In the first half of 2015, sales of all types of robots continued to grow in a number of key industrial segments.

(Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA - August 3, 2015) The North American robotics market is off to its fastest start ever in 2015, according to new statistics released from Robotic Industries Association (RIA), the industrys trade group.

A record 14,232 robots, valued at $840 million were ordered from North American robotics companies in the first half of 2015, an increase of one percent in units and seven percent in revenue over the same period in 2014, which held the previous record.

"Were encouraged by the continued strength in the North American robotics market," said Jeff Burnstein, President of RIA. "The interest in robotics remains strong not just in North America, but all over the world, as companies recognize that robots can help them improve productivity, product quality, and flexibility."

In the first half of 2015, sales of all types of robots continued to grow in a number of key industrial segments. Semiconductors (30%), automotive components (23%), and life sciences (eight percent) increased strongly over the first half of last year. In contrast, orders to automotive OEMs cooled in the first six months, down 18% from record high performance in the first half of 2014.

The markets best start to the year has also been realized in key robot application segments like coating/dispensing and material handling. "Robots ordered for use in coating/dispensing and material handling applications grew 36% and 27% respectively through June," said Alex Shikany, RIAs Director of Market Analysis. "Material handling is the largest category we measure and touches many important industries to the robotics market. Its encouraging to see such strong growth in this segment." Shikany added that the notable increase in material handling applications can be traced, to some degree, to the growth in non-automotive industries such as semiconductors/electronics, life sciences, and others. RIA estimates that some 232,000 robots are now at use in United States factories, placing the US second only to Japan in robot use.

About Robotic Industries Association (RIA)
Founded in 1974, RIA is a not-for-profit trade association dedicated to improving the regional, national and global competitiveness of the North American manufacturing and service sectors through promotion and enhancement of robotics and related automation. RIA represents 350 robot manufacturers, system integrators, component suppliers, end users, consulting firms, research groups, and educational institutions. The association hosts a number of events including the National Robot Safety Conference (October 12-14, 2015 in Pittsburgh, PA), the International Collaborative Robots Workshop (October 15, 2015 in Pittsburgh, PA), the A3 Business Forum (February 3-5, 2016 in Orlando, FL) and the biennial Automate Show & Conference (April 3-6, 2017 in Chicago). RIA also provides quarterly robotics statistics and has a content-rich website, Robotics Online. For more details on RIA, visit Robotics Online or call 734/994-6088.

About Association for Advancing Automation (A3)
The Association for Advancing Automation is the global advocate for the benefits of automating. A3 promotes automation technologies and ideas that transform the way business is done. A3 is the umbrella group for Robotic Industries Association (RIA), AIA - Advancing Vision + Imaging, and Motion Control & Motor Association (MCMA). RIA, AIA, and MCMA combined represent some 850 automation manufacturers, component suppliers, system integrators, end users, research groups and consulting firms from throughout the world that drive automation forward. For more information, please visit our websites: A3; RIA; AIA; MCMA.