A global automation company has chosen Windsor-Essex as its North American home.
AXILE Machine, a subsidiary of the Taiwan-based Buffalo Machinery, held a grand opening Wednesday for its Rhodes Drive headquarters. Invest WindsorEssex said that AXILE was the focus of expansion talk in the region for over a year.
"Invest WindsorEssex is extremely pleased to welcome AXILE Machine to our region," said Invest WindsorEssex President and CEO Stephen Mackenzie. "This is a prime example of a forward-thinking, global automation company choosing Windsor-Essex to establish its North American operations as a result of our strategic location and advanced manufacturing excellence."
AXILE produces advanced technology solutions for machine tools, and the Windsor operation will house the sales and training group for its Industry 4.0 line of products. According to its president, Dr. Paul Chang, the region is ideal for AXILE's growth, considering the investment already coming to Windsor-Essex.
"This is the trigger for the AXILE high-tech automation products' further development in the region," said Chang. "AXILE endeavours to offer its intelligent automation and management, digital products, training application and service excellence to the regional industries."
AXILE will begin by hiring five local employees to support existing clients, buoyed by a $3.5-million investment. Over the next three years, the firm hopes to hire 25 employees.
The Windsor operation will consist of a Foreign Trade Zone-bonded warehouse and a training facility.