The short answer
If you already know the exact model you want, go to the manufacturer or its authorized distributor in your region. If you know the task but not the machine, write a request for quotation (RFQ) and send it to a short list of suppliers or to a system integrator. General B2B marketplaces are useful for low-cost, standard components; they are a poor fit for a production cell that has to be engineered, installed and supported.
Four routes, and what each is good for
| Route | Best for | Watch for |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer or authorized distributor | A known robot model, spare parts, warranty service | Regional coverage: confirm who actually services your country |
| System integrator | A complete cell or line: design, safety, installation, commissioning | Scope and acceptance criteria written into the contract |
| General B2B marketplace | Standard, low-cost components bought on a listed price | Seller identity, certification claims and after-sales support |
| Specialist directory plus RFQ | Building a short list across categories and countries, then asking the same question of each | A directory helps you find and compare; it does not protect the transaction |
What to put in a robotics RFQ
Suppliers answer a vague request with a vague quote. A useful RFQ states:
- The task. What is being moved, joined, inspected or assembled, with part dimensions, weight and material.
- Performance. Payload, reach, repeatability and the cycle time the process needs.
- Environment. Floor space, temperature, dust or washdown conditions, cleanroom class, and whether people work in the same space.
- Standards. The safety and conformity requirements that apply where the system will run. ISO 10218 covers industrial robot safety; collaborative applications have their own requirements; local rules decide which markings and documents you need.
- Integration. The controller, fieldbus or PLC it must talk to, vision or gripping needs, and existing equipment it must fit around.
- Commercials. Quantity, target timeline, delivery country, installation and training expectations, and the support you expect after handover.
Leave the budget out if you prefer, but say whether you are comparing a single robot, a cell or a full line. It changes who should answer.
How to check a robotics supplier
- Confirm the legal entity behind the website, and that the company name on the quote matches it.
- Ask for the certificates and declarations that apply to your market, and read the model numbers on them.
- Ask for reference installations similar to yours, and speak to one of those customers.
- Establish who provides service in your country, how fast, and where spare parts are stocked.
- Agree acceptance tests before the order: what the system must do, how it will be measured and what happens if it does not.
Where GlobleMatch fits, and where it does not
GlobleMatch is a robotics commerce network: a directory of 610 robotics and automation companies in six categories, compiled from public sources with the source and last-verified date shown, and a free RFQ desk where a buyer posts a requirement once. It is built for discovery, comparison and first contact.
It is the wrong tool if you need payment protection, escrow or an order placed today. GlobleMatch does not process orders, hold funds or guarantee a transaction, and a listing is not an endorsement. Do your own due diligence before you sign or pay.
Related reading
How robotics manufacturers find distributors and integrators abroad · Core components directory · System integrators directory
Frequently asked questions
Where can I buy an industrial robot?
From the manufacturer, from its authorized distributor in your region, or as part of a complete cell supplied by a system integrator. If you know the task but not the model, send the same RFQ to a short list of suppliers and compare the answers.
What should a robotics RFQ include?
The task and parts handled, payload, reach, repeatability and cycle time, the operating environment, the safety and conformity requirements of the country of use, integration needs such as controller and communication, and quantity, timeline and support expectations.
Is GlobleMatch a marketplace for robots?
No. GlobleMatch is a directory and a request desk for robotics companies and buyers. It does not process orders, hold funds or take a commission, and a listing is not an endorsement.
Does it cost anything to post a robotics request?
No. Posting a request on GlobleMatch is free for buyers.