China’s Industrial Robot Market Faces First Decline in Five Years
Sluggish Demand Hits Manufacturing Industry
China’s industrial robot sales are poised to experience their first decline in five years, according to a recent report from the Shenzhen Gaogong Industrial Institute (GGII). The country’s total industrial robot deliveries are expected to reach 300,000 units this year, a 5% drop from 2023.
Tightening Demand from Key Sectors
The decline is attributed to slowing demand from the manufacturing industry, particularly in the automobile and renewable energy sectors. Companies have been scaling back fixed-asset investments due to increased pressure on profitability, leading to a decrease in industrial robot sales.
A Test of Survival for Manufacturers
The lower-than-expected volume of industrial robot sales marks the first decline since 2020, according to GGII data. The institute had previously forecast a record 320,000-unit sales this year. The report notes that industrial robot manufacturers are facing a “test of survival” due to the slow demand, which has led to a price war in the industry.
China’s Industrial Robot Adoption
Despite the decline, China has surpassed Germany and Japan in the adoption of industrial robots. However, growth in domestic demand for industrial robots has gradually slowed over the past few years. Sales surged 54% in 2021, but growth rates decreased to 16% and 4.3% in 2022 and 2023, respectively, due to the impact of Covid-19-related restrictions and global geopolitical headwinds.
Foreign Vendors Struggle
Foreign industrial robot vendors on the mainland are facing an even tougher time, with quarterly order volumes of some suppliers falling by more than 40% from a year ago, according to the GGII report.
China’s Robotics Ambitions
China has been ramping up the use of industrial robots, along with other hardware and software, to boost productivity, reduce workforce expenses, and improve the international competitiveness of its manufacturing supply chain. The country aims to achieve a minimum annual growth of 20% in robotics sales and develop a group of industry champions to double robot density by 2025.
Robot Density Rankings
China currently ranks third in terms of robot-to-factory-worker ratio, behind South Korea and Singapore, with 470 robots per 10,000 employees in 2023, up from 402 units a year earlier.
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