Expanding U.S. Manufacturing Capacity to Meet Rising Demand for Automation
In October 2025, Daifuku held the opening ceremony for the new expansion of its Hobart Plant in Indiana. Operated by Daifuku Group company Daifuku Intralogistics America Corporation, the plant manufactures systems for the general manufacturing and distribution industries. The expansion strengthens Daifuku’s production capabilities for a wide range of material handling systems, enabling the delivery of optimal solutions to customers across the United States.
Doubling production capacity to improve efficiency, shorten lead times, and reduce costs
Construction of the expansion began in April 2024 with an investment of $35 million and was completed 17 months later in September 2025. The site covers a total area of 178,000 m2, with the new expansion adding 25,000 m2 of floor space, bringing the total floor space to approximately 55,000 m2.
Established in 2019 in a green, suburban area of northwestern Indiana, the Hobart Plant has supplied material handling systems—including conveyors and sorters—to customers throughout North America. With the expansion now in operation, manufacturing capacity for these products has nearly doubled. The additional space and introduction of Daifuku’s own automation technologies will enhance production efficiency, shorten lead times, and reduce overall costs.
Responding to labor shortages and growing e-commerce demand
In the United States, labor shortages since the COVID-19 pandemic have accelerated demand for automation in manufacturing and logistics operations. The ongoing expansion of e-commerce, and its need for faster shipping and returns processing, is also driving the need for greater efficiency in distribution centers.
To respond quickly to this demand, Daifuku plans to increase the plant’s workforce by 350 employees, bringing the total to approximately 800, while also shifting to local production of automated storage systems that are currently imported from Japan. Daifuku will continue strengthening service and product development to meet the diverse needs of customers throughout the region.
A new chapter for the plant, in partnership with the local community
The opening ceremony was held on October 2 and was attended by approximately 350 guests, including Daifuku CEO Hiroshi Geshiro, Intralogistics Global Business Head Norihito Toriya, and Daifuku Intralogistics America President Christoph Schenk, along with a U.S. congressman, the mayor of Hobart, customers, and business partners.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the completion of the expansion.
Guests toured the interior of the facility.
“The Hobart Plant is now one of the largest conveyor manufacturing plants in North America,” Christoph commented, “This represents our confidence in the market and commitment to the local community.” Hobart Mayor Josh Huddlestun expressed his appreciation, stating, “Daifuku has been a great partner to us and delivered on everything they said they would do. They brought good, clean manufacturing to our community. The theme today is employee, employee, employee. That's something that we in Hobart take near to our heart: investing in members of our community.”
Hiroshi added, “To contribute to our customers’ businesses, we will increase our response speed and differentiate ourselves from competitors by improving production efficiency, providing products that are easy to maintain, and strengthening after-market service. We pursue 100% automation in areas that can be left to machines by escalating developments of AI (Artificial Intelligence) and robotics.”
Building on this expansion, Daifuku will further strengthen its manufacturing and development capabilities in the U.S. market, contribute to solving logistics challenges, and continue pursuing sustainable manufacturing and innovation.