ABB expands robot factory in the USA

Another press release from the group that continues to invest heavily in robotics. The other "big players" are also doing this, but the flow of information is not quite as fluid. I think that the investment presented fits in with the general theme of staff shortages on the one hand, and then also with the new subsidies from the USA ("America first" - "Inflation Reduction Act").

• Investment of $20 million boosts production at existing Auburn Hills plant and strengthens ABB's leadership position in US market
• Expanded, highly automated plant creates new jobs in the state of Michigan
• Extension building with state-of-the-art automated manufacturing technology to open in November 2023

ABB today reaffirmed its commitment to the U.S. market - one of its largest sales markets - with the start of construction for the expansion of its North American robotics headquarters and manufacturing facility in Auburn Hills, Mich. The $20 million construction project is expected to be completed in November 2023. The expansion will create 72 high-skilled jobs in the region and will be supported by a $450,000 performance-based grant from the Michigan Business Development Program.

"Our investment is an important step in strengthening ABB Robotics' global leadership in designing and manufacturing pioneering robotics solutions in the U.S. for the Americas," said Sami Atiya, head of ABB's Robotics and Manufacturing Automation business. "The global megatrends of labor shortages, insecurity, near- and reshoring of manufacturing, and the drive for more sustainable operations are becoming increasingly important. Against this backdrop, companies are increasingly turning to automation to become more resilient and increase their efficiency and flexibility. The plant expansion will help better serve our customers in the U.S. and across the Americas, providing them with access to innovative automated solutions."

In a good decade, 14 billion has already been invested in the USA. (Group total, not Robotic Division)

ABB has already invested $14 billion in the U.S. since 2010. The new investment in ABB Robotics' headquarters and factory will benefit customers across the Americas, particularly in growth sectors such as electric vehicles, healthcare, packaging and logistics. The expansion, which will significantly increase the plant's production capacity, is ABB's response to growing demand for automation from 70 percent of U.S. companies looking to locate production closer to home. That's according to a June 2022 survey of 1,610 executives in the U.S. and Europe by ABB Robotics.

"ABB's $20 million investment, which will create 72 jobs, builds on our economic momentum and will help us continue to be a leader in robotics and automation," said Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer. "Thanks to companies like ABB Robotics and the support of our local partners, we can continue to bring jobs and investment to all regions of our state, revitalize communities and build the economy of the future."

ABB robots "Born in the USA" since 2005

In 1993, ABB Robotics moved into the nearly 50,000-square-foot building where robots have been produced since 2015. This made ABB Robotics the first global industrial robotics company to fully commit to robot production in North America. The expansion and increased use of automation technology in the factory will create new jobs to support ABB Robotics Packaging & Logistics Headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia, and the Robotics Lifesciences and Healthcare Hub at the Texas Medical Center in Houston, Texas. ABB currently employs 350 people in Auburn Hills.

In total, ABB employs more than 20,000 people in the U.S. at more than 40 locations.

"The expanded facility will feature the most advanced technology, and AI-enabled robots and intelligent digital manufacturing systems will support the production of cutting-edge customer solutions," said John Bubnikovich, head of ABB's Robotics division in the U.S. "Nearly every aspect of the site is being optimized to strengthen our efforts to attract, retain and promote the best minds in automation. At the same time, we're building a manufacturing center and headquarters in the U.S. befitting a global leader in automation technology."

As part of this investment, ABB is implementing the latest digital and automation technologies to manufacture the next generation of robots for the Americas in the US. In the process, the delivery process will be streamlined and lead times reduced. Nearly 90 percent of robots for customers in the U.S., Canada, Mexico and South America will soon be produced in Auburn Hills. Instead of traditional fixed assembly lines, the plant will use flexible, modular manufacturing cells that are digitally networked and operated by intelligent autonomous mobile robots. AI-supported robotic systems will take over tasks such as screwing, assembly and material handling. This will relieve employees of these tasks and allow them to pursue higher-value activities.

The video is seven years old.

Are we networking? LinkedIn
-> Go to the Cobot group on LinkedIn (link). The author is also a consultant (robotics, tech & finance). Hardly anyone is likely to have a comparable market overview.