Yaskawa America to Launch First U.S. Robot Manufacturing Facility in Wisconsin!

Yaskawa America is set to mark a major milestone in its North American operations with the announcement of a new robotic manufacturing facility in Franklin, Wisconsin. This strategic expansion represents the company’s first initiative to produce high-volume industrial robots on U.S. soil — a significant move aimed at strengthening its supply chain, supporting regional integration, and accelerating delivery timelines for customers across the Americas.

The new facility will be part of Yaskawa’s recently unveiled Franklin campus, which is expected to transform into a central hub for its manufacturing and operations footprint in the U.S. Over the next three to eight years, the company plans to consolidate multiple Yaskawa Drives and Motion facilities into this single, state-of-the-art location. Once complete, the Franklin campus will span over 800,000 square feet, bringing together advanced manufacturing, packaging, training, and administrative operations under one roof.

At the heart of the development is the decision to begin domestic production of Yaskawa’s industrial robots — machines that have historically been manufactured in Japan. These robots will be assembled in Franklin and shipped directly to American customers or forwarded to Yaskawa’s Motoman facility in Miamisburg, Ohio, where they will be integrated into complete robotic automation systems.

The decision to localize robot manufacturing in the U.S. reflects Yaskawa’s broader strategy to respond more rapidly to customer needs, enhance manufacturing agility, and minimize supply chain disruptions. With increasing demand for robotics in industries such as automotive, logistics, food and beverage, and electronics, this facility will position Yaskawa to better support innovation and growth within the North American market.

The Franklin campus is designed to be a comprehensive innovation center, not only focusing on robot production but also housing the North American headquarters of Yaskawa’s Drives and Motion Division. Key operations will include the development and manufacturing of motion control systems, AC drives, and solar inverters — vital components that support automation and energy efficiency in industrial applications.

“This investment signifies Yaskawa’s long-term commitment to the Americas and our belief in the importance of being closer to our customers,” said a company spokesperson. “We are not just building a factory; we’re building an ecosystem for advanced manufacturing and training that will support the future of automation in the region.”

The campus will also include a dedicated training center to support workforce development and customer education. As the robotics and automation landscape continues to evolve, Yaskawa’s expansion in Wisconsin is poised to become a cornerstone in delivering smarter, faster, and more localized solutions to an increasingly dynamic industrial environment.

By establishing a U.S.-based manufacturing base, Yaskawa America joins the growing wave of global automation leaders investing in domestic production, signaling a new era of innovation, resilience, and responsiveness in industrial robotics.