Automation supplier Yaskawa America has announced a new state-of-the-art robotic manufacturing facility is planned to be built at its newly announced campus in Franklin, WI. This initiative marks a significant step in Yaskawa’s operations and increasing its production capabilities across the U.S., it says.

For the first time, Yaskawa's high-volume industrial robots will be manufactured on U.S. soil, with units shipping directly from the Wisconsin facility to customers in the Americas, or to the Yaskawa Motoman facility in Miamisburg, OH for integration into robotic systems. According to the company, the investment reflects Yaskawa’s commitment to localized production as a means to strengthen the supply chain, reduce lead times, and increase flexibility for its customers.

In addition to the planned robotic manufacturing operations, the Franklin campus will combine multiple Yaskawa Drives and Motion facilities into one location over the next three to eight years, eventually encompassing more than 800,000-square-feet of advanced manufacturing, packaging, and training space. When completed, the campus will house the North American headquarters for the Drives and Motion Division, as well as operations for robot production, motion control products, AC drives, and solar inverters. The Motoman Robotics Division of Yaskawa America will continue to operate out of its recently expanded headquarters and automation integration facility in Miamisburg, OH.

“We are proud of our cutting-edge technology, our commitment to quality, and our world-class manufacturing,” says Mike Knapek, CEO of Yaskawa America. “The unification of our facilities in Wisconsin and Illinois into a consolidated campus in Franklin positions us for strong future growth and continued innovation in the region.”

As part of the broader Yaskawa Electric Corporation, which is celebrating 110 years of global innovation, the expansion will support the company’s long-term vision for enabling manufacturing excellence through advanced automation, it says. It also represents a major milestone in growing Yaskawa’s U.S.-based capabilities in robotics, reinforcing its commitment to North and South American customers and partners, the company notes.

Related: Yaskawa Motoman doubles automation production space