Abb Robotics Existing Auburn Hills Factory 641346d3edebe

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Detroit metro area could become more attractive to automation professionals

March 16, 2023

ABB expects $20M expansion at U.S. robotics factory to be completed in November

Figure 1: The ABB Robotics’ Auburn Hills factory will undergo a $20 million expansion. This shows a rendering of the expanded lobby.

Automation professionals might want to take a fresh look at the Detroit metropolitan area. ABB expects to complete the expansion of its North American robotics headquarters and manufacturing facility in Auburn Hills, Michigan, by November. The $20 million investment is intended to increase production and create 72 new jobs. It's supported by a $450,000 Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant (Figure 1).

Automation technology could streamline the delivery process and reduce lead times, as the plant will use flexible, modular production cells that are digitally connected and networked, and the plant will be served by autonomous mobile robots. AI-powered robotic systems will take on tasks such as screw driving, assembling and material handling work (Figure 2).

Figure 2: This rendering shows the ABB Robotics new Auburn Hills Robot Studio enterway.

“Almost every aspect of the site will be upgraded to enrich our efforts to attract, retain and nurture the best automation talent,” said John Bubnikovich, ABB United States robotics division president.

In 1993, ABB Robotics moved into the 538,000-sq-ft building, and the manufacturing facility opened in 2015. The factory expansion will support the ABB Robotics Packaging & Logistics Headquarters in Atlanta and the Robotics Lifesciences and Healthcare Hub at the Texas Medical Center in Houston.

“As the global mega trends of labor shortages, uncertainty, the near- and reshoring of production and a desire to operate more sustainably accelerate, more businesses are turning to automation to build resilience while improving efficiency and flexibility,” said Sami Atiya, president of ABB robotics and discrete automation.

According to an ABB Robotics’ survey of 1,620 executives in the U.S. and Europe from June 2022, 70% of U.S. businesses are looking to bring production closer to home. The investment in its robotics headquarters and factory will benefit those customers in the Americas, particularly those in growth sectors including electric vehicles, healthcare, packaging and logistics.

“ABB’s $20 million investment creating 72 jobs will build on our economic momentum and help us continue leading the future of robotics and automation,” said Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer. “Thanks to companies like ABB Robotics and the support of our local partners, we can keep bringing jobs and investment to every region of our state, revitalizing communities and building an economy of the future.”