Yaskawa America, Inc today announced plans to establish a state-of-the-art robotic manufacturing facility at its new campus in Franklin, Wisconsin, marking a major expansion of its material handling and industrial automation capabilities across North America. For the first time, Yaskawa’s high-volume industrial robots will be produced on US soil.
Units manufactured at the Franklin facility will either ship directly to customers in North and South America or to the company’s Motoman facility in Miamisburg, Ohio, for integration into automated systems. This localized production strategy aims to strengthen the supply chain, reduce lead times, and enhance flexibility to meet the evolving demands of customers.
The Franklin campus is planned to consolidate multiple Yaskawa Drives and Motion operations into a single location over the next three to eight years. Once complete, the campus will span more than 800,000 square feet, featuring advanced manufacturing, packaging, and training spaces.
It will house the North American headquarters for the Drives and Motion Division and accommodate operations for robot production, motion control products, AC drives, and solar inverters. Meanwhile, the Motoman Robotics Division will continue to operate from its expanded Miamisburg headquarters and automation integration facility.
Mike Knapek, CEO of Yaskawa America, said, “The consolidation of our facilities into the Franklin campus reflects our commitment to cutting-edge technology, quality manufacturing, and customer-focused innovation. This investment positions us for future growth and strengthens our ability to serve the North American market with responsive, locally produced solutions.”
The Franklin expansion is part of Yaskawa Electric Corporation’s long-term vision to advance manufacturing excellence through automation. Celebrating over 110 years of global innovation, Yaskawa continues to provide high-performance solutions, ranging from servo motors and AC drives to fully integrated robotic welding cells and intelligent automation systems.
For the Motoman Robotics Division, the Franklin facility will enhance production capacity for both industrial and collaborative robots, supporting integrated automation solutions that improve productivity, precision, and operational efficiency. The investment will also strengthen technical support and service capabilities for customers across the Americas.
Yaskawa expects the new campus to create a significant positive impact on U.S. manufacturing, delivering high-quality robotics and automation solutions while reinforcing its long-standing commitment to customers, partners, and industries throughout North and South America.
