Brave new production world of the robots

This manufacturing hub is known for making home appliances, ceramics and furniture. But last year it reported a shortage of 200,000 workers, according to Zhang Peng, deputy director of the Shunde Economy, Science and Technology Bureau.

"Introduction of smart equipments will help solve the problem and improve working conditions for existing staff," Zhang said.

In the coming years, up to half of the staffing levels on the production lines in Shunde will disappear as manufacturers upgrade their facilities by using smart, or robotic, technology.

Companies are already planning to introduce about 1,500 industrial robots this year after investing more than 700 million yuan.

Home appliance company Midea Group, for example, has installed more than 800 robots to improve production efficiency, which is now 10 percent higher.

In China, demand for robots has increased dramatically. Last year, sales in robotic technology jumped 54 percent to 5.6 million items compared to 2013, Xinhua News Agency reported. "The demand for industrial robots will continue on an upward trend as China needs more advanced equipment to upgrade its manufacturing," Zhang said.

Home appliances produced at Shunde were worth 228.1 billion yuan last year, or 15 percent of the country's total output, and that is likely to increase in the future.

"The industry has laid solid foundations for expansion in industrial robot technology, which will increase production," Zhang said.

For those workers that are made redundant, local authorities will provide training courses to help them find new jobs. The booming robotics industry will also create openings. "A growing number of companies are manufacturing industrial robots in the Pearl River Delta," Xie Guogao, deputy director of Foshan Economic and Information Bureau, said. Figures released by the Shunde Economy, Science and Technology Bureau show that there are more than 20 companies in the area manufacturing industrial robots.

Many are joint ventures with international partners such as ABB Ltd, one of the world's leading engineering companies based in Switzerland, and Comau SpA, which specializes in advanced manufacturing in Italy.