Automation provider Schneider Electric has announced it will invest about $46 million in its Lexington, KY and Lincoln, NE manufacturing plants. Accordingly, the plan is to modernize their operations and increase circuit breaker and related electrical product output. Particularly, these expansion aims to reach out its customers in the United States and Canada.

The new investment augments the more than US$100 million the company earmarked in 2021 to strengthen regional capability. In addition, this also increases manufacturing capacity in the North American region, which saw 12.6 percent growth in 2021.

Advanced Automation Technologies

The modernization efforts in the two plants will include installing new equipment and machinery with the most current and connected technology and automation. Particularly, the newer technology, coupled with using an architecture optimized for digitization, will help increase the plants’ quality and capacity. Hence, making their operations more energy efficient.

Furthermore, these upgraded manufacturing facilities enabled by digitization and connectivity will improve operational efficiency and mean time between failures. Moreover, the average time between repairable failures of a technology product.

Nevertheless, the new, advanced equipment will highlight connectivity. Hence, employees will be able to monitor and adjust energy usage and perform online diagnostics and predictive maintenance tasks remotely.

“To keep pace with the near and long-term demand for our products and to plan for the future, we must invest in our supply chain capabilities,” said Ken Engel, senior vice president, Global Supply Chain, North America. “Our duty always, and particularly in the context of the current economic and energy environment, is to serve the needs of our customers and partners across our manufacturing and distribution network. These investments are proof of that commitment.”