RobotWorx Robotic Systems Expand in Marion, Ohio
July 31, 2000
Marion,
Ohio—RobotWorx Robotic Systems plans to double its workforce and add
robotic welding and metal fabrication capabilities with the company’s move to
the Marion Manufacturing and Storage Center at Cheney Avenue and Barks Road in
Marion, Ohio.
The
210,000 square foot building that was once part of the Marion Power Shovel
complex now houses Caterpillar’s Marion Division in its western half.
RobotWorx will occupy 20,000 square feet in the eastern half of the structure.
The building, with its two 150-ton cranes, is the site where the Marion
Power Shovel Company constructed the Space Shuttle transporters used today at
Cape Canaveral to move shuttles from their hangars to the launch pads.
RobotWorx
is a robotics integration company, specializing in plasma cutting and welding
robotics. It was formed in August
of 1992 in Indianapolis. Recently,
President Keith Wanner moved the operation to Delaware, Ohio in a building owned
by his brother housing Wanner Metal Works.
“The move to Marion gives us our own identity and significantly
increases our capabilities,” said Wanner.
In
addition to its core business of integrating, rebuilding and customizing
industrial robots, the company now plans to begin using the machines it builds
to perform customized welding and metal fabrication work.
RobotWorx is purchasing what the company believes will be the largest
horizontal boring mill in Ohio. The
mill will be installed during the week of July 31st
in the Cheney Avenue facility. It
requires 875 square feet of floor space, stands 20 feet high and has a 24-foot
tooling bed. The machine can bore
holes up to six inches in diameter through large steel castings or plate steel.
RobotWorx
has installed robotic systems in Caterpillar facilities in Aurora, Illinois.
Caterpillar executives encouraged RobotWorx to increase their
capabilities and move into the Cheney Avenue facility.
President Wanner hopes RobotWorx’ location in the same building as
Caterpillar’s Marion Division will give the company the opportunity to perform
specialized welding operations for Caterpillar.
The two companies will share a paint booth.
The co-location will also reduce paperwork and moving costs normally
associated with outsourced fabrication.
“We’ve had an excellent relationship with Caterpillar in the past,” said Wanner, “and we expect it to continue in the future with our move to Marion.”
Proximity
to one of their largest customers is one reason for RobotWorx’ move to Marion.
But several other factors also combine to make the move the right choice
for the company. “This
building’s high ceilings and heavy lift capabilities are a definite plus for
us,” said Wanner. In addition,
Wanner cites a welcoming attitude from the community and building owner Ted
Graham as significant factors.
During
their decision-making process, the company met with Marion CAN DO!, Marion
County’s non-profit development organization.
As a result of that meeting, the company will be taking advantage of
Ohio’s Manufacturing Equipment Investment Tax Credit, in which 13.5% of the
value of the new equipment installed in the plant will be returned to the
company through credits to their corporate franchise taxes.
Wanner
is impressed by the ease with which he was able to work with building owner, Ted
Graham and Graham Investments. “Ted
made it real easy,” said Wanner. “Leasing
this space was easier than renting a trailer from U-Haul,” Wanner said.
Wanner
is encouraged about the capabilities he’s finding in the Marion workforce.
The skills honed at the Marion Power Shovel Company, HPM Remanufacturing
and other Marion companies will be put to use by RobotWorx.
“We’ve already hired one person who worked in this building for
Marion Power Shovel,” said Tom Smith, RobotWorx Vice President. “We believe we can find the welders, machinists and
fabricators we’ll need here in this area.”
The company plans to bring ten employees to Marion from their Delaware
operation and add more as the business grows.
Ted
Graham notes that, in many ways, RobotWorx is similar to other companies growing
in his facilities. Graham manages
over two million square feet of industrial and warehouse space in and near
Marion. “We can offer companies
the space they need today with the ability to expand as their operations
grow,” said Graham.
Other
tenants who started in smaller spaces and grew significantly include Buckeye
Iron Works, which later became Caterpillar’s Marion Division.
The company started in 20,000 square feet and now occupies 75,000.
Bradley Mills, which makes commercial bathroom fixtures, started two
years ago in 15,000 square feet and has doubled to 30,000.
Golden Valley Microwave Foods, a division of ConAgra, started making Act
II brand microwave popcorn in 15,000 square feet and now occupies 250,000 square
feet at Graham’s Marion Industrial Center.
RobotWorx
is a privately held corporation with 1999 sales of $1.5 million.
“We expect to double that figure in 2000,” said president Wanner.
The company is projecting 25% annual growth for the next five years.
More information about RobotWorx and its products is available at the company’s Web site, www.robots4welding.com. Information about economic development in the Marion community is available at www.mariononline.com/cando and information about Graham Investment properties is at www.micwarehouse.com.
Or contact:
Keith
Wanner, President, RobotWorx
740-368-9679
Ted Graham, President, Graham Investments
740-387-3400