Yaskawa America, Inc. to launch robotic manufacturing facility in Franklin, Wisconsin, expanding North American operations!

Yaskawa America, Inc. has announced plans to establish a state-of-the-art robotic manufacturing facility at its new campus in Franklin, Wisconsin. The move represents a significant expansion of the company’s material handling and industrial automation capabilities across North America and marks the first time Yaskawa’s high-volume industrial robots will be manufactured in the United States.

Robots produced at the Franklin facility will be shipped directly to customers throughout North and South America or transferred to the company’s Motoman facility in Miamisburg, Ohio, for integration into complete automated systems. This localized production strategy is designed to strengthen supply chain resilience, reduce lead times and provide greater flexibility in responding to changing customer requirements.

The Franklin campus will gradually consolidate multiple Drives and Motion operations over a three- to eight-year period. Once fully developed, the campus is expected to exceed 800,000 square feet and will include advanced manufacturing areas, packaging facilities and dedicated training spaces. The site will serve as the North American headquarters for the Drives and Motion Division and will support production of industrial robots, motion control products, AC drives and solar inverters.

While the new campus will expand manufacturing capabilities, the Motoman Robotics Division will continue operating from its expanded headquarters and automation integration facility in Miamisburg, Ohio. The dual-site structure enables Yaskawa to maintain its established integration expertise while scaling up domestic robot production.

Mike Knapek, CEO of Yaskawa America, stated that consolidating facilities into the Franklin campus demonstrates the company’s commitment to advanced technology, manufacturing excellence and customer-focused innovation. He emphasized that the investment strengthens Yaskawa’s ability to deliver responsive, locally produced automation solutions to the North American market.

The Franklin expansion aligns with the broader vision of Yaskawa Electric Corporation, which has more than 110 years of experience in automation and motion technologies. The global organization continues to advance manufacturing capabilities through investments in robotics, servo systems, AC drives and integrated automation platforms.

For the Motoman Robotics Division, the new facility will enhance production capacity for both industrial and collaborative robots. By increasing domestic output, Yaskawa aims to support integrated automation solutions that improve productivity, precision and operational efficiency across industries such as automotive, logistics, electronics and general manufacturing.

In addition to boosting manufacturing scale, the Franklin campus will reinforce technical support, service and training capabilities across the Americas. With demand for automation accelerating, the investment positions Yaskawa to meet regional needs more efficiently while strengthening its long-term growth strategy in industrial robotics and motion control technologies.