OnRobot hosted its "Build Your Automation Roadmap" event in Dallas on February 19, 2026, offering manufacturers structured guidance for automation adoption through ROI modeling, independent solution validation, and change-management practices. The event, held at The Westin Irving Convention Center, addressed sectors such as metal fabrication, logistics, and biotech labs facing labor shortages, with live demonstrations of robotics tooling and strategies for scalable automation implementation.
Background
North Texas manufacturers continue to face significant hiring challenges, especially in sourcing technically skilled workers, while wages and labor market competition intensify. The Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas' Texas Business Outlook Survey reports that labor shortages and skills mismatches remain major obstacles to production growth. OnRobot developed the Dallas event to help address operational gaps through automation optimized for mixed-technology environments. Event occurred February 19, 2026, in Dallas, targeting sectors including metal fabrication, CNC machining, electronics, aerospace, food & beverage, and industrial equipment manufacturing Kristian Hulgard, General Manager for the Americas at OnRobot, stated that the roadmap event aimed to support manufacturers in sustaining production amid labor constraints. The event featured live FANUC robot demonstrations with OnRobot end-of-arm tooling for machine tending, material handling, assembly, packaging, and quality inspection applications.
Details
The free, half-day event included demonstrations and workshops on developing an automation roadmap. Attendees learned to measure automation ROI, validate technology solutions independently, and manage process and change integration across diverse manufacturing operations. Hands-on exhibits highlighted how smaller fabrication shops and biotech labs can compete with larger firms using pre-configured, scalable automation modules. OnRobot's "Off-The-Shelf Solutions," powered by the D:PLOY platform, enable deployment without programming skills and support high-mix tasks such as palletizing and machine tending in a matter of hours. The company's Plug & Produce tooling-including grippers, vision systems, sensors, and screwdrivers-integrates with major robot brands, offering a unified, low-complexity system. OnRobot leverages a network of more than 700 distribution and integration partners globally, with headquarters in Odense, Denmark.
Outlook
Manufacturers attending the event are expected to implement ROI modeling and validation frameworks in their automation strategies, potentially advancing the adoption of mixed-technology solutions. Structured roadmaps and vendor-neutral tooling may support faster deployment cycles and clearer technology selection. Access to scalable automation options could enhance competitiveness for smaller operators, promoting greater parity with larger facilities.
