French robot maker Sepro Robotique has had two years of solid growth, according to CEO Jean Michel Renaudeau. Its turnover has shot up 50% to EUR60 million and its export markets now include South America and Mexico, with Europe and the US still taking the lion's share of 62%. As for the Asian market, Renaudeau says the firm has started exporting robots to India (transferred from key accounts from US/Europe) and said that it is bit early to invest in India but as soon as market gives the "green light" it will speed up activity. As for China, he said it is at the low-cost or entry level. "Overall we expect a 4% sales growth in Asia and will expect this market to take off, though we have no plans to produce any robots outside France for the time being."

Claiming a market leadership in large robots, especially for machines of up to 700 tonnes, Renaudeau says Sepro is the leading supplier in Europe and among the three largest independent robot suppliers. "We invested heavily during the crisis and built alliances with Sumitomo Demag, Haitian, Romi, Billion, Staubli, Machines Pages and others. Investments are different and even though we introduced new products in 2012; at the K2013 everything will be new." he said.