York, Pa. — Engel North America doubled the space of the automation center at its headquarters in York to enhance the machine builder's production capabilities and range of solutions for processors of thermoplastics and elastomers.
The renovation of 15,000 square feet began in August 2022 to give Engel's team of 35 employees more space to cater to robot demand in the U.S. and Canadian market, where the company says it has already sold $35 million of automation products.
The expanded center for the subsidiary of Schwertberg, Austria-based Engel can handle 13 projects running in parallel and has the capacity for 50-70 projects annually. The goal is to optimize performance, precision and energy efficiency.
Engel says it delivers 350-400 robot and automation products to U.S. and Canadian customers every year and has more than 40 years of automation experience, including articulated robots and custom solutions, such as degating stations, label systems, conveying technologies, safety enclosures, feeding devices for insertions, quality inspection systems, cooling stations, end-of-arm tooling and assembly lines.
"With a focus on automotive, technical molding and medical industries, Engel delivers complete UL-certified production cells that cover every aspect from conception, design and manufacturing to startup, validation and after-sales service," Vanessa Malena, president of Engel North America, said in a news release. "From an idea to a fully integrated production system, Engel's advanced automation solutions are engineered to meet the unique demands of these industries."
Engel's automation products integrate into a single controller for seamless coordination with injection molding machines. The automation supports lean production principles, according to Stefan Aberl, vice president of automation at Engel North America.
"We are thrilled about the opening, which represents a significant step forward in our mission to deliver innovative solutions and outstanding service to our customers," Aberl said. "With this expansion, we are able to provide shorter lead times, increased capacity and enhanced quality, ensuring the utmost satisfaction for our valued customers."
Malena added: "With the costs of labor increasing, the scarcity of skilled labor and the decreasing costs of robots, we firmly believe in investing in the future growth of this market. Our new automation center positions us as a reliable partner, ready to support our customers' evolving needs."