The new facility reinforces Michigan’s role in supply chain innovation by bringing customers together to experience automation in action.
Dematic unveiled its new Solutions Center at its Americas headquarters in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Serving as a global destination for customers, the nearly $50 million facility is the first integrated warehouse automation showcase of its kind in North America. This
investment demonstrates how automation, software and data intelligence can help organizations build more agile, resilient and scalable supply chains.
“Customers need greater confidence that their technology investments will deliver results. The Dematic Solutions Center was designed to help them evaluate integrated solutions, visualize what’s possible for their operations and make more informed decisions,” said Mike Larsson, Dematic president and KION executive board member. “This facility marks an important milestone for both Dematic and KION, creating a global destination where customers can explore the technologies shaping the future of supply chain automation.”
The nearly 40,000-square-foot facility is a fully functional fulfillment center that brings together automation, robotics, software and lifecycle services into one connected environment — demonstrating how integrated solutions work together in real-world operations. Customers can experience live demonstrations of end-to-end workflows featuring autonomous mobile robots, goods-to-person systems, robotic piece picking, palletizing and warehouse management software operating in a simulated warehouse setting.
The official opening of the Dematic Solutions Center brought together customers, community leaders, strategic partners and employees for a ribbon-cutting ceremony and tours of the newly redesigned facility.
“Grand Rapids has long been central to Dematic’s engineering and innovation efforts, making it the ideal home for a facility that showcases the future of supply chain automation,” said Chris Steiner, senior vice president of product management at Dematic. “By bringing together robotics, software, AI-driven insights and lifecycle solutions and services in one connected environment, the Dematic Solutions Center helps customers reduce risk and better understand how integrated technologies can solve today’s challenges and support future growth.”
As part of the event, Dematic announced a $150,000 donation to the nonprofit For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST) to support STEM education and workforce development initiatives. Over the past seven years, Dematic has contributed nearly $500,000 to FIRST through support for local robotics teams, regional competitions and student scholarships.
Dematic employs nearly 1,500 people in Michigan and more than 4,000 people across the United States. The Dematic Solutions Center will also support workforce development efforts by helping students, educators and future innovators explore how automation technologies are shaping the future of supply chains and global commerce.
