ABB Robotics hosted over 1,600 guests at its United States Robot Manufacturing Factory opening ceremony and Customer Days 2015 events, held at its North American headquarters and training center in Auburn Hills, Michigan, May 20-22.
Auburn Hills became the third worldwide manufacturing location of ABB robots and related equipment, joining Shanghai, China and Vasteras, Sweden. The new facility also marks the first of the major industrial robot companies commiting to serve the North American market, and ABB kicked it off in a major way.
“While Customer Days attendees enjoy seeing over 55 live robotic demonstrations and participating in their choice of 53 technical training seminars, an additional benefit is the chance to network directly with ABB Value Providers and colleagues from the United States and abroad," said John Bubnikovich, vice president, sales and marketing, robots and applications, ABB Robotics. “Customer Days is our annual opportunity to display the widest range of ABB robotic technology in one place."
The ceremony included addresses from ABB CEO Ulrich Spiesshofer, other senior ABB executives, Bruce H. Andrews, US deputy secretary of Congress, Suzan G. LeVine, US ambassador to Switzerland & Liechtenstein and Martin Dahinden, ambassador of Switzerland to the United States, along with local officials from Auburn Hills and Oakland County.
Attendees included current and potential customers, value providers, affiliated technology equipment providers, members of the media and for the Friday afternoon Open House, a fascinated crowd of children, friends and robot enthusiasts of all ages.
The Factory Opening Ceremony and Customers Days were also the first North American appearance of YuMi®, the world’s first truly collaborative dual-arm robot.
