Yaskawa opens new robot distribution centre and system production in Kočevje

Yaskawa’s strong mainstay in Europe

Yaskawa continues to expand its robotics system production and distribution capabilities in Europe: on 30 June, Hiroshi Ogasawara (Representative Director & Chairman of the Board, Yaskawa Electric Corporation) and Pär Tornemo (CEO Yaskawa Europe GmbH) among Slovenian Minister for Economy, Labour and Sport Dr. Anže Logar and Akiko Yoshida, Ambassador of Japan to Slovenia, officially opened the new European Robotics Distribution Centre and an additional assembly hall for robot systems at the Slovenian site in Kočevje.

With the current investment of approximately €32 million, Yaskawa now has a central distribution facility for accepting and executing robot orders from across the EMEA region (Europe, Middle East and Africa). This is located next to the first European Robot factory of Yaskawa opened in 2018 and is completing the Yaskawa Campus. By the financial year 2027 at least 80 percent of orders from EMEA markets are to be processed here. In addition, recent new construction measures are increasing the production and storage area in Kočevje to currently more than 30.000 square metres.

Short supply chains for EMEA

On behalf of Yaskawa Europe, on the occasion of the opening Pär Tornemo announced: “As a global technology supplier in the field of robotics, drives and motion technology, we are pleased to be able to further strengthen our operational on-site presence in Europe. The EMEA region remains a hugely important market for Yaskawa as a company overall.”

Minister for Economy, Labour and Sport Dr. Anže Logar stated: “Yaskawa's investments in Slovenia to date demonstrate not only ambition, but also trust – in people, in knowledge and in the environment that enables development. With them, Slovenia is also becoming part of the industry of the future.” He added: “The Yaskawa project is an excellent example of cooperation between a foreign investor, the local environment, educational institutions and the state. Such partnerships create long-term effects, strengthen added value and economic development.”

Ambassador of Japan to Slovenia Akiko Yoshida said: “This milestone occasion represents not simply the completion of new facilities, but the beginning of a new chapter for Yaskawa's operations in Europe and the wider EMEA region. It is a remarkable vote of confidence in Slovenia's capabilities and in the long-term partnership between the two countries, as it symbolizes the integration of Japan's advanced technological expertise with Slovenia's outstanding research, development and manufacturing. Yaskawa's success demonstrates how Japan and Slovenia can create greater value together than either could achieve alone.”

Pär Tornemo added: “With a view to current global economic conditions, customers in Europe and beyond benefit particularly strongly from short supply chains. With the new central robotics distribution centre we are improving not only our own logistics processes, but also productivity and efficiency in our customers’ supply chain.”

Europe in strategic focus

The strengthening of the Slovenian site Kočevje concurs with the European expansion strategy that Yaskawa has been pursuing for years. The aim is to become one of the leading manufacturers of industrial robots in Europe in the medium term.

In 2018, Yaskawa’s first European robot plant began production in Kočevje, 60 km southeast of Ljubljana. As early as 1996, the Slovenian group company Yaskawa Ristro was founded in nearby Ribnica, which has now also relocated to the new Yaskawa Campus in Kočevje.

Dr. Hubert Kosler, Managing Director Yaskawa Europe Robotics and Yaskawa Slovenia, sums up: “Over the last few years with the Yaskawa Campus we have created a powerful centre for the development and production of Motoman robots, including fixtures and systems for advanced automation systems, mainly for welding. Bringing all these functions together on our new campus will unlock significant synergies. Our System engineering capabilities helped us a lot to set up our own production and introduce new state-of-the-art processes.”