ABB opens refitted U.S. robotics facility in Auburn Hills, Michigan

ABB has opened its refitted US robotics headquarters and manufacturing facility in Auburn Hills, Michigan. ABB explained the expanded facility reflects its commitment to long-term growth in the U.S. market.

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. 

“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,” said Sami Atiya, President of ABB’s Robotics and Discrete Automation Business Area. “Robotics and AI are essential tools for companies in addressing critical labor shortages, localized 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.” 

ABB explained that the refitted Auburn Hills site adds 30% in facilty space, as well as a new Customer Experience Center to showcase solutions and the lastest in AI-powered automation technologies. The opening event for the revamped facility included a visit from Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer.

“ABB’s $20 million investment in Auburn Hills will create more than 70 good-paying, high-skill jobs and build on Michigan’s advanced manufacturing leadership,” said Whitmer. “Around the world, ABB’s technology supports the production of electric vehicles, medical devices, electronics, and even pastries. Today’s expansion at their robotics headquarters will tighten the supply chain and cut down on production delays, while building on ABB’s long-standing investments in local workforce development and hands-on education. Let’s keep competing to bring more cutting-edge investments home to Michigan.”

The expanded facility will support ABB Robotics’ specialist centers including its Packaging and Logistics hub in Atlanta, Georgia; its Life Sciences and Healthcare hub at the Texas Medical Center in Houston, Texas; and AI Research Lab in San Jose, California. Complete with a new training center, the facility will educate over 3,000 workers and students each year. ABB Robotics has invested $30 million in the U.S. since 2019 across four locations, opening its Auburn Hills manufacturing facility in 2015.

“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,” said John Bubnikovich, ABB United States Robotics Division President. “We look forward to increasing support for our customers, to expanding our role as an employer and to energizing the transformation of society and industry to achieve a more productive, sustainable future.”