Construction has begun on JR Automation’s $72.8 million global headquarters in Zeeland.
Local leaders joined representatives of JR Automation and parent company Hitachi Ltd. on Wednesday, Sept. 17, to break ground on the planned 286,000-square-foot headquarters at 800 Riley St. in Zeeland.
“This is more than a construction project; this is a strategic investment by Hitachi in the future of JR Automation,” said Doug LaCroix, chief procurement officer of JR Automation. “Our goal is to build a more agile, innovative and customer-focused space that not only reflects our 45 years of global growth but positions us to grow for decades to come.”
JR Automation currently operates nine facilities in West Michigan. The new facility will consolidate approximately 350 employees from several of these locations on one campus. The company also expects to add at least 150 new jobs at the new location.
“Bringing more of our teams together for the benefit of our customers is extremely beneficial for business,” said Dave DeGraaf, CEO of JR Automation. “This is also going to serve as an innovation hub. With technology advancing so rapidly and our customers demanding that type of innovation, we want to make sure we’ve got all of our teams under one roof so we can provide the best concepts to our customers.”
The facility will include 76,000 square feet of office space and 210,000 square feet dedicated to the assembly of customers’ automation projects. The project, led by Lakewood Construction of Holland, is expected to be completed by late fall 2026.
Founded by Ken Assink in 1980 as a small tool and die shop, the company that would become JR Automation has grown into a global leader in industrial automation and advanced manufacturing technology, with operations in the U.S., Europe and Asia.
As the company grew, it attracted investment from two private equity firms before Hitachi Ltd. acquired it in 2019.
“When Hitachi acquired JR Automation, they continued to invest in the business,” DeGraaf said. “And, when we came to the board with regard to this proposal, it was again encouraged to not only invest in the business but also invest in West Michigan, where they know the hub of automation, the skillset and the expertise is prevalent.”
JR Automation announced plans on Sept. 3 to build its new global headquarters in Zeeland following a strategic meeting in Tokyo with JR Automation and Hitachi leaders and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
The Zeeland Planning Commission, during its Sept. 4 meeting, unanimously approved JR Automation’s site plan and special land use permit for the project.
Currently headquartered at 4190 Sunnyside Drive in Holland, JR Automation employs over 2,000 people across 21 global locations and serves industries including aerospace, automotive, consumer goods, energy, life sciences and warehousing.
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