition of the World Intelligent Manufacturing Congress in the country. Image: Shutterstock>

The decline in sales this year also came at a time when China was already… It overtook Germany and Japan in adopting industrial robots.

The growth of domestic demand for industrial robots has gradually slowed over the past few years. Sales saw a 54 percent increase in 2021, when China began doubling the adoption of industrial robots.

However, this growth declined significantly to 16 percent and 4.3 percent in 2022 and 2023, respectively, due to the impact of the coronavirus. COVID-19 related restrictions and global geopolitical headwinds.

While falling orders have become a “common problem in the industry,” foreign industrial robot vendors on the mainland are having a more difficult time, with some suppliers’ quarterly order volumes down more than 40 percent from last year, according to a GGII report.

Demand for industrial robots, from domestic and foreign suppliers, surged in 2021 as China began to ramp up their adoption in its manufacturing industry. Image: Shutterstock alt=Demand for industrial robots, from domestic and foreign suppliers, rose in 2021 as China began to increase adoption in its manufacturing industry. Image: Shutterstock>

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