Manufacturers’ Association Holds Ribbon Cutting for BAE Systems Automation Training Center and Weldon Solutions Robotics Lab

Open House to Follow, 10:30 AM – 2:00 PM

(York, PA) – The Manufacturers’ Association today officially opens the doors of the BAE Systems Automation Training Center and the Weldon Solutions Robotics Lab with a ribbon cutting ceremony, marking a milestone that has been months in the making. The public is invited to attend an open house immediately following the ceremony, running from 10:30 AM to 2:00 PM, at the Manufacturers’ Association Training Center in York, Pennsylvania.

Previously announced through a series of press releases earlier this year, the BAE Systems Automation Training Center and the Weldon Solutions Robotics Lab have been highly anticipated additions to the Manufacturers’ Association’s growing training campus. Today’s ribbon cutting transforms that anticipation into reality, officially welcoming manufacturers, workforce and economic development professionals, and the broader community to experience the facilities firsthand.  Attendees and speakers at the ribbon cutting included the primary investors, the Department of War and the PA Department of Community and Economic Development as well as local defense employers, manufacturers, legislators and other invited guests. 

About the BAE Systems Automation Training Center

The BAE Systems Automation Training Center is a new 5,000 square foot, state-of-the-art training facility dedicated to automation, robotics, and mechatronics training. An expansion of the Manufacturers’ Association’s existing 20,000 square foot Training Center, the facility was made possible in part through the generous investment of BAE Systems, which helped underwrite its development. BAE Systems announced an expanded York facility in 2023 where the Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle (AMPV) and Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV) production lines are located. BAE Systems’ York site will become the Production Center of Excellence for both the Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle and Amphibious Combat Vehicle programs.

The center will provide hands-on training and apprenticeship opportunities designed to upskill workers in the high-demand fields of automation, robotics, and mechatronics, building a technology-ready defense manufacturing workforce for today and the future. The BAE Systems Automation Training Center is a key component of TIDE, the Talent and Innovation Defense Ecosystem, a Central Pennsylvania initiative of the region’s Defense Manufacturing Community, designated by the Department of War. TIDE was awarded a $6.1 million grant in 2023 through the U.S. Department of War’s Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Department of Community and Economic Development.

About the Weldon Solutions Robotics Lab

Located within the Automation Training Center, the Weldon Solutions Robotics Lab is a purpose-built learning environment featuring an interactive smart board, digital screens, and hands-on training benches. Designed to deliver immersive training in automation, electrical systems, and robotics, the lab is built to scale, with expanded robotics and automation equipment planned as programs advance.

Weldon Solutions, headquartered in York, Pennsylvania, is a manufacturer of precision grinding machines and a leading robotics integrator. Their sponsorship of the Robotics Lab reflects a shared commitment to building a stronger, more capable workforce and advancing the future of manufacturing in the region.

“This ribbon cutting is a proud day for the Manufacturers’ Association, our members, and the entire Central Pennsylvania manufacturing community,” said Tom Palisin, Executive Director, Manufacturers’ Association. “The BAE Systems Automation Training Center and the Weldon Solutions Robotics Lab represent a significant investment in our region’s workforce.”

Open House Details

Following the ribbon cutting, the Manufacturers’ Association invites the public to tour the new facilities during a free open house:

• Date: Wednesday, September 23, 2026
• Open House Hours: 10:30 AM – 2:00 PM
• Location: Manufacturers’ Association Training Center, York, PA
• Admission: Free and open to the public

Attendees will have the opportunity to tour the BAE Systems Automation Training Center and the Weldon Solutions Robotics Lab, meet instructors and program staff, and learn about upcoming training and apprenticeship opportunities in automation, robotics, and mechatronics.

About the Manufacturers’ Association

The Manufacturers’ Association is a member-driven organization serving manufacturers across Central Pennsylvania. With a longstanding commitment to workforce development, the Association operates a comprehensive training center offering technical, safety, and professional development programs designed to strengthen the regional manufacturing community and support the growth of the industrial workforce.