The VDMA, the engineering industry group in Germany has said there has been an increase in demand for the automation and robotics sector. This article will explore this boom and its effects on the industry in Germany.
During the first quarter of 2022, the number of orders in the robotics and automation sector has gone up by 38 per cent, compared to the first quarter of 2021. This highlights the boom in the industry.
Chair of the VDMA Robotics and Automation Association Frank Konrad said: “The robotics and automation industry is booming.”
However, he believes that the current challenge is managing supply chains to ensure orders can be processed as quickly as possible, despite the growth in demand which could hinder this.
The Automation and Robotics industry in Germany is expected to still grow, with a 6 per cent increase forecasted to be seen over the rest of the year. Nonetheless, 6 per cent is significantly lower than the 38 per cent growth the industry has seen in the first quarter of this year, this is due to current and further supply chain issues, along with issues with sourcing and delivering relevant electronic parts.
Making Production Sustainable
The use of robotics and automation is believed to be necessary and a key part of businesses’ meeting their sustainability goals.
The automation and robotics industry is now also looking towards using renewable energy sources to further protect the environment. There is a large need for fuel cells and in this industry photovoltaic modules, and solar energy is looking to be the next step in their renewable energy journey. In fact, these are currently being made in Europe using robotics, meaning they can be made in large amounts and are not extremely expensive.
The Future
Experts believe that this boom and potential sustainable developments will benefit jobs in this industry. The use of robotics and automation means that there will be greater opportunities for more complex jobs with better training and development chances for workers. In fact, the newest automation technology will be able to be used without the need for programming, and innovation at its finest.
Shortage of Skills
Despite major developments, this boom has led to skills and labour shortages in the sector. This is a big concern considering the growth and future possibilities for this industry.
Chair of the VDMA Robotics and Automation Association Frank Konrad explains that there is a need for the makers of policy to ensure they have better commitment; this labour shortage could easily become the next big hurdle for Germany’s robotics and automation industry.
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