A rendering of the new building.
Governor Tony Evers, together with the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) and company officials, announced that Yaskawa America 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 its 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. Evers. “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.”
This expansion marks a significant milestone as Yaskawa Electric Corporation celebrates its 110th anniversary globally, and Yaskawa America, Inc. celebrates 58 years of sales, innovation, manufacturing, and service in the United States. The Yaskawa America business 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, pumping, oil and gas and others.
“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.”
Governor Evers announced that the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) is supporting the project by authorizing up to $18 million performance-based Enterprise Zone 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 over 800,000 sq. ft, strengthening Wisconsin’s position in advanced manufacturing. Yaskawa is the latest company to invest in Franklin.
Milwaukee 7, southeast Wisconsin’s regional economic development organization, also assisted in the company’s expansion efforts.
“We’re delighted that Yaskawa has chosen southeast Wisconsin for its expansion and for the new location of its North American headquarters,” said Gale Klappa, co-chair of Milwaukee 7 and Chairman of the Board of WEC Energy Group. “This exciting investment — announced today — is a testament to the region’s strengths in automation and advanced manufacturing.”
News item from Yaskawa America
“This expansion marks a significant milestone as Yaskawa Electric Corporation celebrates its 110th anniversary globally, and Yaskawa America, Inc. celebrates 58 years of sales, innovation, manufacturing, and service in the United States.”
Yaskawa has been known for decades as the go to industrial controls company that can design a VFD for harsh environments from waste water to mining to manufacturing lines demanding maximum up time. The company has an excellent track record in the inverter controls industry. IF a company has the need to have a 1,000 H.P. drive operating in 150 degrees F on any given day, Yaskawa can design and implement a solution. A redesigned YASKAWA A1000 drive could well become a go to for large scale solar PV farms and part of Utility Scale Energy Storage Facilities.
This is great! Hopefully Wisconsin can attract more manufacturers to the state. I’m from near Stevens Point/Plover metropolitan area, and we have area to build manufacturing facilities. We have I-39, US 10 and US 51 all four lane highways and major electrical transmission lines nearby as well as the surrounding areas of Waupaca, Wausau, Marshfield and Wisconsin Rapids all within a 30 minute commute from Stevens Point.