The Robotics Market First Half 2012 Results and Trends

First Half 2012 Results and Trends

This report is based on data supplied to RIA by its member companies. The numbers represent the industrial robot units ordered and shipped, plus the dollar value added to the total robot system. RIA does not include numbers that other countries reporting to the International Federation of Robotics might include as robot units; e.g., RIA does not include four axis chip placement devices in standard electronic assembly machines. Table of Contents

1. First Half News Release

2. First Half 2012 -Application Trends — New Orders • Assembling and Disassembling • Processing • Dispensing • Welding and Soldering (all materials) • Handling Operations/Machine Tending • Other

First Half 2012 - Application Trends — Shipments • Assembling and Disassembling • Processing • Dispensing • Welding and Soldering (all materials) • Handling Operations/Machine Tending • Other

3. 2012 vs. 2011 New Orders and Shipments Totals — Units

2012 vs. 2011 New Orders and Shipments Totals — Dollars

Robotic Industries Association 900 Victors Way, Suite140 Contact: Jeff Burnstein Ann Arbor, Michigan 48108 USA President Telephone: (734) 994-6088 (734) 994-6088 Fax: (734) 994-3338 [email protected] www.Robotics.org

PRESS RELEASE

North American Robotics Industry Posts Best Quarter Ever, According to New Statistics from RIA

(Ann Arbor, Michigan – July 26, 2012) North American robotics companies sold more industrial robots in the second quarter of 2012 than any previous quarter in history, according to new statistics released by Robotic Industries Association (RIA), the industry’s trade group.

A total of 5,556 robots valued at $403.1 million were sold to North American companies, a jump of 14% in units and 28% in dollars over the same quarter in 2011. Orders in the first half of 2012 totaled 10,652 robots valued at $747 million, increases of 20% in units and 29% in dollars over the same period last year.

“Obviously, we’re thrilled about the great results so far this year,” said Jeff Burnstein, President of RIA. The strong sales reflect increased demand for robotics in industries such as automotive, plastics & rubber, and metals. However, as the economy slows, it’s not clear that these numbers will remain as strong heading forward.”

Orders for spot welding robots, used primarily in automotive solutions, jumped 68% in the first half of 2012. Other big jumps were seen in coating & dispensing (+42%), arc welding (+20%), and assembly (+19%). Material removal orders, a smaller application area, rose 364 percent.

Automotive related orders accounted for 65% of units and 64% of dollars in the first half of 2012. This represents sharp gains of 44% in units and 56% in dollars over the opening half of 2011.

“It’s great that the auto related numbers continue to post huge gains, but as we know, automotive industry purchases are cyclical,” Burnstein explained. “However, we were disappointed to see non-automotive related orders fall eight percent in units and one percent in dollars in the first half of the year, with even sharper declines in the second quarter alone.” --more--

PRESS RELEASE

RIA estimates that some 220,000 robots are now used in the United States, placing the US second only to Japan in robot use.

Founded in 1974, RIA represents some 290 member companies including leading robot manufacturers, system integrators, component suppliers, end users, research groups and consulting firms. RIA’s quarterly statistics report is based on confidential data provided by member companies representing an estimated 90% of the North American market.

For more information on RIA and the robotics industry, visit Robotics Online at www.robotics.org or contact RIA Headquarters at 734/994-6088. ### FIRST HALF 2012 ROBOT APPLICATIONS

New Orders ‐ UNITS

Assembling and Processing dissassembling 1% 4% Other Dispensing 2% 7%

Handling operations/ machine tending 41% Welding and soldering (all materials) 45%

Shipments ‐ UNITS Assembling and Processing dissassembling Other Dispensing 1% 3% 1% 5%

Handling operations/ machine tending Welding and 43% soldering (all materials) 47%

Source: Robotic Industries Association, Ann Arbor MI. These totals are based on actual numbers submitted by participants and include sales by North American robot suppliers to companies in North America. This document is based on RIA's new, harmonized format. www.robotics.org 2012 vs 2011 New Orders and Shipments - UNITS January - June Comparisons

10,652 New Orders 8,879 Increase of 20%

2012 2011 10,184 Shipments Increase of 23% 8,285

0 3,000 6,000 9,000 12,000

2012 vs. 2012 First Half Comparisons New Orders and Shipments - DOLLARS

$747 million New Orders $577.8 million Increase of 29% 2012 2011

$647.7 million Shipments Increase of 23% $525.6 million

0 200 400 600 800

Source: Robotic Industries Association, Ann Arbor MI These totals are based on actual numbers submitted by participants and include sales by North American robot suppliers to companies in North America. www.robotics.org