Yaskawa America Unveils $180M Expansion Plan for Wisconsin HQ, Creating Over 700 Jobs

Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers has announced a major investment by Yaskawa America Inc., which will see the company invest $180 million to expand its presence in the Badger State. The investment will include the construction of a new 800,000-square-foot campus in Franklin, Wisconsin, which will serve as the company's North American headquarters, training and lab facilities, packaging, and robotics and semiconductor production. According to Dennis Fitzgerald, VP of customer satisfaction at Yaskawa America, the company is experiencing significant growth driven by its robotics, motion control, AC drives, and solar inverter businesses. The new campus is expected to be completed in the next eight to 10 years, with the majority of the manufacturing work in Franklin focused on Yaskawa's drives and motion products division over the next six years. However, Fitzgerald says that robotics will grow to a significant part of the company's Wisconsin operations in the next 10 to 20 years. The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation is supporting the project with up to $18 million in performance-based Enterprise Zone tax credits, contingent upon the number of jobs created and the amount of capital investment. Yaskawa paid $20 million for a 200,000-square-foot building in Franklin in 2023, which was previously occupied by a packaging company. Fitzgerald noted that many employees at the Waukegan facility live in the northern part of Illinois, so their commute to the new location will likely be shorter. For those living further south, Yaskawa is looking for opportunities to relocate workers interested in a change of scenery. Given the project timeframe, which Fitzgerald said could be as short as six years, some associates will likely retire before the new headquarters comes online. However, the company wants as many workers as possible to join the new site in Franklin. Yaskawa Electric Corporation, the global parent company of Yaskawa America, has been in business for over 110 years and has operated in the U.S. for nearly 60 years. The company's expansion in Wisconsin is a testament to its continued growth and investment in the American market. The new campus will not only create over 700 new jobs but also serve as a hub for innovation and development in robotics and other advanced technologies. The new campus will be a state-of-the-art facility that will showcase Yaskawa's commitment to innovation and excellence in robotics and other advanced technologies. The company's investment in Wisconsin is expected to have a positive impact on the local economy and create opportunities for growth and development for both Yaskawa and its employees. As a result of this investment, Wisconsin will become a hub for innovation and development in robotics and other advanced technologies, attracting top talent from around the world and contributing to the state's economic growth.