Techonology major ABB has started the expansion of its existing North American robotics headquarters and manufacturing facility in Auburn Hills, Michigan.
The robotics project is expected to be completed in November 2023 and represents an investment of $20 million; the company wrote in a statement posted on its website.
The expansion will create 72 highly skilled new jobs in the area and is supported by a $450,000 Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant, the statement noted.
Commenting on the development, Sami Atiya, president of ABB Robotics and Discrete Automation said, “Our investment is a significant step in accelerating ABB Robotics’ global leadership in developing and manufacturing cutting-edge robotic solutions in the US, for the Americas.”
He said “As the global mega trends of labor shortages, uncertainty, the near and reshoring of production, and a desire to operate more sustainably accelerate, more businesses are turning to automation to build resilience while improving efficiency and flexibility. Our expanded facility will help us to better serve customers in the US and across the Americas, giving them access to innovative automated solutions.”
Adding to the $14 billion ABB has already invested in the US since 2010, the latest investment in its Robotics headquarters and factory will benefit customers in the Americas, particularly those in growth sectors including electric vehicles, healthcare, packaging and logistics, the company said.
With the expansion set to significantly increase the factory’s production capacity, it responds to the increased demand for automation from 70% of US businesses looking to bring production closer to home, as revealed by ABB Robotics’ survey of 1,610 executives in the US and Europe in June 2022.