
Authorities and trade leaders attended the Premier Innovation Hub opening. Supply: Premier Automation
Whereas the U.S. debates tips on how to reshore manufacturing, a number of initiatives are occurring on the state stage. Premier Automation final week introduced the launch of the Premier Innovation Hub, which it asserted shall be a nationwide mannequin for industrial automation, workforce growth, and expertise commercialization. The commonwealth of Pennsylvania has dedicated greater than $3 million in help the ability by a mixture of grants, loans, and coaching funds.
“We’re constructing a spot the place producers, engineers, and innovators can come collectively to speed up automation and industrial development,” acknowledged Michael Gunniers, president of Premier Automation. “That is greater than a facility—it’s a platform for rising new concepts, coaching the following era, and strengthening America’s manufacturing future.”
Premier Automation offers industrial management methods and drives. It additionally integrates robotics and delivers custom-engineered automation to enhance productiveness, security, and effectivity. The firm is predicated simply exterior Pittsburgh in Monroeville, Pa.
It stated it serves industries together with manufacturing, metals, vitality, and materials dealing with with turnkey options and deep engineering experience. “With a dedication to innovation and workforce growth, Premier Automation empowers U.S. producers to compete and develop in a quickly evolving international market,” the corporate stated.
Premier Innovation Hub leans into native strengths
Positioned in Westmoreland County, the Premier Innovation Hub will draw from a area recognized for its expertise in mining, metal, and glass manufacturing. At this time, the county is house to a workforce of practically 200,000 individuals with expertise throughout metals, plastics, glass, textiles, printing, medical expertise, paper, and logistics.
The brand new web site additionally advantages from being close to the Pittsburgh middle of innovation in synthetic intelligence, robotics, and superior engineering. Premier Automation stated this positions it effectively to attach conventional trade with fashionable expertise.
The Premier Innovation Hub is designed to shut the hole between cutting-edge automation applied sciences, together with robotics and AI innovation, and the sensible wants of conventional manufacturing industries. The power will help three key initiatives: expanded Premier Automation manufacturing operations, Premier Labs and the ventures it launches, and industrial lease area for firms targeted on industrial innovation.
Premier Labs is a brand new enterprise studio targeted on launching purpose-built firms in manufacturing automation and AI. Firms launched by labs will incubate on the Premier Innovation Hub, working intently with prospects and companions to resolve real-world challenges.

Premier Labs is a brand new enterprise studio with places of work in Pittsburgh and Atlanta. Supply: Premier Labs
Pennsylvania invests in tech workforce
Premier Automation stated it expects the challenge to create greater than 110 new full-time jobs and retain 130 present positions. It can additionally provide shared prototyping and testing services, workforce coaching, occasion areas, and collaborative assets for brand spanking new ventures and established firms alike.
“Manufacturing, robotics, and expertise are a few of the key industries recognized in Pennsylvania’s 10-year financial growth technique, and we couldn’t be prouder to help an revolutionary firm like Premier,” stated Rick Siger, secretary for the Pennsylvania Division of Group and Financial Growth (DCED). “We’re making daring, strategic investments in initiatives like this one ― which is injecting thousands and thousands into the native economic system and creating good-paying jobs within the area.”
The state funding bundle consists of help from the Pennsylvania First Program (PFP), Pennsylvania Industrial Growth Authority (PIDA) low-interest loans, and WEDnetPA workforce-training funds. By means of the DCED, Gov. Shapiro’s administration stated it has acknowledged the Premier Innovation Hub as “a strategic funding in regional progress and nationwide competitiveness.”
Premier Automation introduced the brand new hub at a gathering of state officers and native manufacturing and elected leaders. Stakeholders toured the positioning, explored key facility options, and mentioned the trail ahead for innovation-driven manufacturing within the area.
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