Robot Investment Cycles and Capital Equipment
The lag
Capital equipment orders follow investment decisions by six to eighteen months. What appears in the trade press today usually reflects decisions taken a year ago, which is why news coverage is a poor timing signal for a supplier's sales plan.
Better indicators
| Indicator | Signal |
|---|---|
| Capacity announcements | Future equipment demand |
| Order backlogs at vendors | Delivery lead times |
| Labour availability in target industries | Automation urgency |
| Financing conditions | Whether projects proceed |