Hexagon Announces Factory of the Future Project in China

560,0000 sq ft factory to be completed in 2020 for use by all Hexagon divisions.

Norbert Hanke announcing Hexagon's new factory in Hongdao, China. (Image courtesy of the author.)

Norbert Hanke announcing Hexagon’s new factory in Hongdao, China. (Image courtesy of the author.)

“A smart factory is driven by data and powered by learning,” said Norbert Hanke, president of Hexagon’s Manufacturing Intelligence (MI) division during his keynote “Building a Smart Factory” at this year’s HxGN LIVE.

After ruminating on several examples of how smart factories will change manufacturing, from automotive design to advanced materials and real-time feedback loops for robotic automation, Hanke announced that Hexagon is investing approximately 90 million EUR (100 million USD)  to build a new production facility in Hongdao, China.

The new site will manufacture metrology systems for Hexagon’s MI division, utilizing the company’s smart manufacturing technologies to produce and calibrate the systems. It will also house software development and customer support teams covering the wider Hexagon portfolio, as well as office and meeting space, recreational areas for employees and a Hexagon solution center. 

Construction will be managed by Hexagon’s own enterprise construction solution, HxGN SMART Build, and is slated to begin this year, with completion targeted for 2020.

For more information, visit the Hexagon MI website or follow me on Twitter for  live updates from HxGN LIVE 2017.

Written by

Ian Wright

Ian is a senior editor at engineering.com, covering additive manufacturing and 3D printing, artificial intelligence, and advanced manufacturing. Ian holds bachelors and masters degrees in philosophy from McMaster University and spent six years pursuing a doctoral degree at York University before withdrawing in good standing.