Factory Automation Market - Forecasts from 2024 to 2029

The factory automation market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.08%, from US$337.060 billion in 2024 to US$520.408 billion in 2029.

This growth is mainly attributed to the growing adoption of advanced technologies and automatic control devices that contribute to enhanced productivity and reduced production costs. Additionally, in developed economies such as the United States and Europe, the availability of skilled labor is a significant issue where factory automation effectively serves the purpose. This is because, with the rising penetration of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence and robots, among others, automation facilitates activities such as material handling and quick production tasks.

Furthermore, the development of 5G wireless technology coupled with the rising adoption of Industry 4.0 is anticipated to drive the demand for factory automation solutions until the forecast period in key industries such as pharmaceutical, automotive, and manufacturing. For instance, according to the World Economic Forum, the adoption of the Advanced Manufacturing Hub Strategy in Saudi Arabia targets to increase the number of factories to 36,000 by 2035 from around 10,000 in 2023, including 4000 factories to be fully automated in upcoming years. This also includes an investment of around US$273 billion aimed at diversification of the industrial sector.

Moreover, the rising trade in automation equipment will significantly boost market growth in the long term. For instance, as per the International Trade Administration, the United States is a key source of innovation for the automation industry, exporting around $13 billion of automation equipment in 2022.

Furthermore, companies focus on augmenting their manufacturing capabilities and launching new product lines to meet the growing demand for factory automation. For instance, in 2022, Emerson announced the launch of its programmable automation controllers (PAC) known as PACSystems™ RSTi-EP CPE 200. The product is cost-effective, provides ready-to-support analytics, and provides users with a competitive advantage with enhanced efficiency in the long term.

FACTORY AUTOMATION MARKET DRIVERS:

The growing adoption of industrial automation worldwide is expected to propel the market growth.

One of the prime reasons supporting this market’s growth is the growing industrial automation worldwide. Industrial automation minimizes human intervention in industry and incorporates control systems and information technologies to handle all industrial processes.

Moreover, the development of the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and Industrial 4.0 are the latest technological approaches that foster the production and management of the entire logistics chain, thereby giving rise to smart factory automation in the industrial sector. Moreover, automation in the automotive sector is also anticipated to be a major driving factor in the upcoming years. This incorporates the application of assembly robots in expansion to robotic process automation (RPA) that empowers automation of monotonous tasks, and robotics for other collaborative purposes. Moreover, the increasing drift of replacing traditional vehicles with EVs will give additional driving force to the rising demand within the automotive industry.

Besides, according to estimates from the Manufacturing Institute (MI), the overall number of unfulfilled occupations in the manufacturing division is anticipated to reach 2.1 million, a result of the lack of a skilled labor force. This highlights favorable prospects for factory automation's growth and expansion, incorporating advanced technologies in major industrial sectors in the upcoming years.

Additionally, key developments in the market are expected to propel market growth during the forecast period. For instance, in 2023, ABB launched its ABB Ability™ Symphony® Plus distributed control system, which targets to support digital transformation in the power and water industries. The product provides customers with a secure OPC UA1 connection to the cloud and edge without interference with other automation functionalities and core control systems.

Factory Automation Market Case Study:

Xiaomi case study

Technological advancements are playing a huge role in manufacturing these days. Companies are switching towards new automation techniques to reach their maximum potential. In this context, Xiaomi took an important step towards factory automation with innovative products that stand out and embrace the concept of smart production. In 2023, Xiaomi’s Zeng Xuezhong, responsible for research, development, and manufacturing, announced at the World Robot Conference that the company had completed the second phase of Xiaomi Smart Factory. This step signifies the leap toward smart manufacturing and industrial automation using technology.

The scope of the second phase was quite extensive, and it encompasses a method spanning from Surface Mount Technology (SMT) and patches to card testing, assembly, complete machine testing, and finally, finished product packaging. This process will increase the production process easily and will make the production process faster. The company’s phase two was 10 times the size of phase one. This growth will reflect Xiaomi’s confidence and commitment to smart manufacturing and factory automation. The company is ready to start its production using smart production capacity in 2024.

The implementation of Xiaomi Smart Factory's second phase is concrete evidence of the expansion in the field of smart automation and industrial automation. Additionally, Xiaomi’s leadership and innovative approach in this area is a significant step in shaping the world for new technology and including technology in manufacturing. This development is pivotal from the point of view that smart manufacturing systems influence the production process and also shape industrial automation and innovation.

Xiaomi plans to build unmanned next-generation smart factories that are smart manufacturing and involve as little labor as possible. The company has also signed agreements with the Chinese government to expand its production line. Xiaomi's first electric car factory will be built in the suburbs of Beijing. Using its new factory automation technology, Xiaomi plans to take the biggest leap in the electronics vehicle segment. Xiaomi has partnered with the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area Committee (BDA) to build a manufacturing plant.

Hence, to conclude the case study, the company is heavily focused on manufacturing and developing new technological solutions for electric vehicles. This is expected to be the major area of focus with new up-and-coming technology like factory automation.

Factory Automation Market Key Developments:

• April 2024- FANUC America showcased its new range of cobots, robots, AI, and motion control innovation at the “Automate 2024” in Chicago. Through its new offerings, the company aims to help start-ups and OEMs enhance their productivity and reduce labor restraints.
• April 2023- Okuma America Corporation launched its new factory automation division, headquartered in North Carolina, USA. This division will cater to the demand for manufacturers seeking automation system adoption to address labor shortages.

Key Market Segmentation:

The Factory Automation Market is segmented and analyzed as below:

By Product Type

• Sensors
• Motion & Drives
• Industrial Control System
• Manufacturing Execution Systems
• Software
• Others

By Automation Type

• Fixed
• Programmable
• Flexible

By Industry Vertical

• Oil and Gas
• Pharmaceutical
• Automotive
• Energy and Power
• Printing and Packaging
• Chemical
• Manufacturing
• Others

By Geography

• North America
• United States
• Canada
• Mexico
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Others
• Europe
• United Kingdom
• Germany
• France
• Italy
• Spain
• Others
• Middle East and Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE
• Israel
• Others
• Asia Pacific
• China
• Japan
• India
• South Korea
• Indonesia
• Thailand
• Others