New Facility to Boost Tyson Foods’ Automation and Robotics Efforts
August 08 2019 - 12:05PM
Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE: TSN) has created a new, state-of-the-art
facility designed to help the company develop more automation and
robotics for its food production plants.
The Tyson Manufacturing Automation Center (TMAC) officially
opened in downtown Springdale today. The center provides space for
the development of new manufacturing solutions and collaboration
with the company’s information technology team and equipment
suppliers. It also serves as a location for team member training on
new technology.
The investment is part of Tyson Foods’ focus on continuous
improvement. The development of new technology and processes will
help improve efficiency and workplace safety.
“Innovation has been a fundamental part of our success for
almost 85 years,” said Noel White, President and CEO, Tyson Foods.
“This facility represents our commitment to creating the next
generation of manufacturing solutions through advanced automation,
robotics and machine learning.”
The two-story, 26,000-square-foot facility features four main
areas: A machine vision technology lab, a lab that simulates a food
production environment, training classrooms and space for team
members to train in automation and robotics technology.
The center is in a building that was previously used to service
vehicles for the company’s poultry business. Reclaimed wood from
the company’s original headquarters was used in the renovated
building.
The company has invested more than $215 million in automation
and robotics in the last five years.
“The key to TMAC’s success will be the collaboration of
world-class talent bringing expertise from all aspects of
processing,” said Doug Foreman, director, engineering, Tyson Foods.
“Their skills and the resources within this facility will allow us
to create solutions that will make a difference in the lives of our
team members and create value for our business.”
Foreman will manage the day-to-day operations of TMAC with
assistance from Marty Linn, who spent 34 years at General Motors,
18 of those as the principal engineer of robotics and the manager
of advanced automation. Learn more about Linn at the Feed blog on
tysonfoods.com.
“The creation of the Tyson Manufacturing Automation Center is a
key enabler for the company to collaborate and bridge the suppliers
in the automation industry with their production facilities,” said
Jeff Burnstein, president of the Association for Advancing
Automation. “Tyson Foods’ drive to implement robotic and machine
vision automation technologies will help them be more competitive
on a global scale, provide a safer environment for their team
members, and more efficiently provide safe, quality food to people
around the world.”
In addition, the company will engage with local schools
participating in robotics competitions to further drive awareness
and the importance of educational opportunities in areas of
science, technology, engineering and math.
TMAC’s first collaboration is with Springdale’s Don Tyson School
of Innovation, a technology-rich STEM school. It embraces flexible
and blended learning, allowing for a fast-paced and project-based
learning environment that promotes student success.
The Don Tyson School of Innovation’s robotics team will travel
to Dubai, United Arab Emirates, October 24-27 to compete in the
FIRST Global Challenge. The annual, international robotics
Olympics-style event brings together youth from around the world to
share in their passion for STEM.
The company announced a $15,000 gift to help offset travel costs
and ensure the entire team can participate in the competition.
TMAC marks the third major development project Tyson Foods has
completed in downtown Springdale since 2015. In July 2016, the
company opened a 28,000-square-foot building at 516 E. Emma Ave.
named the Tyson Foods JTL Building. The facility houses the Tyson
Company Store and approximately 75 team members. In November 2017,
the company opened a 56,000-square-foot building at 319 E. Emma
Ave. named Tyson Emma, which houses approximately 300 Information
Technology team members.
In 2015, the company presented a $1 million check to the
Downtown Springdale Alliance to support the organization’s effort
to develop infrastructure and greenspace in the area.
Tyson Foods employs more than 6,000 people in Springdale and
more than 23,000 people in Arkansas, and contracts with more than
1,800 independent family farmers in the state, who grow chickens
for its operations. The company also purchases cattle, pigs, grain,
diesel and other utilities in Arkansas and estimates its annual
statewide economic impact at nearly $2 billion.
Photos of TMAC are available here.
About Tyson Foods, Inc. Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE:
TSN) is one of the world’s largest food companies and a recognized
leader in protein. Founded in 1935 by John W. Tyson and grown under
three generations of family leadership, the company has a broad
portfolio of products and brands like Tyson®, Jimmy Dean®,
Hillshire Farm®, Ball Park®, Wright®, Aidells®, ibp® and State
Fair®. Tyson Foods innovates continually to make protein more
sustainable, tailor food for everywhere it’s available and raise
the world’s expectations for how much good food can do.
Headquartered in Springdale, Arkansas, the company had 121,000 team
members at September 29, 2018. Through its Core Values, Tyson Foods
strives to operate with integrity, create value for its
shareholders, customers, communities and team members and serve as
a steward of the animals, land and environment entrusted to it.
Visit www.tysonfoods.com. Media Contact: Derek Burleson,
479-290-6466, derek.burleson@tyson.com |
Category: IR, Newsroom
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