Fanuc Robotics America celebrated its 25-year anniversary this summer. The
robotics giant produces more than 200 robot models for multiple applications. This American subsidiary of
Fanuc Ltd. is headquartered in Rochester Hills, Michigan, and manages nine regional offices. Rick Schneider holds the position of president and CEO.
The Japanese parent company,
Fanuc Ltd., began in the 1950's as a manufacturer of NC equipment. With its headquarters located at the base on Mr. Fuji, the company was known as Fujitsu Ltd. until 1972 when it created a separate branch, Fujitsu
Fanuc Ltd.
FANUC is an acronym for Fuji Automatic Numerical Control. In the 1970's the company expanded to include
robotics.
Today, there are more than 172,000
Fanuc robots installed throughout the world, 80,000 of these in the Americas. One hundred and thirteen Fanuc locations exist worldwide, with subsidiary offices in America and Europe.
Much of Fanuc's success is attributed to the leadership of Dr. Seiuemon Inaba. He became president of Fanuc in 1975. Earning the nickname, "the Emperor of Robots," Inaba pushed
robotics. He made it his goal to build robots that could assemble other robots. In the 1980's, Inaba created a showcase plant that demonstrated the efficiency and savings that robots provide.
Fanuc Robotics America exists in part because of Inaba. He established connections with GM and GE - creating joint companies in America during the 1980's.
Today, Inaba remains a strong influence for Fanuc. All
Fanuc robots are painted the bright yellow Inaba introduced during the early years. His explanation for the choice - "In the Orient, yellow is the emperor's color."
