ABB, ADMARES Formalize Modular Factory Partnership in Queensland

ABB Robotics and ADMARES have entered an agreement to establish a modular construction factory in Queensland, Australia. Finalized in early 2026, the partnership aims to deploy robotics-enabled offsite manufacturing to produce large-scale modular buildings with increased efficiency. The initiative targets return on investment through high-volume output and is expected to deliver regional economic and employment benefits.

Background

ADMARES, a Finnish industrialized home-manufacturing firm, launched its Australian subsidiary, ADMARES Australia Pty Ltd, in Brisbane in December 2025. The company is developing Smart Factory facilities equipped with automated, robotics-driven production lines capable of completing a home unit every 22.5 minutes. This process uses 95% less labor compared to traditional on-site construction and has the potential to produce thousands of homes annually. According to ADMARES, each factory employs about 3,000 assembly-line workers and 220 white-collar staff while matching the annual output of 50,000 skilled construction workers^{1ADMARES Establishes Australian Operations to Launch Smart Factories Addressing National Housing Shortage - ADMARES}.

ABB Robotics contributes advanced automation expertise to the construction sector. Since 2023, the company has collaborated with Porsche Consulting to improve modular housing manufacturing quality and affordability using robotic solutions. ABB reports that although construction trails manufacturing in automation adoption, 81% of surveyed construction firms intend to increase robotics usage within ten years^{2Porsche Consulting and ABB Robotics collaborate on modular housing manufacturing | Built Offsite}.

Details

The joint venture will combine ADMARES's digital twin-powered Smart Factory platform with ABB's robotics systems to enhance production accuracy, reduce waste, and accelerate delivery times. ADMARES's factories use digital planning tools, including Siemens Plant Simulation, to optimize workflows in facilities spanning approximately 310,000 square meters^{3Scaling homebuilding with Plant Simulation: How ADMARES is industrializing construction - Tecnomatix}.

The facility is expected to deliver a strong return on investment by reducing labor costs and increasing production throughput through automation. Regional economic benefits include the creation of thousands of operational positions. ABB's robotics will manage high-skill manufacturing tasks, while ADMARES will provide training for local assembly-line roles to address labor shortages in the construction sector^{4Like and follow us on ISSUE 880 // 11 December}.

Outlook

Construction of the Queensland modular factory is scheduled to begin in mid-2026, with full production expected in 2027. Industry observers note this project could transform Australia's offsite manufacturing sector and serve as a replicable model for industrialized housing worldwide.