Bergur Thormundsson
Research expert covering technology in the Nordics, AI and smart cities
KUKA Group - statistics & facts
KUKA Group is a German company which provides industrial automation solutions and is best known for the manufacturing of industrial and collaborative robots. In 2020, KUKA Group generated a total revenue of around 2.6 billion euros, about 19 percent less than in 2019. Other robotics companies reported lower revenues in 2020 as well, pointing to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on manufacturing industries worldwide.
Although the industry was hit by the pandemic, the market for robots is projected to grow considerably in the coming years. Valued at some 37.9 billion U.S. dollars in 2020, the market is expected to reach the size of 70.6 billion U.S. dollars by 2028.
In 2016, Chinese company Midea Group, known for selling consumer electronic appliances and air conditioners, bought a majority stake in KUKA Group, raising concerns in Europe about Chinese investments in high-end technology companies.
Presently, KUKA Group’s biggest competitors include Japan-based Mitsubishi Electric, FANUC, Yaskawa, and the Switzerland-based ABB Robotics. Like KUKA Group, these companies offer a wide range of industrial and collaborative robots.
Although the industry was hit by the pandemic, the market for robots is projected to grow considerably in the coming years. Valued at some 37.9 billion U.S. dollars in 2020, the market is expected to reach the size of 70.6 billion U.S. dollars by 2028.
KUKA Group is one of the biggest players in the robotics market
KUKA Group’s products range from spot- welding robots to medical devices that are used in a wide array of industries, including automotive and aerospace manufacturing. In 2020, the KUKA Group made almost 900 million euros from robot sales alone, making it the sixth-largest robot manufacturer in the world in terms of revenue.In 2016, Chinese company Midea Group, known for selling consumer electronic appliances and air conditioners, bought a majority stake in KUKA Group, raising concerns in Europe about Chinese investments in high-end technology companies.
KUKA’s history and competitors
The company was founded in 1898 in Augsburg, Germany, as an acetylene gas plant, providing cheap lighting solutions for households, municipalities, and the automotive industry. Over the years, KUKA expanded to include welding technology and eventually started offering electrical welding systems for various industries, such as the automotive and home appliance industry. In 1973, KUKA constructed its first industrial robot; however, it was not until 1978 that the company began mass producing industrial robots.Presently, KUKA Group’s biggest competitors include Japan-based Mitsubishi Electric, FANUC, Yaskawa, and the Switzerland-based ABB Robotics. Like KUKA Group, these companies offer a wide range of industrial and collaborative robots.
