German technology company Siemens has announced an investment of approximately €200m ($232m) to build a new intelligent factory for its Smart Infrastructure Business at its Amberg site in Germany by 2030.
The project forms part of wider efforts to address growing demand for electronic products and to enhance the flexibility of future manufacturing processes.
According to Siemens, the planned facility will feature self-learning, autonomous, and highly flexible manufacturing processes, with partial control by AI.
The design features fully automated logistics, including driverless transport and humanoid robotics, as well as a cleanroom dedicated to electronics production.
Siemens is employing digital twin technology during the planning phase to simulate different scenarios covering production, machinery, and logistics for the new building.
The company’s “Digital Twin Composer” will bring together various simulation models to inform the development process.
To support these changes, Siemens intends to provide “extensive training” for the roughly 2,400 employees of its Smart Infrastructure unit at Amberg, aiming to prepare them for new roles within a digitally transformed workplace.
The company stated it seeks to secure jobs at the site as part of this transition.
Siemens president and CEO Roland Busch said: “This investment is a clear commitment to the location. It will also provide additional stimulus for Siemens’ growth in Germany. These plans even go beyond the investment commitments we made as part of the ‘Made for Germany’ initiative.
“By using industrial artificial intelligence, digital twins and state-of-the-art automation, we’re enhancing competitiveness and creating jobs that have a future. We’re also helping to strengthen Germany’s status as a country with a powerful industrial sector.”
Amberg currently hosts two Siemens factories and employs around 4,500 people. At one site operated by Siemens Digital Industries, switching, protection and monitoring devices for industrial use are developed and manufactured for global customers.
Beyond the initial €200m investment in new facilities, Siemens indicated further spending would be directed towards modernising and decarbonising the Amberg location.
Siemens’ actions contribute to the broader “Made for Germany” initiative, which has attracted participation from 124 companies pledging over €800bn in total investments in Germany to date.
