Swisslog completes $2M renovations on Newport News HQ
A Swiss tech company recently completed a $2 million upgrade to its American headquarters in Newport News as the coronavirus pandemic increases the demand for its automation services.
Swisslog, which makes robotics and automation systems for distribution warehouses, recently completed an overhaul of its 44,066-square-foot and 21,000square-foot buildings in Newport News, which include administrative offices, human resources, software controls, customer service and other departments.
The company came to Hampton Roads in 1998 when it bought Munck Automation Technology in Newport News. The facility was due for an upgrade, said Swisslog Americas President Markus Schmidt. He joked that the buildings pre-upgrade looked “a little bit 1980s.”
Swisslog leaders wanted the remodeled vibe to be more like a hip San Francisco tech startup, Schmidt said. So, they gutted both buildings and completely renovated the offices. The remodeled buildings include more flexible workspaces and upgrades to offices, conference rooms, the kitchen and break room.
“We went and invested in the building infrastructure here on this campus — both of the buildings — in order to create a really modern and productive work environment,” Schmidt said.
Company leaders also want to attract and retain skilled workers in Hampton Roads, he said. The company has partnerships with universities like Old Dominion University and local community colleges, but Schmidt said a modern office is another tool Swisslog now has to stand out to top talent.
Business itself at Swisslog has been boosted by the nature of the coronavirus pandemic, Schmidt said. Clients, which include big box retailers like Walmart and Target, are ramping up automation in their warehouses as they begin to focus even more on e-commerce and delivery. Orders received during the third quarter grew by 9.5% compared with 2019, earning the company 140.8 million euros.
“We can call ourselves very lucky,” he said about the company’s ability to survive during the pandemic.
Company leaders also want to continue to grow operations in Newport News, he added. The renovations were completed during the second quarter of 2020.
Swisslog is a division of German robotics company KUKA. Swisslog includes more than 2,500 total employees working at 20 locations around the world, including Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Australia and South America.The Newport News facility employs 345 people. In the U.S., the company also has locations in Mason, Ohio, and Salida, California.