Robotics and automation companies in the Odense Robotics cluster significantly strengthened their global footprint in 2019. Companies increased their workforce abroad by 25% last year to 950 employees, almost double the number than two years ago. Meanwhile, companies increased their workforce in the cluster in Denmark by 8% to 3,900 people. The new figures are published today in Odense Robotics’ Insight Report, which tracks the cluster’s development.
“Many robotic companies are born global, and Odense’s industry is no exception. New figures from this year’s Odense Robotics Insight Report show that the cluster now employs close to 5,000 people in total worldwide. Having established strong R&D functions in their home market, this report clearly demonstrates that robot and automation companies in the Odense area of Denmark are expanding globally more than ever before,” says Mikkel Christoffersen, Cluster Director, Odense Robotics.
While key markets within robotics and automation are currently experiencing a slowdown, the cluster’s strong focus on internationalisation generated impressive financial results in 2018 – the latest available figures for the cluster’s financial performance. Despite challenging market conditions, many companies expect continued strong growth.
Exports rose by an impressive 26% to reach EUR 643 million in 2018 compared with the previous year. And figures show that export growth is set to continue. More than 80% of companies plan to export in the future, a steep rise from the situation today where just over half of companies in the cluster export.
Turnover increased by 18% on 2017 to reach EUR 897 million in 2018 and the large majority of companies expect a more than 20% increase in turnover for 2020-2022 compared to 2018.
“Companies generated impressive growth in exports and turnover in 2018. While today’s challenging marketing conditions will inevitably have an impact on companies, new figures in our Insight Report show that many companies in Odense Robotics expect continued strong growth. More than 80% of companies in the cluster plan to export in the future and the large majority expect to increase turnover by more than 20% in the next couple of years. There is good reason to be optimistic,” says Christoffersen.
Collaboration is also thriving in the robotics industry across Denmark. More than 60% of companies on Funen collaborate with other robot and automation companies in the rest of Denmark. It’s time Denmark leveraged these synergies in a strong national setup that accelerates growth in Odense and across the country, says Mikkel Christoffersen.