According to updated research by market intelligence firm Interact Analysis, the collaborative robot (cobot) market will enjoy modest growth out to 2032, with annual growth rates sitting at around 20 percent. ‘Collaboration’ between humans and robots is now widely accepted so robot manufacturers suggest that the key to future success will be their ability to scale up production and develop new application scenarios. The logistics industry will also play an important role in this growth trajectory. 

Updated research from Interact Analysis shows the geared motors and industrial gears market experienced strong growth in 2021. The market expanded by 16 percent last year, with the sharp rise driven by price increases. On average, the selling price for geared motors and gearboxes increased by 7.8 percent in 2021, with further price rises forecast in 2022. 

Interact Analysis have recently released the 3rd edition of the Geared Motors and Industrial (Heavy-Duty) Gears report. This market study covers finished geared motors and gearboxes for general industrial use, including light- and heavy-duty products, as well as planetary gears, with the exclusion of precision gearboxes and loose gear parts. In this edition, amidst global macroeconomic uncertainty, market trend projections have become more volatile compared to previous years.

With over 200 years of combined experience, Interact Analysis is the market intelligence authority for global supply chain automation. Our research covers the entire automation value chain – from the technology used to automate factory production, through inventory storage and distribution channels, to the transportation of the finished goods. The world’s leading companies trust us to surface robust insights and opportunities for technology-driven growth.

The top three suppliers of low voltage AC motors made waves in the motor and drives space with a string of acquisition announcements in August. First, WEG announced its acquisition of Gefran’s motion control business. Then, on August 11th, ABB announced its acquisition of Siemens’ NEMA motor business. Both developments are significant within the motor and drives market and serve to highlight portions of each company’s industrial automation strategy. In this insight, we’ll unpack both of these acquisitions and explain their implications on the broader motor and drives markets.

Electric steel is used heavily in the manufacturing of electric motors. The material is key to producing the electromagnetic field used to turn the rotor. Without the electromagnetic properties associated with this iron alloy, the performance of electric motors would be substantially compromised. Historically, motors used in commercial and industrial applications have represented a major customer base for electric steel suppliers, and motor vendors have resultingly had little difficultly ensuring prioritized supply lines. However, the share of business held by commercial and industrial electric motor vendors is being threatened by the automotive sector in the wake of electric vehicles.