I - 67 - I
germany
In 2019, the two single most important markets for German exporters of robotic units were China (140,500) and the United States (33,339). Overall, China remains the world’s largest importer of robotics and automation solutions and a key market and destination for German exporters. In terms of robot density (robots’ utilization per 10,000 worker), Germany ranks 4th in the world with a value of 346 units per 10,000 workers in 2019, after Singapore (918), Korea (855) and, Japan (364). The USA ranks 9th with 228, China is 15st (187).
Trends include the utilization of artificial intelligence, human-robot collaboration, digital transformation in production, service robotics in the commercial and health industry, collaborative robots and mobile platforms, and robot leasing incl. Robot as a Service – RaaS. According to industry experts the future of manufacturing will become more resilient through a higher degree and integration of industrial automation and robotics usage. For further information on Robotics & Automation, please contact Klaus Jonas, Trade Specialist, U.S. Commercial Service Dusseldorf, Email: [email protected].
Best Prospects for U.S. Exports
Market Access
U.S. Exporters seeking to sell products in the European Union and its member states must undergo a thorough assessment of, and ensure compliance with, existing European Commission Directives, i.e. regulatory requirements regarding technical specifications, product safety, as well as environmental impact & footprint. In addition to compliance with the legal requirements of an EU member state as well as relevant EC/UNECE directives and regulations, U.S. exporters are advised to asses and obtain evidence of compliance with relevant technical norms and standards via an accredited testing & (technical) consulting service provider. Please contact the U.S. Commercial Service in Europe for further information and assistance on compliance with European Directives and industry standards: http://2016.export.gov/europeanunion
Overall, Germany remains open for new products and suppliers. Business opportunities exist for innovative products, services and business models, especially in high-tech sectors. Overall, Germany is a highly sophisticated and competitive market with many German manufacturers and suppliers as world leaders in their respective sectors. New-to-market (NTM) companies must be prepared to face competition from locally established and globally operating companies with a local presence and established market shares. Successful market access strategies for NTM companies in most cases involve a local market presence which may involve one (or a combination) of below options: