Atlas Copco, the renowned Swedish industrial machine maker, has reopened its UK facility as a cutting-edge smart factory and innovation centre. Located in Wolverhampton, in the Midlands, this revamped site boasts a private 5G network provided by Ericsson, also a Swedish company. The facility will serve as a showcase and training hub for Atlas Copco's advanced tooling, assembly systems, and machine vision solutions, following a significant six-figure investment.

As a leader in advocating private 5G for industrial applications, Atlas Copco delivers engineering solutions to both discrete and process manufacturing industries. The company caters to major sectors such as automotive, aerospace, electronics, and renewable energy, emphasizing the importance of fostering a sustainable smart manufacturing ecosystem.

Situated at the i54 business park, a collaborative initiative by local city and district councils on the Staffordshire border, the facility houses the UK division of Atlas Copco's tools and assembly solutions business. Local government officials have praised the reopening, calling it a "shot in the arm for UK manufacturing" and highlighting the company’s graduate scheme aimed at training the next generation of Industry 4.0 technicians.

The Ericsson private-5G setup at the facility merges human-centric skills with a secure, real-time wireless solution tailored to the needs of modern manufacturing. The centre features a replica factory production environment, enabling Atlas Copco to demonstrate its comprehensive range of solutions, including 5G-enabled tool control software, inspection and error-proofing solutions, and 3D laser technology.

In a statement, Atlas Copco emphasized: “Partners visiting the facility will experience firsthand how our solutions enable efficient, flexible, and sustainable manufacturing across various industries. Digital innovations are evolving and converging rapidly, and at the heart of this evolution is the Smart Factory, which leverages technology for scalable flexibility and agility.”

James McAllister, General Manager for Atlas Copco’s tools and industrial assembly solutions business, remarked: “This major investment reinforces our commitment to delivering real-time production efficiencies. It reflects our mission to create a smart manufacturing ecosystem that empowers customers to digitalize production processes and achieve sustainability goals through real-time data insights from smart tools, vision systems, and software.”

Councillor Stephen Simkins, leader of City of Wolverhampton Council, commented: “Atlas Copco’s new facility will help manufacturing businesses in the West Midlands and beyond to enhance efficiencies and sustainability. It’s exciting to see how this state-of-the-art facility will bolster the region’s world-class strengths in manufacturing.”