The automation and robotics specialist Kuka recorded significant growth in the second quarter. Group-wide sales increased by 48.5% to 808.2 million euros compared to the same period last year. Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) amounted to +25.6 million euros. In the second quarter of 2020, the Augsburg-based company reported a loss of 43.9 million euros. The Group increased its order intake by 80.9%.

In the first half of the year, incoming orders amounted to just under 1.9 billion euros. This means that the Augsburg-based company recorded the second-highest order intake in its history during this period. "Our focus areas of robotics and automation are more in demand than ever," said Peter Mohnen, CEO of Kuka. "We are benefiting from Kuka's global orientation, with strong growth in Asia and North America."

Boost from the automotive industry in North America

The Systems division benefited from increased demand in the USA. Car manufacturers there are increasingly investing in electromobility. According to the company, the order situation in Europe remained difficult. Overall, incoming orders at Systems rose sharply to EUR 640.7 million in the first half of the year (H1/2020: EUR 239.5 million).

In China, the company recorded an increase in incoming orders of 83.7% in the second quarter and 43.2% in the first half of the year compared to the same periods of the previous year. Here, too, Kuka was able to win orders and projects from new areas such as e-mobility and general industry, including e-commerce, in addition to traditional areas.

New products and sustainable robotics ensure growth

Peter Mohnen, CEO of Kuka.

© Kuka

The ratio of incoming orders to sales (book-to-bill ratio) increased in almost all business segments and stood at 1.23 across the Group in the first half of the year. "Although the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and global supply bottlenecks pose risks, we are confident about the second half of the year. Our strategy and our investments in research and development are paying off. We generated more than a third of our Robotics sales in the first half of the year with product innovations from recent years. We also have a firm focus on sustainability," says Mohnen.

Product innovations include new products such as the KR Iontec, the KR Scara and the KR C5 robot controller. According to the company's own calculations, the new generation of KR Quantec robots also score points with up to 45% lower energy consumption compared to the previous generation.

"We will continue to drive innovation forward in order to strengthen Kuka as a global player. Our goal is to conquer new areas and future markets and to support our customers here with the right products and solutions," says Mohnen. These include areas of general industry such as e-commerce or consumer goods, new technologies such as e-mobility or solutions for small and medium-sized enterprises.