The impact of automation on the global industrial market

The future is becoming progressively digital, and the world of industry is a clear example of this convergence. In recent years many companies have chosen to focus on automation technologies and robotics, and are increasingly continuing to do so. For many companies, the use of robots and autonomous machinery will be a key growth trend in 2023… but will these technologies really be able to transform the business world? What impact will they have on global industry?

What impact will automation and robotics have on the industrial sector in the next 5 years?

Findings in McKinsey's Global Industrial Robotics Survey conducted during the year behind demonstrate how the use of technology is continuously expanding, with huge advantages in terms of production quality, optimisation of service operations, efficiency and uptime. However, as this survey underlines, many businesses will need help to complete their technology transitions.

During the next five years the industrial sector will focus heavily on robotics and automation, with an estimated expenditure of roughly 25%. Logistics and retail will be the sectors with the highest estimated spending on automation in those years, notching up the highest share among the industry segments surveyed.

In other words, companies plan to invest billions of dollars in automation and robotics in the coming years… but it is highly important to note that not all companies in the sector are suitable for automation: this is true especially for activities like assembly, moulding, surface treatment and welding, which all require a high level of human input.

On the other hand, actions such as picking, packing, sorting and handling of goods will continue to be the areas of greatest investment in the coming years.

?Bonfiglioli’s forecasts for automation in 2023

In recent years we have witnessed the development of many different kinds of sophisticated technologies: advances in robotics, new AI features and other automation technologies that promise to modify or revolutionise the business world. Bonfiglioli, which has been operating in the automation sector for many years, expects demands for gearmotors to increase at least up to 2027, especially in the warehousing and packaging sector. Demand from the intralogistics sector applied to warehouses and parcels will be steadily growing throughout the forecast period. The process of automating factories is increasing the demand for light-duty gearboxes and Bonfiglioli, thanks to its decades of experience in the design of complete solutions, is a specialist in offering exactly the right product to support the growth of every business… both in the handling sector and in the transport and storage of materials.