en.Wedoany.com Reported - A report titled "Automation and Robotics 2026," released by UNO Logística at the SIL 2026 exhibition in Barcelona, indicates that 95% of logistics companies will increase their investment in digital transformation this year, positioning the logistics sector as one of the main technological drivers of the Spanish economy.
Francisco Aranda, President of UNO Logística, stated: "The ability to integrate automation, artificial intelligence, and advanced data analytics will determine which companies lead the supply chain and which will inevitably fall behind." He also noted that data from the Bank of Spain shows industry profitability fell to 2.86% last year, a situation driving companies to accelerate digitalization in pursuit of higher productivity.
Regarding investment plans over the next three years, 72% of companies expect to invest less than €1 million in automation and digitalization initiatives, while a significant portion has already begun considering large-scale investments to accelerate operational modernization. The priority technology areas for companies include artificial intelligence, automation and robotics, and big data, ahead of other tools such as cybersecurity and the Internet of Things. Aranda pointed out that these tools are transforming operations, enabling companies to predict crises, identify market demands, and improve responsiveness. The industry's automation level still has room for improvement: 51% of companies still rely on a model primarily based on manual operations supplemented by software, while only 11% have highly automated facilities. The main drivers of industry transformation are improving operational efficiency, reducing costs, and enhancing competitiveness. Companies consider warehousing, route optimization, and traceability as the areas with the greatest automation potential in the coming years. The report also shows that 59% of companies have already felt a significant impact of technology on their operations. However, the industry still faces challenges such as implementation costs, resistance to change, system integration, a shortage of specialized talent, and difficulty in measuring return on investment.
In terms of employment, job reassignment and internal adaptation processes are expected to be more common than layoffs, while demand for technical talent continues to grow. 74% of companies plan to recruit ICT talent within 2026. Aranda concluded that the more digital a company becomes, the more important its human capital is, and the industry's biggest challenge is not only introducing technology but also having the specialized talent capable of fully leveraging its potential.
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