Technical machinery in Poland: key trends, challenges and the future of the industry

Estimated reading time: 12 minutes

TL;DR:

• Technical machinery in Poland is key to maintaining competitiveness in industry.
• The current economic situation and high energy costs are prompting companies to make conscious investments.
• Automation and robotisation as part of Industry 4.0 are major trends driving productivity.
• The modernisation and personalisation of production lines allow precise adaptation to market needs.
• Implementing modern machinery and systems brings a rapid return on investment with proper planning.

Table of contents

- Introduction
- Situation on the technical machinery market in Poland in 2023
- Key trends in the engineering machinery sector
- What are the benefits of modern technical machinery
- How to choose the right technical machinery for your business
- The role of integration and automation in technical machinery
- The practical significance of robotisation in selected processes
- The future of technical machines
- Conclusions and recommendations
- Summary
- FAQ

Introduction

Technical machines play a role in industry that is difficult to overestimate. They form the foundation of many production processes and determine the speed and quality of the manufacture of a wide variety of goods. In today's demanding economic reality - burdened by the effects of global crises and technological challenges - the role of advanced technical machinery is constantly growing. For entrepreneurs, the key question becomes not 'whether' to invest, but 'how' to invest in new equipment.

In the following article, we will discuss the current market situation in Poland and look at the trends shaping the technical machinery industry. We will also suggest what types of solutions are worth considering and how to effectively plan the implementation of modern systems so that it coincides with the needs of the company and quickly brings a return on investment.

Situation on the technical machinery market in Poland in 2023

The Polish technical machinery market has undergone significant changes in recent years. The crises caused by the pandemic and then the armed conflict in Ukraine have strongly affected supply chains, energy prices and the dynamics of demand for industrial equipment. On the one hand, the demand for modern production lines is steadily increasing, which can be seen in the increased production volume of industrial processing. On the other - many investments in the machinery sector have been slowed down by rising production costs (primarily energy), availability of financing and economic uncertainty.

It is worth noting that Poland is still not among the largest manufacturers of machinery and equipment in the European Union. However, the situation is improved by specialisation in certain segments - especially where domestic manufacturers offer customised solutions rather than just general-purpose machinery. At the same time, many Polish companies are investing in development, gradually introducing elements of automation and robotics that respond to global trends of companies' transition towards Industry 4.0.

For 2023, experts predicted that the trend of slowing down in the area of new machinery purchases would continue. The reasons for this are primarily:

• high energy and raw material costs,
• delays in the supply of components,
• the caution of companies in planning new investments in a constantly changing geopolitical environment,
• Difficult access to finance, especially when European funding from the National Reconstruction Plan is lacking.

Despite the uncertain economic situation, companies in Poland are increasingly choosing to modernise their machinery or purchase new equipment. This is mainly influenced by the desire to reduce production costs, compete on international markets and the increasingly stringent requirements for energy efficiency and minimising pollutant emissions.

Key trends in the engineering machinery sector

Today's engineering machinery industry is increasingly relying on solutions that encourage productivity, energy efficiency and manufacturing flexibility. Below are the key trends to bear in mind when considering an investment in new machinery.

Automation and robotisation

Rising labour costs and the hassle of recruiting skilled staff mean that companies are increasingly keen to introduce elements of automation. This not only reduces costs, but also increases repeatability and achieves higher quality end products. Automation is supported by robotisation, both in the form of classic industrial robots and easy-to-use cobots (collaborative robots).

In this context, Michale Automatika, which is the official distributor of SIASUN robots, responds to the current needs of the market by offering both specialised systems for industry and assistance in implementing modern robotic working environments. If you want to learn more about the benefits of robotisation, check out
Robotisation on offer.

Digitisation and transformation towards Industry 4.0

Digitalisation includes advanced process management software (e.g. ERP and MES solutions), but also systems for remote monitoring of machine performance and condition. With the right digital platforms, businesses can more easily identify bottlenecks, plan production and develop methods for forecasting raw material requirements.

From the point of view of machine manufacturing companies, it is also important to integrate linear drives, vision systems and control sensors that continuously provide data. Such solutions are the basis for introducing autonomy and high precision in processes.

Personalisation and "tailor-made"

A large proportion of factories are looking for equipment that is tailored to the specifics of their own production. This means moving away from one-size-fits-all solutions to advanced machines configured for specific tasks. In this context, manufacturers of technical machinery in Poland are increasingly facing the challenge of creating flexible yet specialised lines.

Energy efficiency and ecology

Companies in the European Union, but not only there, are faced with regulations on reducing their carbon footprint. It is therefore no surprise that machine manufacturers are using new materials and control systems that reduce the need for energy or technical media (air, water). This is also the point at which optimum service and maintenance of machines during their life cycle becomes crucial.

What are the benefits of modern technical machinery

When considering investing in new technological solutions, entrepreneurs most often conduct a cost-benefit analysis. Below are the key advantages of implementing a new generation of machinery in a company.

Improving productivity and quality

Good technical machines can dramatically reduce the time spent on selected production operations. Lower failure rates and less downtime contribute to an increase in the number of finished products while maintaining high quality standards.

Reduction in operating costs

Companies that have equipment with a higher degree of automation use less energy per unit of production and require less human handling. The number of production errors also decisively decreases. Particularly significant savings come from the robotisation of processes with a high risk of error.

Flexibility to adapt to specific needs

Investing in universal machines may seem more cost-effective at first glance. However, companies are increasingly opting to develop a machinery park to suit individual requirements. As a result, they have ready-made workstations capable of supporting not only the main production process, but also additional operations or product lines.

Ease of integration with monitoring and management systems

Not least of the benefits of modern machines is the ability to quickly attach the equipment to the company's existing IT systems. For example, if you want to protect and develop robotic workstations, it is worth taking advantage of services combining consultancy, design and warranty and post-warranty service. For more on this topic, see
Service and maintenance of robot workstations.

How to choose the right technical machinery for your business

The decision to purchase new equipment should always be preceded by a thorough analysis of the company's needs and the setting of business priorities.

Identify key production parameters

At the outset, it is useful to establish whether the overriding goal is to increase productivity, quality or perhaps to introduce new types of products. With specific guidelines in place, it will be easier to review offers and match equipment to unique needs.

Check available technologies and solutions from competitors

Rather than focusing on reviewing only general-purpose machine offerings, it is a good idea to also examine specialised proposals from smaller suppliers. It is worth looking at features such as the control system, ease of integration into existing infrastructure, service schedule or software used.

Take into account the total cost of ownership (TCO)

Modern machines are not always cheap to buy, but their use can be more economical in the long term. The TCO analysis should include, among other things:

• energy costs,
• service and maintenance plan,
• possible upgrades,
• expenditure on operator training.

Pay attention to expandability (scalability)

The market is changing faster and faster, so when choosing technical machines, it is worth checking that provision is made for spare capacity, free ports, as well as software to support the adaptation of lines to new production variants.

The role of integration and automation in technical machinery

One of the most important factors for increasing the efficiency of machine parks is their efficient integration into the company's business processes. This is the area in which Michale Automation specialises, which, in addition to the comprehensive design and construction of technical machines, also supports the digitalisation and robotisation of production facilities.

Through an in-depth needs analysis, companies are provided with bespoke infrastructures that are easy to scale and convenient to use. Some companies are still concerned that line automation involves excessive expenditure, but there are proven ways to estimate the payback time of such an investment. Dedicated calculators can be used for this purpose, such as.
ROI calculator welding robotisation.

It is also worth bearing in mind that the greater the complexity of processes in a plant, the higher the potential for benefits from implementing automation. This applies to industries such as food processing, automotive or the furniture sector, among others, where the speed and precision of repetitive operations are crucial.

The practical significance of robotisation in selected processes

Although this text focuses on engineering machines as a broad category, it is difficult not to mention the benefits of implementing robotic solutions where worker exposure would be high or where a standard machine could generate errors. One example is the welding sector, where advanced robots not only work more efficiently in harsh conditions (high temperatures, harmful fumes), but also maintain a higher level of repeatability. For more inspiration, see our article
Welding robotics - offer.

The future of technical machines

Despite the macroeconomic challenges, the next few years are expected to bring further growth in demand for technical machinery in Poland and worldwide. Several factors favour the growth of the industry:

• The need for continuous modernisation (old machines have increasing problems with productivity and meeting environmental standards).
• The increasing availability of Industry 4.0 technologies (from vision systems to the internet of things, cloud solutions and predictive analytics).
• Demand for customised, flexible solutions in plants that want to produce more types of products on the same lines.
• Increase in the number of financing and support initiatives (e.g. the aforementioned EU funds) - despite the delays in accessing funds, entrepreneurs are counting on the final release of subsidies and soft loans, which can revitalise the entire machinery investment market.

The dynamic growth of the industry will be less evident in companies that do not invest in modern, integrated solutions. Those that bet on automation, digitalisation and eco-efficiency, on the other hand, can count on a noticeable increase in competitive advantage.

Conclusions and recommendations

- Engineering machinery is the foundation of many production processes and will become increasingly important.
- Investment in modern machinery requires a sound TCO analysis (taking into account energy, service and training costs, among other things).
- Polish manufacturers are becoming increasingly aware of market requirements, but long-term success depends on the implementation of energy-saving solutions and integration with IT systems.
- Robotisation and automation are not only important for large establishments; medium-sized and small companies can benefit equally well (especially in the context of market growth and labour shortages).
- The implementation of complex machines and robotic installations should be planned together with an optional process audit and analysis of company flows.

Summary

The technical machinery market in Poland has undergone a significant transformation in recent years. Despite macroeconomic difficulties and rising raw material costs, investments in modern equipment have not lost their significance - primarily due to increasing competition and the need to introduce solutions that ensure higher productivity and lower energy intensity of processes.

For businesses, it is proving crucial to maintain the continuity of supply chains and plan for an operating model in which the main routine tasks are taken over by robotic systems and staff can concentrate on activities that require creativity and supervision.

If you are looking for additional information about services that support companies on the road to automation - from concept development to integration and service - please visit
Automation services Michale.

We also encourage you to consider attending industry training courses and read our other publications on robotisation and automation. Follow the latest trends and expert opinions to effectively implement innovations and increase the competitiveness of your plant. Technical machines will undoubtedly continue to be the driving force of the Polish economy for a long time to come, and well-considered investments in this area quickly bring tangible results.

FAQ

How long does it take to implement new machinery in the plant?
The implementation time mainly depends on the complexity of the processes and the need to integrate them into the existing machinery. It can range from a few weeks even to several months for particularly complex projects.

Is it cost-effective to upgrade existing machinery?
Retrofitting often makes it possible to extend the life cycle of machines and increase their efficiency. It is particularly attractive when budgets are tight or when the main structure of the machine is still in good condition.

Can small-scale companies also benefit from automation?
Definitely yes. Implementing even simple automation and robotisation systems helps to save time and costs while improving product quality. The costs of such solutions are also becoming more affordable for small and medium-sized enterprises.