Tom Bouchier, Managing Director of FANUC UK, spoke with the former John Lewis boss on plans to expand the company’s 107,000 sq ft Ansty Park site in Coventry by 25% over the next year and called for greater collaboration across the automation industry to aid growth and improve productivity in the UK.
Bouchier hopes the move will create a further 15 jobs on top of the 130 staff already based at the site.
The West Midlands Mayor was joined by Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership (CWLEP) Growth Hub Strategic Account Manager Phil Peak on the tour. The Growth Hub has worked with FANUC UK for over 3 years in order to raise its profile and boost connections across Coventry and Warwickshire.
Andy Street said: “Discussing the future of FANUC and the automation industry with Tom gave me a real insight into how crucial further development is going to be for the regional economy over the coming years.
“Tom has an extremely positive outlook on the future of the industry and has a genuine desire to work with other companies to discover best practice, innovate and share ideas.
“He believes this will be for the greater good of the UK economy and I agree.
“The current UK base for FANUC in Coventry is a hugely impressive site and I wish the company every success with its expansion plans.”
FANUC UK provides industrial automation solutions using CNC controllers, robotics and robomachines.
On a global level, the company has its roots in Japan and supports a total of 108 countries worldwide.
FANUC UK Managing Director Tom Bouchier said: “I believe that the future of automation is so vast in its scope that there should be a greater focus on incorporating greater automation at all levels across the UK.
“We have our own part to play in that and our expansion, teamed up with an ever increasing focus on apprenticeships, shows we are looking to the future.
“To get the support of Andy Street and to run him through our plans was a pleasure.”
CWLEP Growth Hub Strategic Account Manager Phil Peak said: “FANUC UK is a world-class company and their depth of knowledge means they are perfect for us to put forward as an example of an automation company doing things in the right way.
“We are pleased to hear of their plans for expansion and job creation and look forward to continuing to work with Tom and his team.”
