KUKA Systems Aerospace just opened a new facility in France. The new R&D and production facility 
for advanced automation solutions is in Le Haillan, a suburb of Bordeaux (south-western France).
This investment underscores KUKA’s commitment to meeting the rising global demand for sophisticated robotic processes used in aircraft assembly. The Le Haillan facility manufactures multi-function end effectors, as does the KUKA Systems global headquarters for aerospace in the United States.
“This dual manufacturing capability creates synergy in the manufacture and support of this key technology for our customers worldwide,” says Robert Reno, Group Vice President, KUKA Systems Aerospace. KUKA acquired the French operation, formerly known as Alema Automation, a leading manufacturer of aerospace tooling solutions for stationary, track-mounted and mobile robotic platforms, in March 2014. That followed years of a distributorship agreement and close collaboration between the companies.
Construction of the facility in Le Haillan was finished this January, on time and on budget. The building comprises 1,445 square meters of production space and 1,123 square meters for engineering and other departments.
