Schunk USA gathered its entire team to celebrate 30 years of serving American customers. In 1992, Schunk, which equips production lines and robot systems with toolholding, workholding and gripping technology, broke ground to build the first production facility outside of its headquarters in Germany. Since then, the family-owned company with nine plants worldwide has brought local market knowledge and expanded capabilities to machine and assemble additional products in the United States.
“Celebrating 30 years in the United States is a reason to celebrate for Schunk, but also for our partners and customers,” said Aaron Royster, product manager at Schunk USA. “In a constantly evolving industry with new technologies and ideas, users of automation and workholding technology benefit from our success. Since 2011 when I joined Schunk, key milestones have been achieved in the industry that change the way we automate and build equipment.”
Newcomers to automation benefit from ease-of-use products and technologies both from robot manufacturers and automation technology companies such as Schunk, added Royster. “Automating simple tasks like picking and placing items can be daunting for companies that have only seen these jobs done by human labor,” he noted. “These tasks are automated in hours, rather than days with easy-to-use yet high-performing collaborative robots. End effectors installed on these robots integrate seamlessly with software plug-ins for an optimal user experience.”
Advanced automation has developed at a record pace changing the landscape of the work environment; artificial intelligence (AI) and vision systems make automating complex part mixes and chaotically presented materials possible, continued Royster. “Electro-servo-driven grippers allow complex automation processes to collect data that can be used to make systems and processes more secure and efficient,” he explained. “Companies like Schunk are innovating to make these advances possible. Looking back on 30 years of innovation and supporting customers in the United States, we look forward to what the next 30 will bring.”
The anniversary event began with a company-wide announcement in which Milton Guerry, Schunk USA president, and Markus Kleiner, managing director, recounted memories of the early years. A video message of congratulations from Kristina Schunk, CEO, and Henrik Schunk, CEO, was played for the U.S. team.
The afternoon and evening ended with a celebration for employees and their family members. There were a variety of food trucks, a local brewery serving a craft beer and cider selection, family activities such as air hockey, basketball shoot-out and axe throwing, as well as a raffle with prizes.
