Panasonic and Miller form strategic alliance for expanded robotic welding solutions

Panasonic Factory Solutions Company of America has entered into a strategic alliance with Miller Electric Mfg. Co. Within the agreement, robotics produced by Panasonic Welding Systems Co., Ltd., a division of Panasonic Corporation, will be integrated with Miller products and distributed to the North American market through Miller as part of a complete automated welding system.

“We are excited about this new business model with Miller,” said Tom Gebhardt, president of Panasonic Factory Solutions Company of America. “The combined vision, technology and expertise of Panasonic and Miller provide the industry with a singular source of substantiated strengths in automation, integration and customer satisfaction.”

Koichiro Masai, president of Panasonic Welding Systems Co., Ltd., said, “This may be the first step for further collaboration between the two companies.”

“Miller has engaged with a global technology leader to bring to market a comprehensive robotic welding automation solution,” said Mike Weller, president of Miller.

To augment this business, Miller has created Miller Welding Automation, a business unit dedicated to delivering and supporting the new Miller system. The new Miller Welding Automation facility will be located in Carol Stream, Ill.

The debut of this strategic alliance was officially announced at FABTECH 2010, North America’s largest metal forming, fabricating, finishing and welding event, at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, Ga.

Manufacturing AUTOMATION’s former sister publication, Metalworking Production and Purchasing, chatted with Kevin Summers, automation manager for Miller Welding Automation, at FABTECH, and learned more about this partnership.

www.panasonicfa.com

www.millerwelds.com