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‘Manufacturing Robot Installed Base to Hit 16.3 Million Amid Baby Boomer Exodus’

by Pieter Werner

The global installed base of commercial and industrial robots is projected to reach 16.3 million by 2030 as manufacturers address labor shortages exacerbated by the retirement of baby boomers, according to a report by ABI Research. This demographic shift, combined with a declining interest in manufacturing careers among younger generations, has contributed to over 600,000 unfilled positions in the U.S. manufacturing sector as of January 2024, based on data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Michael Larner, Distinguished Analyst at ABI Research, highlighted the need for manufacturers to view these changes as an opportunity to modernize operations rather than simply replace outgoing workers with technology. The integration of robots and other digital tools will redefine manufacturing roles, creating demand for skills in areas such as robot programming and machine learning model development. Larner emphasized that the future workforce must be adept in data analytics to monitor asset performance and optimize overall equipment effectiveness (OEE).

The report identifies prominent companies such as Mitsubishi Electric, Rockwell Automation, PTC, and Siemens as key beneficiaries of this trend, alongside smaller firms like Crosser, Litmus, Machine Metrics, Seeq, Sight Machine, and Tulip. These entities are expected to provide the tools and platforms necessary for manufacturers to navigate this transition.

A critical concern for manufacturers is the potential loss of “tribal knowledge”—the specialized expertise of retiring employees. Larner stressed the importance of capturing this knowledge as part of a comprehensive workforce planning strategy. He advocated for enhanced mentoring and knowledge-sharing processes to complement investments in digital technologies.

To address the talent gap, manufacturers and technology firms are encouraged to collaborate with educational institutions to promote manufacturing as a viable and attractive career option. By aligning educational curricula with industry needs, manufacturers aim to equip future recruits with the skills necessary to meet the evolving demands of the sector.

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