Quarterly figures robotics

Following the news of Universal Robots' excellent quarterly figures (+30%), there are also interesting things to report from other robotics companies.

Omron

OMRON's Industrial Automation division traditionally accounts for about half of its sales. This also includes robotics, consisting of some AGV, Scara and Delta robots as well as the Techman cobots, which can actually be described as merchandise. Compared to the weak previous year, also - cf. UR - was able to increase its invoices by almost 30%. Most of the growth was achieved in Europe (+ 31%). However, the decisive factor here was apparently not necessarily robotics, but areas such as e-mobility or packaging systems. However, the number of applications has risen from 50 in 2017 to 230 today. This positive development is probably attributable to robotics.

OMRON acquires a stake in Techman - nothing else changes?

OMRON continues to invest in robotics as evidenced by its 10% stake in Techman. Techman has increasingly emancipated itself from Omron in recent years. Parallel sales have been established in more and more countries, and it appears that major OEMs are now buying directly from Techman rather than Omron. This raises the question of whether this two-track approach will change. Since Techman has a strong parent company, this would be rather surprising. But perhaps the 10% is also a first step towards a 100% acquisition. For whether Techman is willing to please its mother is not known. Profits Techman is unlikely to make, so my guess when comparing with other Cobot manufacturers. BUT: Similar to Rethink Robotics relying on Siemens' know-how, Techman seems to rely on OMRON's. If so, there would be added value after all. Omron writes: "Joint development of next generation robots. OMRON is to provide high-speed motion using synchronized control. OMRON's controllers have a very good reputation indeed.

For the fiscal year ending 3/31/22, Omron expects automation sales to increase 28%, meaning sentiment remains strong.

FANUC very good overall, but locally different

The Japanese group was able to improve by an impressive 37% compared to the same quarter of the previous year, but at the same time lost 10% compared to the previous quarter (April-June 2021). However, the robots developed far better than the sales of the machines. Europe now accounts for only 23% of total robotics sales. In the end, there was hardly any change here. It seems conceivable that a possible decline in the automotive sector cannot be overcompensated by growth in other sectors. Robotics reports growth in new orders for America, China and Japan. However, at least the first two economies are also developing better than Europe.

Tracks were yesterday - FANUC with innovation

Particularly in cramped conditions, for example during machine loading, the paths must be well programmed today to prevent collisions. FANUC has now announced that marking the start and end points will be sufficient in the future. The program will then determine the correct path itself.

Also coming to market will be a robot that can lift 1,000 kg and will thus be predestined for heavy battery assembly.

ABB

ABB reports strong order intake (+26%), but cannot deliver. Sales fell by 3% compared to the same quarter last year. Now it became known how much was paid for the acquisition of the Spanish AMR manufacturer ASTI Mobile Robotics: It was $190 million. ASTI's most recent revenue was around $50 million. Roughly, ASTI was thus valued at four times its sales. ABB is roughly valued at two times its sales. ASTI sales are thus worth twice as much. Probably a mixture of the greater growth expectation and probably also due to a premium, since ABB wanted something mobile.

KUKA - strong growth that could also be served

Kuka Sales not only acquired diligently, the company was also able to deliver, so that sales increased by 27% compared to the 9 months of the previous year. The above figures apply to the Group. Robotics alone achieved a 19% increase in sales. The further development (order backlog) is positive. The good development also meant that the number of employees increased again.

Conclusion

Other robotics companies, such as Denso, were also able to increase their revenues significantly. On balance, those that are able to deliver are doing well. It seems that not only the old level will be reached again, but even surpassed. Particularly in the case of cobots, the boom that has been predicted for a long time is now becoming apparent. Two aspects are astonishing here: There is obviously sufficient capacity at the integrators. In addition, I am surprised by the behavior of the Chinese robot manufacturers: almost all of them (Siasun apparently not) want to come to Germany, but they are still not prepared to invest in the German market. Chinese cobots are now listed at first distributors, but price and delivery time on request. This will probably not be enough to achieve significant market shares in Germany.

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The author of this blog is significantly involved in the AI/ robotics project Boost-Bot. He advises robotics companies and investors on market (entry)/ business development and funding/subsidies. The standard book on cobots is also written by Guido Bruch (however, the book is already 2 years old and therefore not quite up to date). More about him can be found here.