ABB Opens State-of-the-Art Robotics Factory Reaffirming Commitment in Growing US Market

Wednesday 13 March 2024, Auburn Hills, Michigan, USA: ABB today opened its refitted US robotics headquarters and manufacturing facility in Auburn Hills, Michigan, which will support ABB Robotics’ global leadership in developing and manufacturing cutting-edge robotic solutions in the US, for the US and the Americas. The fully renovated facility reflects ABB’s commitment to long-term growth in the US market, which is predicted to follow global growth rates for robotics of 8% CAGR*, as well as the company’s global investment to build Robotics and Automation capacity and create new, highly skilled jobs. This is ABB’s third global robotics factory expansion in three years across China, Europe and the Americas and is part of its efforts to further strengthen its local-for-local footprint.

Sami Atiya, President of ABB Robotics and Discrete Automation, said:

The opening of our refitted state-of-the-art US robotics headquarters in Auburn Hills, Michigan is a significant part of our global growth story, reaffirming our commitment to industry leadership in the US. Robotics and AI are essential tools for companies in addressing critical labour shortages, localised supply chains and the need to operate more sustainably. The advances in AI-driven software and hardware make our robots more accessible to a wider range of businesses, enabling them to increase resilience and become more competitive. America is now the world’s second largest robotics market, and our production facility will help ABB support existing customers as well as new growth sectors across the US and the Americas region.

With a 30 percent increase in facility space, the new Auburn Hills facility will enhance ABB’s ability to serve as the leading strategic robotics partner for its growing customer base. Through the new Customer Experience Centre, ABB will showcase its leading hardware and software solutions, pioneering the latest digital and AI-powered automation technologies with customers, and developing and manufacturing next generation robots.

The expanded facility will support ABB Robotics’ specialist centres including its Packaging and Logistics hub in Atlanta, Georgia; its Life Sciences and Healthcare hub at the Texas Medical Centre in Houston, Texas; and AI Research Lab in San Jose, California. Complete with a new training centre, the facility will educate over 3,000 workers and students each year, equipping them with the skills to thrive in a new era of AI-powered automation. 

John Bubnikovich, President of ABB’s United States Robotics Division, said:

Through our expanded facility, partner ecosystem and comprehensive AI-enabled product portfolio, we are pushing the boundaries of technology to drive performance to new levels. We look forward to increasing support for our customers, to expanding our role as an employer and to energising the transformation of society and industry to achieve a more productive, sustainable future.

The expansion reflects the company’s focus on the US market and commitment to continued investment in Michigan. 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. In addition to capitalising on the unique concentration of technical skills in the community, ABB will provide upskilling and career opportunities to train workers with no prior experience or degree with the skills needed to build a successful career in the robotics and automation industry. ABB Robotics has invested $30 million in the U.S. since 2019 and has nearly 1,000 U.S. employees across four locations, opening its Auburn Hills manufacturing facility in 2015. The recent investment in Auburn Hills is part of the previously announced approximately $170 million that ABB is investing in its electrification and automation businesses across the US. 

* ABB Mgt Estimate 2023 – 2026