In what could be a very first in the world, Swedish-Swiss multinational ABB would have its robots build robots in its $150 million robotics factory in Shanghai, China, the company announced Oct. 27,
ABB, which is headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, is a leader in robotics, heavy electrical equipment, and automation technology areas.
Aside from having ABB's trademark connected digital technologies and advanced artificial intelligence solutions, the new factory is also aimed at pioneering an environmentally sustainable "factory of the future." The manufacturing center, to be located in Kangqiao, is expected to be operational by the end of 2020, the company announced.
The new robotics facility would open up new employment opportunities. Currently, ABB employs 5,000 people in Shanghai, including more than 2,000 engineers, technology experts, and operational leaders in 20 locations across China. Since its first entry to the Chinese market, ABB has employed a total of 18,000 people.
The announcement said that the new factory shall further position ABB as China's number 1 robotics manufacturer. The development also puts ABB ahead of China's robotics market which is believed to be the largest in the world.
China bought one of every three robots created in the world in 2017. Specifically, the Asian superpower bought nearly 138,000 robots last year, ABB noted in its announcement.
The country has bought 36 percent of all robots in the world, more than any other country, according to a separate data released by the International Federation Of Robotics on Oc. 18.
China is one among five major markets which accounted for 73 percent of the sales of robotics last year according to the IFR data. The four other markets are Japan, South Korea, the United States, and Germany.
Among these five markets, however, China has rapidly expanded the gap by posting the most voracious demand for robotics. The country's total volume sales of 138,000 units were higher than the combined sales of all clients in Europe and the Americas' which was an estimated 112,400 units according to IFR. China's purchase of robots from international suppliers increased by 72 percent to 103,200 units in 2017, IFR said.
Aside from the "factory of the future," ABB, which has invested more than $2.4 billion in China since 1992, has also entered a comprehensive strategic cooperation agreement with the Shanghai municipal government.
Under the agreement, ABB will support the municipality's push for improved energy, transport, and infrastructure. More importantly, the Swedish-Swiss company would also promote the district's "Made in Shanghai" initiative. The agreement was signed by Shanghai Mayor Ying Yong and ABB CEO Ulrich Spiesshofer.
