Industrial robot production totaled 34,274 units in July, down 13.3% year on year, signaling a contraction in industrial demand for automation equipment amid a faltering economy.
According to the National Bureau of Statistics, in the first seven months ended July 31, the country produced 256,260 industrial robots, an increase of 3.8% over a year earlier.
In the second quarter of this year, industrial robot output advanced 2.55% over last year to 118,232 units, although the overall economy is still reeling from the coronavirus disruptions, statistics show.
Also in the second quarter, 76,925 industrial robots were sold, rocketing 10.25% from the same period last year, says GGII, a robot and automation-focused think tank.
Nonetheless, the oversupply of industrial robots from manufacturers in China suggests a possible slowdown in the expansion of the industry in the second half of this year.
cnrobopedia reported earlier that major foreign brands have continued their strong growth in the mainland Chinese market in H1.
Fanuc generated 63.9 billion yen, or US$450 million, from the sales of robots, up 45.23%.
Yaskawa, another Japanese rival considered one of the “Big Four” industrial robot makers, raked in 35.64 billion yen, or US$250 million, up 47.92%, in the six months from December 2022 to May 2023.
ABB, for its part, reported revenue of US$475 million from its robot business in the six months ended June 30, jumping 24.35% over the previous year.
On the other hand, all three players have recorded year-on-year decreases in order amount for their global robot businesses.
GGII predicted that the order amount will continue to fall in the second half of this year worlwide.
The research institute attributed the fluctuation in demand-supply relationship to temporary hiccups in production capacity.
In light of officials statistics, new energy vehicle, photovoltaic and other industries have witnessed exponential growth in recent months.
As upstream suppliers, industrial robot developers are expected to continue to benefit from the boom of these sectors, GGII predicted.
It also forecast the sales of industrial robot in China to hit 333,000 units throughout the year, up 9.90% year on year, in 2023.
