Robotics is continuing to spread in nearly every country around the world. In particular, Norwegian manufacturers are likely to add robots to factory floors in the coming years, according to a 2022 robot market report announced today. Labor and supply chain challenges are some of the main drivers of renewed interest in robotics, it said.
“We have a situation in Norway like many other countries in Europe and North America where manufacturers want to bring production closer to home but are also struggling with labor shortages and high labor costs,” said Karin Sundsvik, general manager at the Norwegian Society of Electric and Automatic Control (NFEA). “For them, robots are necessary to sustain production.”
“With a relatively low number of robots in operation in Norway today, there is a big potential for further growth in the coming years,” she added.
HowToRobot and Gain & Co. conducted the research for the market report, covering 131 robotics and automation suppliers operating in Norway. The companies behind the report will be present at NFEA’s Smart Produksjon 2022 industry conference on Nov. 30 in Gjøvik, Norway.
SMEs pick up on robots
Robot adoption will increase especially among small and midsize enterprises (SMEs), according to the report. SMEs account for the vast majority of Norway’s approximately 17,000 manufacturers.
“Robot technologies are becoming more broadly available and easier to use for SMEs,” said Søren Peters, CEO of HowToRobot and Gain & Co. “Robot suppliers targeting this segment are gaining a foothold in Norway.”
Offshore industries inspire automation
Norway is home to many robotics companies specialized in serving offshore industries. The report noted that 37% of the automation companies in Norway supply systems to the logistics industry, including shipping.
Manufacturers of metals and machinery account for 33% of suppliers, while 24% serve the food and beverage market.
Two specific sectors have a significant potential for growth, according to NFEA: the aquaculture industry and battery factories. Norway plans to ramp up the production of salmon to almost five times the current volume in 2050. And manufacturing of batteries is becoming a strategic priority for the country.
“Robots will play an important role in boosting the production capacity in those areas in a cost-effective way,” said Sundsvik.
Report highlights Norwegian robot ecosystem
The research identified 131 robot and automation suppliers in Norway, including:
- 21 robot manufacturers, and 35 subcomponent suppliers
- 59 integrators
- 12 distributors
- 4 advisors
The top three industries in Norway that robot companies supply are:
- Logistics: 48 suppliers
- Metals and machinery: 45 suppliers
- Food and beverage: 32 suppliers
The top three robot brands used by most automation suppliers in Norway are:
- Universal Robots, used by 23 suppliers
- ABB, used by 17 suppliers
- KUKA, used by 13 suppliers
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