Universal Robots expands national network

By Digital News Asia May 24, 2018

Cobot benefits: productivity, quality and workers’ wellbeing
National Industry 4.0 Blueprint: robotics, IoT, cloud computing, big data analytics

Universal Robots expands national network

UNIVERSAL Robots (UR), a collaborative robotics company, is strengthening its partner network in Malaysia.

The four new partners, industrial technology integrators, will provide SMEs and enterprises with robot automation solutions.

Frost & Sullivan finds that the total automation and control market in Malaysia will be worth US$409 million (RM1.64 billion) by 2021.

Bizit Systems in Johor, Multitrade Asiapac and Servo Dynamics in Penang, and T. E. M. Engineering in the Klang Valley, join a network of UR channel partners in Southeast Asia to support demand for collaborative robots (cobots) in the region.

In Malaysia, cobots are deployed in industries such as electronics, automotive, semiconductor, furniture and consumer products.

Shermine Gotfredsen (pic), general manager, Southeast Asia and Oceania at UR said: “Malaysia is an important market for Universal Robots due to rising demand for automation and strong government support for robotics. Our new partners have the technology expertise to assess, recommend and implement appropriate UR cobot solutions, notably for companies new to automation.

“They will also provide hands-on training to managers, technicians and workers. Cobots’ endless benefits and wide range of applications offer huge advantages for industries in Malaysia, enhancing productivity, quality and workers’ wellbeing.

“Firms that have gone the automation route have increased production by as much as 300% while reducing defects by 90% and lifting profits by 20%. Average automation levels within Malaysian manufacturing firms are still low — with 80% automating less than 50% of their processes.

“As businesses face rising costs for raw materials and a weak currency, investing in innovative automation technology is necessary to remain competitive. Those that have not done so must make the transition quickly,” she added.

The International Federation of Robotics ranked Malaysia 29th globally for automation adoption with a robot density of 34 industrial robots installed per 10,000 employees in 2016, far below the world average of 74.

More than 23,000 UR cobots are deployed globally, benefiting businesses regardless of size, across various industries.

In Indonesia, UR cobots are improving productivity, output quality and workers’ safety, with yearly cost savings of over US$80,000 at PT JVC Electronics Indonesia.

Japan’s Nissan Motor Company’s decision to deploy UR cobots has resulted in a higher level of output and stability as well as time and cost efficiencies. Nissan’s ageing workforce also enjoy a reduced workload and were redeployed to less strenuous tasks.

Growing importance of automation in Malaysia

Demand for automation and robotics continues to grow in Malaysia. The country was listed among 25 “Leading Countries” well-positioned to gain from Industry 4.0 in the Readiness for the Future of Production Report 2018 by the World Economic Forum.

Government incentives are driving automation adoption among SMEs in the country, which comprise 97% of manufacturing firms.

The Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) is working with industry players on a National Industry 4.0 Blueprint this year, prioritising the uptake of new technologies, including robotics, to enhance the adoption of Industry 4.0.

Malaysian manufacturing is an important economic sector contributing 22.8% of GDP in 2017 or RM308.37 billion. The country’s GDP rose 5.9% last year, its best result in three years, with domestic demand driving growth.

Universal Robots grows market share

The global surge in demand for robots across industries is reflective of UR’s business growth. The company has a global market share of 58% (BIS Research). The company has been widening its distribution channels in multiple markets; currently it has 300 distributors in more than 50 countries worldwide.

Globally, UR generated US$170 million in revenue in 2017, a 72% increase from 2016.