Universal Robots

Universal Robots was founded in 2005 with the goal of making robotic technologies accessible to everyone by developing compact, easy-to-use and affordable versatile industrial robots that are safe to work with.

The company produces robotic manipulators - a modern tool that can be used by personnel of any level to improve performance, reduce injuries and improve discipline. Using Universal Robots robotic manipulators, it is possible to automate and optimize repetitive or potentially dangerous processes so that employees can tackle other tasks that require creativity.

The company, part of Teradyne Inc., headquartered in Odense, Denmark has subsidiaries and regional offices in,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, and USA Germany France Spain Italy Czech Republic To Poland Hungary Romania Russia Turkey China India Singapore Japan South Korea Taiwan Mexico.

Performance indicators

2023: Universal Robots Global Industrial Robotics Market Share - 4%

Based on 2023 data

2021: Revenue growth 41%, to $311 million

In 2021, Universal Robots' revenue reached $311 million, a record high for a Danish manufacturer of collaborative robots (cobots). Relative to 2020, sales at the company increased by 41%, and in comparison with 2019, when there was no COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, - by 23%. The press service of Universal Robots announced this at the end of January 2022.

Our growth was driven by a number of long-term trends, including a shortage of labor and a growing understanding of how automation can improve production efficiency, says Universal Robots President Kim Povlsen, commenting on the company's financial results. - New customers come to us, and those who already use cobots and see the result expand their use.

Cobot maker Universal Robots boosts revenue by 41%

Demand for collaborative robots is growing, Poulsen said, and the Universal Robots ecosystem is growing with it. By the end of 2021, the manufacturer worked with more than 1,000 independent companies, including suppliers of components, nodes and applications, certified integrators and distributors.

In its message, Universal Robots noted that the production department in Denmark broke an internal record by collecting 400 kobots in one week in October-December 2021. Supply chain specialists had a difficult time - they ensured the smooth operation of the enterprise despite global supply problems, said Kim Poulsen.

Universal Robots is part of the Teradyne group, which in 2021 raised $376 million, which is 34% more than a year ago at $280 million. Thus, Universal Robots accounted for most of the revenue. Teradyne also includes robot manufacturers AutoGuide Mobile Robots, Energid and Mobile Industrial Robots.^[1]

2020

Jürgen von Hollen's resignation as president

President of Universal Robots (UR) Jürgen von Hollen decided to leave his post. This became known on November 23, 2020. Prior to the appointment of another UR president, his duties will be performed by Gregory Smith, president of the Teradyne industrial automation group. Read more here.

Creating a collaborative robot center in Denmark with Mobile Industrial Robots and Teradyne

On February 6, 2020, TAdviser became known that with the financial support of Teradyne (USA), Mobile Industrial Robots (MiR) and Universal Robots (UR) purchased a 50,000 m2 construction site in Odense, $36 million will be invested in the creation of a large kobot center in the global "capital of the Kobots." Collaborative robots (or cobots) are the fastest-growing segment of industrial automation. Cobots are easy-to-use robots that can work with people, do not require a protective fence, thereby improving not only the working environment, but also productivity.

The Cobot Center is fully consistent with Teradyne's mission to further strengthen the benefits that MiR and UR have achieved globally.

MiR and UR are companies in the field of collaborative robotics, they create affordable production automation solutions for companies of all sizes. Teradyne continues to actively invest in the development of modern products, solutions and in the development of sales channels, and this facility is a key element of our growth strategy. There is something special about Denmark. Industrial developments and a practical business approach made this country an ideal place for the development of the robot industry, says Mark Jagiela, President and CEO of Teradyne

This is not the first time MiR and UR have provided financial support to Denmark's robot industry. For February 2020, Teradyne has invested more than half a billion US dollars in two young, fast-growing Danish companies that develop robots. Jobs are expected to grow further.

The construction site is located in the industrial area of ​ ​ the city of Odense near the current headquarters of UR, which will also become part of the cobot center being created. Both companies will continue to operate as separate enterprises in order to create a comfortable working environment. This will help attract employees, and, accordingly, contribute to the further growth that both companies expect in the coming years.

Denmark occupies a significant place in the global cobot market. Investing in a cobot center here in Odense is a logical solution. Creating a professional environment with advanced production facilities allows us to attract talent from all over the world, says Thomas Visti, chief executive of Mobile Industrial Robots

MiR hired 100 additional employees in 2019, and UR has recruited 280 new workers in the past two years. As of February 6, 2020, 160 and 450 people work in two companies in Denmark, respectively. UR has nearly 700 employees worldwide, while MiR has a total workforce of about 220.

Jürgen von Hollen, president of Universal Robots, sees huge potential in the cobot market.

{{quote 'author=says UR President' ABI Research predicts this market will grow to nearly US $12 billion in 2030. The demand for Danish cobots already means that we will grow out of our current offices in Odense, this applies to both UR and MiR. Odense has a powerful "talent ecosystem," and we are excited about the possibility of long-term investment in the robotic environment that we have built here over the past 10 years, }}

In Denmark, the robotics industry is rapidly developing. Thus, an annual study by the Odense Robotics trade association, conducted in 2019, shows that 8500 people work in Danish robotics companies for the naalo of 2020, of which 3900 people in Odense, the third largest city in Denmark, and its environs. If the industry develops according to forecasts, Denmark's robotics industry will employ 25,000 employees in 2025, according to Danish analytics firm Damvad.

At the same time, not only the number of employees is increasing. In 2018, the combined revenue of Denmark's robotics companies rose 18 percent, reaching US $995 million with a 26 percent increase in exports. These figures are especially significant in the context that just 15 years ago in Denmark there was no robotics at all as an industry worthy of mention.

Running a leasing program in cooperation with DLL

On January 16, 2020, it became known that Universal Robots (UR), a manufacturer of collaborative robots (cobots), is launching a manipulator leasing program together with a large financial company DLL. Such cooperation will allow producers, regardless of scale or budget, to take advantage of automation without worrying about financial and seasonal fluctuations.

We create a level playing field for business, allowing manufacturers to purchase and implement cobots without prior investment. UR Financial Services provides enterprises with a fast, secure and financially convenient model that will speed up the process of automating production processes. The cooperation of UR and DLL will enable manufacturers to modernize the cobots already implemented in the line, add various accessories to them, and also purchase cobots for the test period - giving end users maximum performance, quality and profit growth without increasing costs or expenses. narrated by Klaus Westergaard, CFO of Universal Robots

DLL offers UR customers personalized financing and leasing programs designed to meet the needs of today's manufacturing business. As business needs change, customers will be able to plan for cash flow fluctuations, upgrade equipment, or purchase cobots at any time during the contract term. At the end of the funding term, customers will be able to redeem equipment at a fraction of the original cost, upgrade it to the latest technology, extend the funding term, or simply return the equipment.

We are delighted with our partnership with Universal Robots. The market in which we operate is developing rapidly. Through this partnership, we are able to offer financial solutions for a wide variety of automation tools. Kobots are transforming industry, and UR is a leader in this market. Our personalized financial solutions provide UR product users with an affordable way to reduce the risk of introducing cobots by moving from ownership to flexible financing, based on specific business needs. Manufacturers and operators on the lines will be able to build production processes in such a way as to successfully compete and flourish, and managers will deal with strategic tasks, says Neil Garnett, president of DLL's international construction, transportation and industry division

Financing specialists will work in each country and region of the Universal Robots distribution network, which will allow manufacturers to take advantage of various payment and leasing options, regardless of their location. With deep asset expertise, flexible financial solutions and strategic marketing resources, DLLs will support UR in its growth strategy. At the same time, customers will still be able to enjoy the benefits of working with UR, including international presence, local support, service and service, offers for training at UR Academy and a global network of authorized training centers, as well as access to UR + Ecosystem.

2019: Katerina Slanska, Universal Robots - on how robots can reduce labor shortages in factories

In November 2019, in an interview with TAdviser, Universal Robots Marketing Manager in Central and Eastern Europe, Russia and the CIS Katerina Slanska spoke about what collaborative robots are, about the common and unusual areas of their use and about the attitude of customers to them in Russia. Read more here.

2018: Revenue - $234 million

Universal Robots had revenue of US $234 million in 2018.