The global warehouse automation market staged a stronger-than-expected recovery in 2025 despite a year initially dominated by tariff uncertainty and cautious corporate spending.
According to new research released by Interact Analysis, the sector experienced two very distinct phases throughout the year. During the first half of 2025, many companies delayed major automation investments amid uncertainty surrounding tariffs and global trade policies. However, market confidence improved more quickly than expected toward the end of the year, allowing warehouse automation orders to finish 2025 up by 7%, surpassing earlier forecasts.
The study also revealed that the market’s apparent growth was partly driven by inflation rather than purely by project expansion. Increased tariffs on steel and aluminum, which rose by 25%, significantly increased system prices, meaning that higher revenues did not necessarily reflect a proportional increase in project volumes.
Another major trend highlighted by Interact Analysis was the widening performance gap between suppliers. Large automation providers tied to major industrial groups significantly outperformed the market, while suppliers focused on small and medium-sized enterprises struggled to maintain momentum.
Toyota Industries posted one of the strongest performances, recording a 65% increase in order intake through the third quarter of 2025. TGW followed with 55% growth, while Dematic reported a 50% increase. In contrast, AutoStore, typically associated with mid-sized projects, saw order intake decline by 5% over the same period.
Mobile robotics remained one of the most resilient segments of the market. Companies such as Geek+ outperformed broader industry trends, posting 30% growth during the first half of 2025. However, the segment remains volatile, with some providers, including EK Robotics, facing financial distress and insolvency challenges.
Looking ahead, analysts expect a broader and more balanced recovery in 2026 as uncertainty gradually fades and vacancy rates decline. A growing share of future investment is expected to come from small and medium-sized businesses.
At the same time, globalization continues to demonstrate remarkable resilience despite geopolitical tensions and ongoing uncertainty surrounding US trade policies.
That is one of the key conclusions of the DHL Global Connectedness Report 2026, published by DHL in partnership with the Stern School of Business at New York University.
According to the report, global connectedness reached record levels in 2022 and remained stable through 2025. Trade, capital, information and people flows continue to operate at historically high levels despite deteriorating relations between the United States and China.
The United States ranked 39th out of 180 economies in this year’s index, falling nine places since 2019. The report also showed that direct US imports from China dropped sharply, declining from 22% in 2017 to just 9% during the first three quarters of 2025.
Despite political narratives surrounding deglobalization, the report found limited evidence of a major fragmentation of global trade. Only 4% to 6% of global merchandise trade and cross-border investments shifted away from geopolitically rival nations over the past decade.
Singapore retained its position as the world’s most globally connected economy, followed by Luxembourg and the Netherlands. Singapore recorded the highest level of international flows relative to domestic activity, while the United Kingdom demonstrated the broadest geographic distribution of international connections.
North American ports also reached record levels of activity in 2025 despite a highly volatile year for global trade.
According to the Savills Ports Report published by Savills Industrial Services, container throughput across the 15 largest North American ports increased by 1.6% to reach 62.3 million TEUs, surpassing the previous record established in 2022.
The year was heavily impacted by tariff-related volatility. Importers accelerated shipments ahead of expected tariff deadlines before volumes collapsed following the introduction of cumulative 145% tariffs on Chinese imports in April 2025. Cargo volumes later rebounded after those tariffs were lifted.
Savills’ import volatility index reached 8.1% between May and July, twice the decade average and the highest level recorded since 2020.
The Asia-Pacific region maintained its dominance, with the world’s five largest ports accounting for more than one-third of global container traffic.
Among North American ports, Baltimore posted the strongest percentage growth following its recovery from the 2024 bridge collapse, while the Port of Virginia recorded the steepest decline in volumes.
The report also pointed to increasing global investment in port infrastructure designed to improve capacity, resilience and operational efficiency. Labor conditions at ports remained relatively stable throughout the year, with no major strikes reported, although future immigration policies could again tighten labor availability.
For the remainder of 2026, analysts expect port activity to stabilize or slow slightly as the impact of tariff front-loading fades and more sophisticated inventory management systems help smooth import cycles.
Meanwhile, innovation continues to play a critical role across global supply chains as companies seek to manage inflation, labor shortages and sustainability pressures.
Kenco’s Innovation 2026 study identified inflation as the leading driver of innovation for 45% of respondents, followed by labor shortages at 28% and sustainability priorities at 27%.
However, companies continue to face significant challenges in implementing new technologies. Budget limitations were identified as the largest barrier by 51% of respondents, followed by labor-related challenges and technology integration difficulties.
Despite financial pressures, businesses are continuing to allocate substantial budgets toward innovation. More than one-third of respondents reported increased spending on innovation initiatives, while nearly half indicated annual innovation budgets exceeding $500,000.
Artificial intelligence and machine learning emerged as the technologies generating the most interest in 2026, followed by computer vision, supply chain digitization and generative AI.
The study also highlighted growing internal tensions surrounding innovation projects, with operations departments identified as the most difficult teams to align with, followed by IT and human resources.
Even amid caution and financial pressure, companies across the logistics and supply chain sector continue to prioritize innovation as a strategic necessity rather than an optional investment.
