Universal Robots

Universal Robots was founded in 2005 with the goal of making robotic technologies accessible to all by developing compact, easy-to-use and affordable universal 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 increase productivity, reduce injuries and improve discipline. Using Universal Robots robotic manipulators, you can automate and optimize repetitive or potentially dangerous processes, so that employees can deal with other tasks that require creativity.

Teradyne Inc., headquartered in Odense, Denmark, has subsidiaries and regional offices in the United States, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, the Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, Romania, Russia, Turkey, China, India, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and Mexico.

Performance indicators

2021: Revenue growth by 41%, up to $311 million

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

Our growth was driven by a number of long-term trends, including labor shortages and a growing understanding of how automation can increase production efficiency, "says Kim Povlsen, president of Universal Robots, 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.

Coboat manufacturer Universal Robots increased revenue by 41%

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

In her message, Universal Robots noted that the production department in Denmark broke an internal record, collecting 400 cobots 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, Kim Poulsen said.

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

Resignation of Jürgen von Hollen as president

The 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 Teradyne's industrial automation group. More details here.

Establishment of a collaborative robot centre 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 creating a large cobots center in the world "capital of cobots." 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 the installation of a protective fence, thereby improving not only the working environment, but also the performance.

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

Companies MiR and UR are companies in the field of collaborative robotics, they create affordable solutions for automation of production 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 object is a key element of our growth strategy. There's something special about Denmark. Industrial developments and a practical business approach have 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 that MiR and UR provide financial support to the Danish robot industry. As of February 2020, Teradyne has invested more than half a billion US dollars in two young fast-growing Danish companies that are developing robots. The number of jobs is expected to grow further.

The construction site is located in the industrial district of Odense near the current headquarters of UR, which will also become part of the cobots center being created. Both companies will continue their activities 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 cobots market. Investing in a coboot center here in Odense is a logical solution. Creating a professional environment with advanced production facilities allows us to attract talents from all over the world, says Thomas Visti, CEO of Mobile Industrial Robots

In 2019, the company MiR hired 100 additional employees, and UR over the past two years has accepted 280 new employees. As of February 6, 2020, 160 and 450 people work in two companies in Denmark, respectively. UR employs nearly 700 employees worldwide, while the total staff of the MiR is about 220 employees.

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

{{quote 'author = says President UR' ABI Research predicts this market will grow to nearly $12 billion in 2030. The demand for Danish cobots already means that we will grow from our current offices in Odense, this applies to both UR and MiR. Odense has a powerful "talent ecosystem," and we welcome the opportunity for 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. So, the annual study of the Odense Robotics trade association, conducted in 2019, shows that 8,500 people work in Danish robotics companies at the beginning of 2020, of which 3900 people in Odense, the third largest city in Denmark, and its environs. If the industry develops in accordance with forecasts, in 2025, the Danish robotics industry will employ 25,000 employees, according to the Danish analytical firm Damvad.

At the same time, not only the number of employees increases. In 2018, the total revenue of Danish robotics companies grew by 18 percent, reaching $995 million with an increase in exports of 26 percent. These figures are especially significant in the context that only 15 years ago in Denmark there was no robotics at all as an industry worth mentioning.

Launch of 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 manufacturers, regardless of scale or budget, to take advantage of automation without worrying about financial and seasonal fluctuations.

We create equal conditions 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 accelerate the process of automation of production processes. The collaboration of UR and DLL will allow manufacturers to upgrade the cobots already implemented in the line, add various accessories to them, as well as purchase cobots for a test period - giving end users maximum performance, quality and profit growth without increasing costs or expenses, tells Klaus Westergaard, CFO of Universal Robots

DLL offers UR customers personalized financing and leasing programs designed to meet the needs of the modern manufacturing business. As business needs change, customers will be able to plan payments according to cash flow fluctuations, update equipment, or purchase cobots at any time during the contract term. At the end of the financing period, customers will be able to buy the equipment for part of the original cost, update it in accordance with the latest technologies, extend the financing period or simply return the equipment.

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

Funding specialists will work in each country and region of the Universal Robots distribution network, which will allow manufacturers to use various payment and leasing options, regardless of their location. With deep asset expertise, flexible financial solutions and strategic marketing resources, DLL specialists will support UR in implementing 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, training offers at UR Academy and the 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 at factories

In November 2019, in an interview with TAdviser, the marketing manager of Universal Robots 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 application and about the attitude of customers to them in Russia. More details here.

2018

In 2018, the revenue of Universal Robots amounted to 234 million dollars US dollars.