What was foreshadowed at the beginning of the year will become a bitter reality in the late summer of 2024. Many robot integrators are struggling to survive. IBK-Ingenieurconsulting from Hannover had to file for bankruptcy in June, as did Marc Engineering, while some were able to find an investor again – but mostly from local networks.
M&A consultants can barely keep up with their acquisition lists. “These are not investments in the future or in new ideas and products, but some are just getting a bit of breathing space. That is why they don't make a big splash,” says an industry insider. At most, the local media report on business closures and new partners who put up money. Curiously, in times of need, some try to quickly set up a web shop, but this usually comes far too late.
Not everyone can find a backer these days. Many companies are reeling – the Southwest is particularly hard hit, according to robotics sources. "The mood is bad," say many integrators. The automotive industry is massively scaling back projects, framework agreements are not being called, projects have been and are being delayed, and many companies are currently launching very small robotics projects that promise hardly any margin. Many integrators have made a lot of money in the automotive industry over the past few years, perhaps putting too much on one card. For every 20 or so automotive projects an integrator has, there are only three or four from other sectors.
"The delay of projects in particular is a big problem right now. You have invested as an integrator and the customer is not moving forward with the project, but you cannot bill yet. That is certainly a tactic for some people, and then you lose out.”
Then there are the newcomers. The many Chinese robotics companies that have been looking for integrators for their robots for several weeks now. We do not know if Gerald Mies, the new European head of Estun Automation, is also looking. Estun is one of the biggest Chinese robot manufacturers. In a press release, former Kuka manager Mies says, “As a manufacturer, we are geared to local conditions and will offer a strong price/performance ratio.” This includes high availability, delivery capability, service and the spare parts business. "We are already very European-oriented with our product range. Integrators are also likely to be needed. But simply changing robot manufacturer will not help everyone.”
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