Without robotisation, the Netherlands will no longer have its own manufacturing industry in ten years

The manufacturing industry accounts for 7% of the Dutch gross domestic product (GDP), making it one of the key pillars of the national economy. The sector is essential for financing major societal transitions and covering the costs of national security. However, if the Netherlands does not invest quickly and structurally in modernisation, the industry risks losing its competitive position.

Growing urgency over time

The consequences of inaction will become visible very soon. Within two years, labour shortages caused by demographic ageing will lead to rising costs and inefficient production. In the medium term - within five years - the Netherlands is expected to miss out on further productivity gains, while outdated production lines increasingly become a structural competitive disadvantage. In the long term, within ten years, irreversible damage might occur: companies unable to compete globally, factory closures, job losses and an increased dependence on foreign suppliers.

Benefits of robotisation

A substantial investment in robotisation offers clear advantages. Robots can operate far beyond the standard eight‑hour working day, improve product quality by reducing human error, and help lower production costs. Modern robots are also becoming increasingly intelligent through the integration of artificial intelligence (AI): they offer greater flexibility, adapt more easily to changing conditions and can be programmed more quickly.

Mark Courage, Director of Smart Industry at TNO, explains: ‘Robotisation is not a luxury, but a prerequisite for preserving our manufacturing industry. A national agenda provides direction, accelerates adoption and ensures that companies - both large and small - have access to the technologies that will determine their future. This is the only way for the Netherlands to remain a maker, rather than a dependent buyer.’

TNO calls for a national robotisation agenda

To drive acceleration, TNO advocates a national robotisation agenda with clear long‑term objectives, overseen by a central taskforce. Key recommendations include:

1. Awareness and knowledge sharing: nationwide communication, accessible insight into return on investment (ROI) and practical, sector‑specific guidance for companies.
2. Standardisation and ecosystem strengthening: promoting open‑source interoperability, investing in strategic niches and pooling demand to create the scale required to attract system integrators.
3. Education and labour market: developing continuous learning pathways and embedding mandatory robotics competencies to ensure a future‑proof talent base.
4. International positioning: positioning the Netherlands as the European testbed for high‑mix, low‑volume robotisation and deepening European collaboration.
5. Acceleration for SMEs: supporting small and medium‑sized enterprises through sectoral cooperation, accessible field labs, vouchers and flexible financing models such as Robotics‑as‑a‑Service.