Robotics and Automation specialist Yaskawa is making a significant investment in its UK operations with the opening of a new headquarters and manufacturing facility in Sunderland. The new, state-of-the-art 35,000sq ft. facility at Hillthorn Park is adjacent to Nissan UK and the International Advanced Manufacturing Park and illustrates a continuation of Yaskawa’s ambitious expansion strategy across Europe following the trend towards of building-up technology know-how, along with production and supply competence across Europe.
Yaskawa has shipped over half a million industrial robots across the globe, thousands of which are deployed in the UK. One of the industries Yaskawa has seen new opportunities for growth over recent years is the electric and hybrid vehicles sector, which was a key motivator when moving to Hillthorn Park.
David Walsh, Managing Director at Yaskawa UK confirmed, “We continue to see positive growth and investment changes across our European organisation which includes the continued desire to invest in the growing opportunities for UK industry sectors in the robotics, and motion control industries we supply”. He continued, “This represents a huge vote of confidence in the UK and our new location in the North East is a significant driver for major industrial investment, helping to exploit the opportunities to help shape, create and contribute to innovative automation solutions across many industry sectors including Automotive, Food and Beverage, Logistics, Packaging and Manufacturing. Being close to customers is extremely important to us and this move binds perfectly with that, putting us right at the heart of one of the UK’s largest manufacturing clusters and some of the biggest names in electric vehicle development and production”.
Yaskawa also have plans to continue growing their headcount over the course of 2024 and the new facility provides the space to enable that, whilst ensuring they can continue to tap into the region’s rich talent pool of skilled workers. Yaskawa has been supported in its move to Sunderland by the Business Investment Team at Sunderland City Council. Cllr Graeme Miller, Leader of Sunderland City Council comments, “We are fortunate as a city to be home to a number of multi-national manufacturers and we are delighted that Yaskawa will be joining the ever-growing list of businesses that can call Sunderland home”.
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