🤖 Advanced Manufacturing #3

This week in the Advanced Manufacturing sector, significant investments and strategic expansions are reshaping the landscape. Schneider Electric is committing $51M to a net-zero manufacturing plant in the UK, creating 200 jobs and positioning Scarborough as a green manufacturing hub. HP Inc. is making its debut in Saudi Arabia with an advanced manufacturing facility in Riyadh and an AI R&D center in Dhahran, aimed at creating thousands of jobs and boosting local production. Eaton is expanding its footprint in South Carolina with a $340M investment, bringing 700 jobs through a new facility producing transformers to modernize the US grid.

Upskilling efforts are also underway, with the opening of Waco's $17M WorkSITE facility to train workers in high-demand technical skills and DTI's Phase 2 of the SkillsUpNet Philippines program focusing on high-tech manufacturing and renewable energy. Additionally, the Adani Group and ITEES are launching India’s largest skill initiative, the Adani Global Skills Academy, offering world-class training in manufacturing and clean energy. On the policy front, Invest Karnataka 2025 aims to foster balanced regional growth with $116B in committed investments and 600,000 job opportunities.

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Advanced Manufacturing Labor Market Trends

⚡ Schneider Electric Invests $51M in UK Net-Zero Manufacturing Expansion. Schneider Electric is investing $51 million in a new state-of-the-art manufacturing plant in Scarborough, UK, set to triple its existing site and create over 200 jobs. The facility, designed for net-zero Scope 1 and 2 emissions, will use solar power, smart energy management, and fully electric paint lines. It supports green skills development, biodiversity initiatives, and sustainable transport, reinforcing Yorkshire’s role as a hub for green manufacturing innovation.

💻 HP to Open its First Manufacturing Facility in Riyadh and Expand AI R&D in Saudi Arabia. HP Inc. is launching its first advanced manufacturing facility in Riyadh and an AI & R&D Center of Excellence in Dhahran, creating thousands of jobs by 2027. The facility will manufacture desktops, laptops, and printers under the "Made in Saudi Arabia" initiative, boosting local production and exports. The AI center will develop industry-specific solutions for smart cities, healthcare, and energy, while new training programs will prepare Saudi talent for high-demand roles in AI and advanced manufacturing.

🏭 Eaton Expands in South Carolina, Bringing 700 Jobs to Union County. Eaton is investing $340M to establish a new manufacturing facility in Union County, creating 700 jobs. The Jonesville plant will produce three-phase transformers, strengthening US grid infrastructure and utility modernization. Eaton, a longtime South Carolina employer with operations in 160+ countries, will retrofit an 861,000 sq. ft. facility—its 11th in the state. Hiring and production are set to begin in 2027.

South Korea Leads the World in Factory Robot Density

🤖 The global average robot density in the manufacturing sector reached 162 units per 10,000 employees in 2023, doubling from 74 units in just 7 years, highlighting the rapid expansion of industrial automation.

📊 The EU tops the list with 219 units, followed closely by North America with 197 units and Asia with 182 units. Asia saw the most rapid growth at 7.6%, outpacing North America’s 4.2% and Europe’s 5.2% increases.

🏭 South Korea is the most automated country with 1,012 robots per 10,000 workers. Singapore and China follow, with China surpassing Germany and Japan in 2023.

✅ The United States ranks 10th with 295 robots per 10,000 employees, while Germany (429 units) remains Europe’s automation leader, sustaining a 5% CAGR since 2018.

Upskilling/Reskilling Initiatives

🏗️ New WorkSITE Facility in Waco to Boost Skilled Workforce Training. The City of Waco, McLennan County, and TSTC have opened the $17M, 34,000 sq. ft. WorkSITE facility to expand access to workforce training. Prosper Waco will recruit unemployed and underemployed individuals, helping them earn industry-recognized credentials. The facility will offer certifications in NCCER Core, OSHA-10, and OSHA-30, mechatronics, advanced manufacturing, and forklift operation, ensuring local workers are prepared for in-demand technical jobs.

🚀 DTI Launches Phase 2 of Industry-Specific Skills Program to Address Talent Shortage. The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), in collaboration with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and TESDA, has launched Phase 2 of the SkillsUpNet Philippines (SUN PH) program. The initiative aims to provide specialized workforce training to address skill gaps in high-growth sectors such as renewable energy, advanced manufacturing, and electric vehicles. This phase will expand on the success of Phase 1, which trained 1,500 workers.

⚙️ Adani Group & ITEES Partner for India’s ‘Largest Skill Initiative’ in Mundra. The Adani Group has partnered with Singapore’s ITEES to launch a large-scale upskilling initiative. The Adani Global Skills Academy in Mundra will train 25,000 learners annually in sectors like manufacturing, industrial design, and clean energy. Equipped with AI simulators and mixed reality learning, the academy will focus on students from technical and vocational backgrounds, offering boot camps and global-standard certifications. Backed by a $24M crore donation, the program aims to provide industry-ready talent for the needs of both the Adani Group and the wider industry.

Policy Initiatives

💰 Invest Karnataka 2025 Concludes with approximately $110B+ in Commitments, 600K Jobs Expected. The Invest Karnataka 2025 initiative has successfully concluded with $116B in committed investments, with a target of over 600,000 jobs. Notably, 75% of the investments will be directed to areas outside Bengaluru, with more than 45% focused on North Karnataka, aligning with the state’s strategy for balanced regional development. This initiative highlights Karnataka's continued appeal as a hub for diverse industries, fostering sustainable economic growth across the state.

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