Key Takeaways:
• Yaskawa America will begin producing high-volume industrial robots in the U.S. for the first time.
• A new manufacturing campus in Franklin, Wisconsin will anchor this shift, streamlining operations and boosting supply chain responsiveness.
• The project will consolidate multiple Drives and Motion facilities into one location over the next 3–8 years, covering more than 800,000 square feet.
• The Franklin site will serve as the North American headquarters for the Drives and Motion Division.
• Yaskawa’s Motoman Robotics Division will continue its expansion independently in Miamisburg, Ohio.
Manufacturing Begins on U.S. Soil
Yaskawa America has announced plans to construct a high-tech robotic manufacturing plant at a new campus in Franklin, Wisconsin. This marks the first time the company’s high-volume industrial robots will be built in the United States, reflecting a shift toward domestic production. Robots assembled in Franklin will ship directly to customers across the Americas or head to Yaskawa’s Miamisburg, Ohio facility for integration into complete automation systems.
This expansion aims to improve delivery timelines, strengthen supply chain resilience, and increase production agility. By locating manufacturing closer to its customer base, Yaskawa is investing in faster fulfillment and improved support for automation demands in North and South America.
Consolidation of Drives and Motion Operations
Beyond robot manufacturing, the Franklin site is designed to become a central operational hub for Yaskawa’s Drives and Motion business. Over a multi-phase buildout spanning three to eight years, the company will consolidate several of its Wisconsin and Illinois facilities into this single campus. The completed footprint will exceed 800,000 square feet and include space for advanced manufacturing, packaging, product development, and workforce training.
Once operational, the Franklin campus will house the North American headquarters for the Drives and Motion Division. This includes production lines for motion control technologies, AC drives, and solar inverter systems—all part of Yaskawa’s industrial automation product lineup.
Ongoing Growth at Motoman Headquarters
While the Franklin facility focuses on scaling manufacturing and unification, the Motoman Robotics Division will continue to operate independently from its existing campus in Miamisburg, Ohio. That location recently underwent its own expansion, reinforcing its role as a center for robotics integration and engineering services.
According to Yaskawa America CEO Mike Knapek, the new Wisconsin investment sets the stage for broader innovation and regional growth. “Bringing our operations together under one roof allows us to scale more efficiently while continuing to invest in engineering excellence and automation capabilities,” he said.
A Long-Term Commitment to U.S. Manufacturing
The Franklin expansion aligns with Yaskawa Electric Corporation’s global vision, now in its 110th year. It supports Yaskawa’s goal to advance industrial automation by bringing manufacturing closer to customers and providing faster, more adaptable solutions.
Yaskawa’s product portfolio ranges from servo motors and motion controllers to collaborative and industrial robots. With demand for robotics and automation rising steadily across multiple industries, this move enhances the company’s ability to serve its growing customer base with greater speed, flexibility, and support.
