WESTBOROUGH, Mass. - Amazon announced the opening of a new, first-of-its-kind robotics manufacturing facility in Westborough on Thursday.
The new facility will expand Amazon Robotics manufacturing capability in the U.S. and add more than 200 new jobs in Massachusetts.
“Massachusetts offers a highly talented workforce, and this Amazon facility opening further cements our state’s reputation as a key center for robotics development,” Lt. Governor Karyn Polito said. “The opening of this new state-of-the-art robotics facility creates new jobs for individuals across a wide range of skills and backgrounds in addition to the 1,500 new seasonal jobs Amazon has created in the Commonwealth as the company continues its investment in the state’s economic growth and development and I am pleased to be here for this opening, especially during STEM Week in Massachusetts.”
The 350,000-square-foot facility will feature corporate offices, research and development labs, and manufacturing space. Along with Amazon Robotics’ current site in North Reading, Amazon hopes the two facilities serve as an epicenter of the company’s robotics innovation.
“When large companies that are well known invest in a region, that sends a signal as well so it’s a positive,” Tim Murray, President and CEO of the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce, said.
Workers will help build robots, which will be sent to other Amazon Facilities across the World. They’ll help other workers at distribution centers fill orders safely.
“This innovation and manufacturing hub along with sister site in North Reading, Massachusetts, places Amazon at the epicenter of robotics innovation here in Massachusetts for years to come," Scott Dresser, Vice President of Amazon Robotics, said.
State leaders says it’s a good development, as careers involving math, science, and technology are on the rise. In the last year, jobs in the STEM field have grown by 18% in Massachusetts and are expected to keep growing by more than 7% yearly.
“We all need to work together to make sure that we have people with the skills and abilities that know how to do the work that you need and we need as part of our very special economy," Lt. Gov. Polito said.
Earlier this week, Amazon announced it is hiring for 150,000 seasonal jobs, including 1,500 in Massachusetts. The jobs include stowing, picking, packing, and sorting customer orders, in addition to roles in management, IT, HR, safety, and security.
The facility, located at 50 Otis Street, will be used to make mobile drive units which help Amazon employees to safely fulfill customer orders.