ABB hosts 1,600+ guests at U.S. robot factory opening

Jun. 10, 2015 – ABB Robotics hosted more than 1,600 guests at its United States Robot Manufacturing Factory opening ceremony and Customer Days 2015 events, held at its North American headquarters and training centre in Auburn Hills, Mich., last month.

The grand opening took place the morning of May 20, celebrating Auburn Hills becoming only the third worldwide manufacturing location of ABB robots and related equipment, joining China and Sweden. The new facility also marks the first of a global industrial robotics company to commit and invest in a North American robotics manufacturing footprint, it says.

The ceremony included addresses from ABB CEO Ulrich Spiesshofer (first photo below) and other senior executives, and Bruce H. Andrews, U.S. deputy secretary of congress; Suzan G. LeVine, U.S. ambassador to Switzerland & Liechtenstein; and Martin Dahinden, ambassador of Switzerland to the United States, along with local officials from Auburn Hills and Oakland County.

The Customer Days event started the afternoon of the opening ceremony, and ran through May 22, concluding with a Friends & Family Open House. Customer Days featured more than 55 live robotic and related equipment demonstrations, and 53 technical training seminars. Attendees included current and potential customers, value providers, affiliated technology equipment providers, members of the media, and for the Friday afternoon Open House, a crowd of children, friends and robot enthusiasts of all ages.

Robotic applications highlighted on the demo floor and in the seminars included press automation, packaging, material handling, assembly, machine tending, welding and cutting, painting, automotive and transportation, and training and service.