JR Automation opens new $15.5 million technology center in Greenville
- JR Automation opened a new 215,000-square-foot facility in Greenville, South Carolina.
- The project represents a $15.5 million investment for the Hitachi subsidiary.
- The center currently employs 100 people with plans for future workforce expansion.
- CEO Yusuke Kazama stated the facility strengthens support for customer manufacturing operations.
- The expansion marks a strategic shift toward becoming a comprehensive manufacturing operations partner.
JR Automation held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its new Automation Technology Center at 201 Piedmont Grove Park in Greenville, South Carolina, on 4 November 2026.
Hitachi Ltd., the parent company of the Michigan-based firm, organised the grand opening event featuring facility tours and executive remarks.
The expansion reflects a strategic shift for the company from automation integration to becoming a comprehensive manufacturing operations partner.
Facility represents $15.5 million investment
The facility represents a total investment of $15.5 million, according to reports from the Upstate Business Journal and mlive.com. Crain's Grand Rapids Business previously reported the construction cost at $15 million on 2 November 2026.
The site spans more than 215,000 square feet in total footprint.
Company shifts to comprehensive manufacturing operations partner
JR Automation is transitioning from an automation integration firm to a comprehensive manufacturing operations partner.
By combining this foundation with digital technology, data, and artificial intelligence, including Physical AI, the company aims to help customers build better production systems and improve how those systems operate.
Center supports 100 jobs with plans for growth
The new Greenville facility currently employs approximately 100 people.
The company intends to expand its workforce at the site in the future.
The center is designed to consolidate engineering, integration, project execution, and customer collaboration functions to support complex automation programmes.
Hitachi subsidiary maintains global integration focus
JR Automation is a subsidiary of Hitachi, Ltd.
The company is headquartered in Holland, Michigan, and has been in operation since 1980.
It possesses over 40 years of experience in the design and manufacturing of automation systems.
The company provides single-source integration of physical assets and data to help customers achieve their Industry 4.0 visions.
Additional expansion planned for Pickens County
This expansion is expected to create 56 new jobs. Alliance Pickens reported that the company chose this location due to workforce pipelines and technical education programmes at Clemson University, Tri-County Technical College, and the School District of Pickens County.
Other industrial developments in Greenville
Other industrial developments in Greenville include the arrival of Idealworks, a global industrial automation company and BMW Group subsidiary founded in 2020, which has established its U.S. headquarters in the area.
The company is moving from a 45,000-square-foot leased facility to an 80,000-square-foot owned site at 120 Elcon Drive.
Michigan headquarters project continues
The project is expected to be completed in May 2027.
Upon completion, the facility will consolidate approximately 350 employees and create at least 150 new jobs.
Frequently Asked Questions
- JR Automation holds ribbon cutting for Greenville Automation Technology Center (upstatebusinessjournal.com)
- JR Automation (tavily.com)
- JR Automation Expands Footprint With Greenville Facility | Manufacturing News Desk | advancedmanufacturing.org (advancedmanufacturing.org)
- JR Automation Opens Greenville, SC Tech Center (hoodline.com)
- West Michigan robotics company opens $15.5M South Carolina facility - mlive.com (mlive.com)
- Fortive (Wikipedia — background) (en.wikipedia.org)
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