WAUKEGAN, Ill. — Yaskawa America Inc. will invest at least $180 million and create more than 700 new high-paying jobs in Wisconsin.
Yaskawa America is experiencing significant growth, driven by innovation in robotics, motion control, AC drives, and solar inverters. The company’s newest investment in Wisconsin will consolidate its Illinois and Wisconsin facilities into one campus in Franklin, Wisconsin, over the next eight to 10 years.
The project includes relocating Yaskawa America’s North American headquarters and training facility from Waukegan, Illinois.
“I am really excited to be celebrating Yaskawa’s decision to relocate its headquarters to Wisconsin and expand its footprint here in the Badger State, bringing with them millions of dollars in capital investment in Southeastern Wisconsin and hundreds of high-quality, family-supporting jobs,” said Gov. Tony Evers in a press release from Yaskawa America. “Companies from across the globe are choosing Wisconsin to grow and expand because they know we have the best workers making the best products. Wisconsin is continuing to strengthen our position as a leader in advanced manufacturing, and we’re glad to help support this expansion and Yaskawa’s continued success in our state.”
The expansion marks a significant milestone as Yaskawa Electric Corp. celebrates its 110th anniversary globally, and Yaskawa America Inc. celebrates 58 years of sales, innovation, manufacturing, and service in the United States. Yaskawa America manufactures industrial robots, motion-control products, low- and medium-voltage AC drives, and solar inverters for numerous industries, including semiconductor, solar, machine tool, automotive, HVAC, and oil and gas. With the expansion, the company will also begin manufacturing robots in Franklin that will be shipped directly to customers or integrated into production lines at its Ohio facility.
“The Drives & Motion Division of Yaskawa America Inc. is proud to announce the unification of all its current manufacturing and office locations in Wisconsin and Illinois into a single, consolidated campus in Franklin,” said Mike Knapek, CEO of Yaskawa America. “We take pride in our cutting-edge technology, our commitment to quality, and our world-class manufacturing, and we look forward to a strong future of growth and innovation in Franklin.”
Evers announced that the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) is supporting the project by authorizing up to $18 million in performance-based tax credits. The actual amount of tax credits received is contingent upon the number of jobs created and the amount of capital investment during that period.
“Yaskawa joins the growing roster of innovative global companies that are choosing to grow in Wisconsin,” said Missy Hughes, WEDC secretary and CEO. “With their emphasis on advanced manufacturing and cutting-edge technology, they are a perfect fit for our state.”
The new campus will include a headquarters, training, and lab building, manufacturing and packaging facilities, and robotics and semiconductor production operations. It will encompass more than 800,000 square feet.