Schneider Electric reported Oct. 12 that it will invest about $46 million to modernize operations and increase output of circuit breakers and related electrical products at its plants in Lexington, Ky., and Lincoln, Neb. This investment augments the more than $100 million the company earmarked in 2021 to expedite reshoring of its manufacturing to the North American region, which grew organically by 12.6% in fiscal year 2021.
Modernization at the 65-year-old Lexington plant and 50-year-old Lincoln plant will include installing new equipment with the most current and connected technology and automation. This newer technology, coupled with using an architecture optimized for digitization, will help increase the plants’ quality and capacity and make their operations more energy efficient. Further, these upgraded manufacturing facilities enabled by digitization and connectivity will improve operational efficiency and mean time between failures, or the average time between repairable failures of a technology product. Since the new, advanced equipment will be connected, employees will be able to monitor and adjust energy usage and perform online diagnostics and predictive maintenance tasks remotely.
The Lexington plant is recognized by the World Economic Forum as an Advanced Lighthouse and a Sustainability Lighthouse for its adoption and use of 4IR technologies and for achieving sustainability and productivity breakthroughs, respectively.
“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 VP for the global supply chain in North America at Schneider Electric. “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.”
