
![]() |
Charlotte Stonestreet
Managing Editor |
Home> | AUTOMATION | >Robots | >Survey highlights auto supply chain's automation imperative |
Survey highlights auto supply chain's automation imperative
22 April 2024
A NEW global survey commissioned by ABB Robotics and conducted by Automotive Manufacturing Solutions (AMS) concludes that while automation is considered critical to the future of the automotive industry, many companies in the supply chain have yet to take advantage of the benefits offered by robotics and digitalisation.

Almost all respondents (97%) believe that automation and robotics will transform the automotive industry over the next five years, with a similar number (96%) predicting that software, digitalization and data management will be equally significant. When asked about the pace of investment, most believed that new OEMs and start-ups were well ahead of the curve, investing either ‘very well’ (38%) or ‘quite well’ (28%), followed by legacy OEMs who were thought to be embracing automation ‘very well’ by 31%. However, only 7% believed that Tier 2 suppliers were making the necessary investment, with Tier 3 suppliers further behind with only 3%.
“Automation has traditionally been seen as the preserve of only the very largest manufacturers,” said Joerg Reger, managing director of ABB Robotics Automotive Business Line. “But the reality is that ABB’s comprehensive portfolio, spanning everything from collaborative robots (cobots), large industrial robots and AI-powered Autonomous Mobile Robots, all powered by leading software solutions, can address the challenges faced by even the smallest producers. Automation can make smaller companies more resilient, flexible and efficient.”
For example, ABB’s dual-armed YuMi cobots have recently helped Japan’s SUS Corporation, a supplier of die-cast aluminum components, to reduce assembly time and increase productivity by 20 percent. Introducing this much-needed flexibility enables the company to respond to fluctuations in demand, with payback on the company’s investment expected within two years.
Daniel Harrison, automotive analyst from Automotive Manufacturing Solutions (AMS) said: “While both new and established manufacturers are making key investments, the essential upstream supply chain supporting them is not moving as quickly. This could prove problematic in terms of costs and also the speed new and increasingly complex components for EVs and connected cars are delivered to the factory. Affordable and practical automation and robotics needs to be available to the entire industry.”
The ABB survey gathered opinions on a range of topics from a comprehensive mix of nearly 400 industry experts from vehicle manufacturers and suppliers at all levels of management and engineering as well as other key professionals throughout the automotive world.
- ABB makes manufacturing more sustainable
- AI-enabled robotic item picker
- Automotive manufacturers rethinking JiT
- Taking automation to where it’s needed
- Robot demonstration cell
- Robotic micro-factories build sustainable homes
- YuMi waves the checkered flags at unveiling of Formula E Gen2 car
- Why it's time to go back to school to build a more competitive UK manufacturing sector
- ABB Robotics UK Open Day to show how businesses can Outrun with ABB solutions
- Press tending robot offers 25% faster cycle times
- Balls to Gravity
- ROBOTS GIVE FASTER CELL TOOL CHANGE TIMES
- ROBOT FOR DELICATE ASSEMBLY
- NUMBER OF ROBOTS IN UK ON THE RISE
- The future is bright - The future is automation!
- High Demand For Grant
- More Capacity, Less Space
- FREEBIRD - THE THIRD DIMENSION
- PRECISION ROBOT CELL FOR THE PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY
- ROBOT SALES REACH ALL TIME HIGH