«See-3PO is an opportunity that will allow our people to dedicate themselves more to higher value-added activities,» says the president and global CEO of Bausch + Lomb, Brent Saunders, immediately after shaking hands with the humanoid robot that will enter the group through the Macherio (Monza Brianza) site.
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Here, yesterday, Saunders announced a significant investment to double production and met with workers in the town hall. The global meeting, held for the first time at a production site, also became the occasion when 3,000 of the 13,000 workers of the American multinational decided the name of their new “colleague”, inspired by the Star Wars android.
«In Macherio – says the American manager – we found a very favorable ecosystem for investment, thanks to deep technical expertise, production excellence, and a solid culture of innovation, but also to the support of local politics and the network of relationships with schools and universities.
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We will make an investment of 33 million dollars, or over 28 million euros, for the expansion of the site, which adds to the 10 million dollars, over 8.6 million euros, already invested in the last five years. By 2031, further investments are planned that will significantly increase Italy’s economic impact.» Almost to reassure about the compatibility between AI, humanoids, and human labor, Saunders explains that this investment «will increase employment: we will create 50 new jobs, with an increase of almost 50% of the site’s employees, who are currently 100. If we also consider the induced activities, then the new jobs will become 100».
Brent Saunders, Headshot
In the global universe of the American multinational, based in Bridgewater, New Jersey, which produces products that help people see better, from liquids for sterile contact lens maintenance products and eye health products like artificial tears, Italy plays an increasingly strategic role: «It has long been an important part of Bausch + Lomb’s global presence. Our continuous investments reflect confidence not only in the talent and capabilities of the region, but also in the crucial role that Italy will continue to play in helping us serve patients and customers worldwide – says Saunders -.
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