ABB is strengthening its commitment to its customer markets in the US with construction starting on the expansion of its existing North American robotics headquarters and manufacturing facility in Auburn Hills, Michigan.

The project is expected to be completed in November 2023 and represents an investment of US$20 million. The expansion will create 72 highly skilled new jobs in the area and is supported by a US$450,000 Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant.

ABB starts construction on the expansion of its North American robotics headquarters and manufacturing facility in Michigan.

“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,” commented Sami Atiya, President of ABB Robotics and Discrete Automation. “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 US$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.

ABB expects to increase production at the facility and strengthen its leadership in the US.

With the expansion set to significantly increase the factory’s production capacity, it responds to the increased demand for automation from 70 percent 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.

ABB Robotics moved into the 538,000 square foot building in 1993 and opened the manufacturing plant in 2015, becoming the first global industrial robotics company to fully commit to a North American robotics production footprint.

The expansion is expected to be completed in November 2023.

The expansion and increased use of automation in the factory will create new jobs, supporting the ABB Robotics Packaging & Logistics Headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia and the Robotics Lifesciences and Healthcare Hub located at the Texas Medical Center in Houston, Texas.

In addition, this investment will see the latest digital and automation technologies implemented to manufacture next generation robots in the US, for the Americas, streamlining the delivery process and reducing lead times. Close to 90% of robots delivered to customers in the US, Canada, Mexico and South America will soon be made in Auburn Hills.

ABB stated that the plant will utilize flexible, modular production cells that are digitally connected and networked, and served by intelligent autonomous mobile robots. AI-powered robotic systems will take on tasks such as screw driving, assembling and material handling, relieving people from these tasks and enabling more rewarding work.