The German economy is facing difficult challenges. Shortage of skilled workers, difficult delivery conditions and high energy costs. German SMEs in particular are affected by these things. According to a global survey by the Manpower Group, 75% of all entrepreneurs stated that it is difficult to fill positions. Physically demanding and at the same time monotonous tasks are particularly affected. Here, the fluctuation of skilled workers is particularly high.
Remedy through industrial robots
"In times of a shortage of skilled workers, the concern of employees that they might be replaced by a robot in production, which used to be so present, is hardly an issue anymore. We also get feedback in discussions with customers that many are happy to hand over tasks that strain their backs, wrists or nerves," explains Gerhard Müller, robotics division at KUKA Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
Robots are already in use today for palletizing, loading, and unloading machines, quality control or welding. Increasingly, they are also being used outside the already highly automated automotive industry. However, the Augsburg-based automation company KUKA has observed reticence among small and medium-sized companies. In the opinion of many entrepreneurs, this is too complex, too expensive and there is too much skepticism in the team. However, this picture is currently changing.
Less skepticism through positive testimonials
A galvanizing plant with 65 employees from the Black Forest, for example, was able to reduce reservations within its own ranks by purchasing a compact robotic welding cell, save long transport distances and even win new customers. Similar examples can be found at the family-owned company STELA, which was able to increase its productivity, or at the small brewery Fiedler in the Erz Mountains, where a KUKA robot stacks the heavy beer crates.
Small companies are increasingly seizing the opportunities that lie in automating tasks. The robots would also be quickly absorbed into the team and could complement it very well. Many customers give KUKA feedback that they were able to assign more interesting tasks to their employees after automation.
"Many users even give our robots names," says Müller.
Calculation example of robot utilization
An example shows the time it takes for a robot to pay for itself. A typical solution, in which a KUKA robot takes over the welding, costs about 110,000 euros. The price includes a project-specific fixture for welding, the welding technology, programming of the robot, as well as commissioning on site at the end customer and training of the employees. The cost of an employee who would otherwise take on this task is around 40,000 euros per year. In two-shift operation, personnel costs of 80,000 euros must be expected. According to industry-standard ROI calculators, the investment in the robotic solution has paid for itself after 17 months.
A company that uses robots also shows that it is positioning itself for the future and is investing in new technologies and thus in innovation, which also makes it more attractive to new applicants.