Preparing the published article.
Robot Investment Cycles and Capital Equipment
Why machinery demand moves later than the news.
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 |

