Sepro Robotique 2013 sales
Robotics supplier Sepro Robotique has stated that 2013 will enter the record books as the best sales year ever in its 40-year history.
The group states that in the last 12 months it has sold 1650 robots and sprue pickers to customers around the world — a 26% increase on 2012. Jean-Michel Renaudeau, CEO of Sepro, La Roche sur Yon, France, acknowledged the overall strength of the global plastics market, but noted that several other factors played into his company’s success this year.
“Over the last five years,” Renaudeau said, “we have invested heavily in the development of new robot technology, expanding our presence in key global markets, and building strong partnerships with automation specialists and injection moulding machine manufacturers. Our product line is almost completely new in the last three years and now includes new 3-, 5- and 6-axis robots as well as specialty robots for in-mould labelling, two-material moulding and three-plate moulds. Our Touch and Visual control systems are also evolving so that customers can have the same easy-to-use platform whether they need the simplest 3-axis functionality or complex multi-axis capabilities inside and outside the moulding area. Finally, our close ties to injection-moulding OEMs mean processors can get all the benefits of Sepro technology in a complete and integrated moulding package. No matter what their application, no matter where they are located, no matter what their operating parameters, Sepro has options that can meet their needs. That is what we call ‘Your Free Choice in Robots’ and we think that is why more and more companies are choosing Sepro robots every year.”
Another boost for the group was its participation at K 2013. Exhibiting with a bigger stand than in previous years, Sepro says it has made contact with 65% more customers and prospects than at the previous show in 2010.
In 2008, Sepro Robotique was mainly a European supplier, with nearly three quarters of its sales France, Germany and other European countries. Today, sales outside Europe have increased by almost half. North America has become Sepro’s largest market with more than 20% of global sales, Latin America has jumped to 10% and Asia has doubled its share. At the same time, sales in Germany have held steady while most other European regions have seen significant increases.
The growth in North America and Germany, Sepro’s top two global markets, has been supported by moving these regional daughter companies into new expanded facilities and by adding personnel.
In 2012, Sepro Germany made the move to a new plant in Dietzenbach near Frankfurt. Not only did the new building offer more space for administration and sales, but it also opened about 700m2 of floor space for robot engineering, assembly, testing and training. Sepro Germany also strengthened its sales and service staff. Elsewhere in Europe, daughter companies in the UK, Spain and the Benelux countries are also growing along with Scandinavia and Eastern Europe, where Sepro is represented by independent distributors.
