AWL-Techniek, a Dutch producer of automated welding machines, has opened a new branch in Mexico at the end of 2016. With earnings surpassing €100 million last year, the company hopes to establish new facilities in America and expand its footprint in the Czech Republic in 2017.
The facility in Mexico is now operational, complementing the company’s existing branches in the Netherlands, Czech Republic and China. In 2017, AWL plans to build third hall at its Czech site, and will look at opportunities to develop a new facility in America.
‘These steps ensure we can truly be a global partner for our customers, offering local solutions and service around the world,’ said Brand van ’t Hof, CEO of AWL. ‘We are very positive about the past year and look forward to the developments in 2017. The opportunities and possibilities are there, and we are ready for a new chapter in our company’s history.’
In 2016, AWL worked on improving its laser welding applications and broadening its scope to a variety of joining technologies.
The company's research and development is helping it to serve the demanding automotive industry, now and in the future. Modularisation is one of the key pillars in the R&D programme as customers are able to define their own personal standard based on standard building blocks that have already proven their quality and reliability.
In addition, R&D is focusing on future developments such as virtual reality, augmented reality, applications for cobots (collaborative robots), vision and extensive automation. All these developments will contribute to AWL’s further growth.