ABB invests $20 million to expand its existing production capacity at the Auburn Mountain factory in the United States, consolidating its leading position in the US market
The expanded automation facilities will create new job opportunities for Michigan
The expanded US factory will adopt the latest automated advanced manufacturing processes and resume its journey in November 2023
To strengthen its investment in this important market in the United States, ABB launched an expansion plan for its North American robot headquarters and production facilities in Auburn Mountain, Michigan this year. The project is expected to be completed in November 2023, with a total investment of $20 million. This expansion will create 72 new high skilled jobs in the region and receive $450000 in Michigan Business Development Program performance funding support.
An Shiming, President of ABB Robotics and Discrete Automation Division, stated: In order to better develop and manufacture advanced robot solutions for the Americas region in the United States and consolidate ABB Robotics’ global leadership in this field, this investment marks an important step forward. With the development of global trends such as labor shortages, uncertainty, nearshore and onshore production, and the urgent need to improve business sustainability, more and more companies are actively embracing automation technology To establish enterprise resilience, improve efficiency and flexibility. Expanding our facilities will help us better serve our customers in the United States and throughout the Americas, enabling them to obtain innovative automation solutions
Since 2010, ABB has invested a total of $14 billion in the United States. The latest investment in robot headquarters and factories will greatly benefit customers in the Americas, especially in growth industries such as electric vehicles, healthcare, packaging, and logistics. A survey conducted by ABB Robotics in June 2022 among 1610 executives in the United States and Europe showed that 70% of American companies hope to produce closer to their local areas, and this expansion will significantly increase the production capacity of factories to meet their higher demand for automation.
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer said, “ABB’s $20 million investment has created 72 job opportunities, which will consolidate our economic growth momentum and help us continue to lead the future of robotics and automation. It is with the support of companies such as ABB Robotics and local partners that we can continuously drive employment and investment in various regions of the state, revitalize communities, and build a future oriented economy
ABB Robotics moved into its current office building in 1993, covering an area of 538000 square feet, and opened a production base in 2015, becoming the first multinational robot company fully committed to North American robot production. The expansion of the factory and the improvement of automation will further empower ABB Robotics’ packaging and logistics headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia, as well as the Robotics Healthcare Center in Houston, Texas, and create new job opportunities. As of now, ABB has approximately 350 employees in Auburn Mountain.
ABB’s business in the United States covers over 40 regions and has over 20000 employees.
John Bubnikovich, President of ABB Robotics Business Unit in the United States, stated: The expanded factory will adopt advanced technology, equipped with robots that support artificial intelligence and intelligent digital production systems, to provide support for the production and manufacturing of the most advanced customer solutions. We will upgrade the factory in almost all aspects to attract, retain, and cultivate the best automation talents, committed to creating a US production base and headquarters that is qualified to become a global automation leader
This investment will optimize the delivery process, shorten the delivery cycle, and utilize the latest digital and automation technologies to manufacture next-generation robots in the United States to meet the needs of the Americas region. In the near future, nearly 90% of robots delivered to customers in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and South America will be produced in Auburn Mountain. The factory adopts flexible modular production units that will support digital connectivity and networking, and will be serviced by intelligent autonomous mobile robots. Robotic systems driven by artificial intelligence will undertake tasks such as screwing, assembling, and material handling, freeing people from these mechanical repetitive tasks and investing in more valuable work.