Emerson invests $100m in new flow research centre

Emerson is to invest more than $100 million in Boulder, Colorado, to significantly expand manufacturing space, and create a new innovation centre focused on research, new product development and industry training for its advanced flow measurement products.

David N. Farr, chairman and chief executive of Emerson commented: “This US investment significantly expands our ability to serve as industry leaders, helping customers in essential industries optimise their operations with the latest technologies. Our new facility demonstrates our continued commitment to customer-driven innovation and high-tech manufacturing, as well as our focus on attracting the best and brightest talent to work for Emerson.”

Emerson is recognised globally for its advanced flow measurement technologies and diagnostics that help leading global customers in the life sciences, food and beverage, chemical, power and energy industries. The new innovation centre will drive innovation and new product development to enable customers in these critical industries to realise performance improvements in production, reliability, safety and sustainability.

“As an entrepreneur, I saw first-hand how Colorado’s talent and market strengths can fuel innovation,” said

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis commented: “As an entrepreneur, I saw first-hand how the talent and market strengths in Solorado can fuel innovation. This investment in Coloradans and our state is a bold statement about our economic power and the bright opportunities that lie ahead.”

Artist’s impression of the new Emerson facility in Boulder

The nearly 180,000 square foot (16,700 square metres) expansion includes a new, 85,000 sq ft (7,900 sq m) laboratory, and a manufacturing facility to design and develop products, technologies and software that measure and control the flow of material in any manufacturing process.

The facility will offer a hands-on Interactive Plant Environment that simulates real-world industrial manufacturing conditions for worker training and upskilling to help reshape the future workforce. This ‘experiential’ training facility will provide Emerson customers with hands-on access to the most advanced products and technologies, including flow, temperature, level, pressure and wireless instrumentation, valves and regulators, as well as Emerson’s leading control systems and Plantweb digital ecosystem. Emerson’s flow measurement portfolio includes Coriolis, magnetic, vortex, multiphase, differential pressure and ultrasonic meters – meters that show the Micro Motion, Rosemount, Roxar and Daniel brands.

The new factory complex will have charging stations for electric vehicles and bicycle parking areas, plus include green landscaping, energy efficiency and water conservation programmes. Work is expected to commence on site in spring 2020.

Emerson currently has 630 employees in Boulder, which is the home of its Micro Motion business. Micro Motion was founded in 1977 as one of Boulder’s earliest start-ups and invented the first Coriolis flow meter. Emerson acquired Micro Motion in 1984 and has continued to invest in design, engineering and attracting technical talent.

Last year, Emerson announced a collaboration with Colorado State University to build the Emerson Brewing Innovation Centre, where students get hands-on experience using the latest automation technologies.