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Amazon, the US global giant, has announced that it is to open a first-of-its-kind robotics manufacturing facility in Westborough, Massachusetts.
The company revealed that the new facility will help expand its robotics manufacturing capabilities and growth as well as create over 200 jobs in the state of Massachusetts.
Joe Quinlivan, the Vice President of Amazon Robotics, announced the details of the robotics facility, saying “We care about the communities where we operate. This is why we are proud to expand high-tech robotics manufacturing in the U.S. and in Massachusetts specifically with the opening of this new facility. As a company, we have created more than 20,000 jobs in Massachusetts since 2010 in communities from Boston to Westborough and beyond. This latest addition to Amazon’s presence in the Commonwealth brings great jobs, from hourly manufacturing roles to engineers and developers working on advancements in robotics, to help our facilities run safely and meet our customers’ needs.”
Amazon has been gradually introducing robotics into its facilities since 2012, creating more than a million new jobs around the world and are committed to investing US$1.2bn to upskill over 250,000 employees by 2025 before moving them to higher-paying, in-demand jobs.
Karyn Polito, the Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts, welcomed the announcement, declaring “Massachusetts offers a highly talented workforce, and this Amazon facility opening further cements our state’s reputation as a key centre for robotics development. The opening of this new state-of-the-art robotics facility creates new jobs for individuals across a wide range of skills and backgrounds in addition to the 1,500 new seasonal jobs Amazon has created in the Commonwealth as the company continues its investment in the state’s economic growth and development and I am pleased to be here for this opening, especially during STEM Week in Massachusetts.”
The new 350,000 square foot manufacturing facility is designed to help Amazon grow its engineering, manufacturing, support and test teams in Massachusetts and also features corporate offices, research and development labs, and manufacturing space.
The opening of the new site, in conjunction with its current North Reading site, means that Massachusetts will serve as the epicenter for Amazon’s robotics innovation.
Mike Kennealy, Housing and Economic Development Secretary, also took the time to praise the project, stating “I want to welcome Amazon Robotics to Westborough and congratulate them for choosing to build out this first-of-its-kind facility in Massachusetts. This facility reaffirms the importance of the work we have done to build a talented workforce, foster innovation, and create an ecosystem in the Commonwealth that allows innovation to grow and thrive.”
Kristi Williams, Westborough’s town manager, in turn welcomed the decision to locate the robotics facility in the town, saying “The opening of this robotics manufacturing facility and the new jobs it provides demonstrate the strength of our regional economy and our workforce. We look forward to a strong partnership with Amazon Robotics.”
