Green World Media Co, the organiser of industrial showcases, forecasts sales of robotics and automation systems will reach 1 billion baht in 2019 because of the growing trend of high-tech adoption in the country's manufacturing sector.
According to Teera Kittiteerapornchai, the company's managing director, 2019 will see a sharp leap from the previous year's sales of 200-300 million baht.
"The increase is thanks to the government promoting 12 targeted industries under the S-curve policy and upgrading the overall manufacturing sector from 2.0 to the 4.0 stage," said Mr Teera.
The company will hold an upcoming showcase, Automation Expo 2019, for the second year on March 14-16. It expects to capture bookings for robotics and automation systems worth 200-300 million baht during the three-day event.
The venue for the expo is Nong Nooch Tropical Garden in Sattahip district, Chon Buri, a host province in the government's Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) scheme, along with Rayong and Chachoengsao.
Some 70-80 suppliers of robotics and automation systems worldwide are scheduled to join the showcase, including Japan's Mitsubishi and Epson and Switzerland's ABB.
The first event in 2018 saw bookings of 60-70 million baht.
"We also expect 6,000 visitors at the upcoming showcase, doubling from 3,000 in 2018," Mr Teera said.
He said the showcase's goal is to create new experiences for local manufacturers as they look to adopt robotics and automation systems, using the latest technology and focusing on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the food, agricultural and seafood industries.
Local SMEs should access the latest innovation and technology to improve their productivity and efficiency, said Mr Teera.
Kriangkrai Thiennukul, vice-chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries, said the EEC will increase new investment flows and construction projects in the three provinces.
The corridor is increasing overall investor confidence in the country's industrial sector, he said.
In promoting the S-curve concept, there are 12 targeted industries: new-generation automobiles; smart electronics; affluent, medical and wellness tourism; agriculture and biotechnology; food; robotics for industry; logistics and aviation; biofuels and biochemicals; digital; medical services; defence; and education.
"Local SMEs should adjust to handle the new era of automation that will be adopted for Thailand 4.0, as they cannot avoid this coming trend," Mr Kriangkrai said.
