HOLLAND, Mich. (WZZM) -- What if you could have a robot or machine build you anything? That's a reality for customers of the Holland-based company, JR Automation.
Take a step into the future at JR Automation. It's a place where men and machines each know their roles.
"People are trying to make their products more efficiently, machines don't get tired they don't take breaks and they don't call in sick," says Brad Bush, business unit manager for JR Automation.
JR Automation designs machines that build other products such as consumer goods, pharmaceutical, and automotive. One machine makes airplane brakes, while another builds car seat frames.
"Anything that needs to be put together we can design a piece of equipment that puts it together," says Bush.
"Everything we do here on the screen is really theory until its proven and built on the floor," says James Sexton, engineering manager for JR Automation.
The company started in the early 1980s.
"By a local gentleman that started in his garage. Since the 80s, we have morphed into multiple facilities with almost 500 people," says Bush.
JR Automation often hires local college grads from schools like Grand Valley University, Lake Superior State University, Western Michigan University, and Hope College.
Employee Spencer Thomas just graduated from Lake Superior State University. "I'm only two or three months out of school, it's nice to have a job here, it's a good place it's expanding a lot," says Spencer.
Each of the products are custom made which is why they tend to be quite expensive. In fact, the back side of the building is completely dedicated to a $30 million project.
The products are shipped to companies from coast to coast and internationally.
"There's probably not another one like it in the world," says Bush.
Proof of what is possible, when man and machine work together.
JR Automation says the number of workers has been growing by 20 percent for the past three years. The company anticipates that trend to continue.
