A total of 22,427 robots valued at $1.3bn were ordered from North American companies in the first nine months of 2015, an increase of six percent in units and nine percent in dollars over the same period in 2014, which held the previous record. Robot shipments to North American customers through September totaled 21,436 robots valued at $1.2bn, breaking the previous record set in 2014 by 16 percent in units and 10 percent in dollars.

Sales activity continued to be strong in both automotive and non-automotive industries. Automotive related orders were up six percent through September, while orders to non-automotive industries such as electronics, food and consumer goods, and metals increased five percent over 2014.

“Demand for robots is at an all-time high, and companies of all sizes, in all sectors of the economy, are realizing the benefits of automation,” said Jeff Burnstein, president of RIA. “Robots are optimizing production more than ever, increasing global competitiveness, and performing dull, dirty and dangerous tasks that enable companies to create higher-skilled, better-paying, and safer jobs for their employees.”

RIA estimates that some 236,000 robots are now in use in United States factories, placing the U.S. second only to Japan in robot use.

Source: RIA