As Northern Nevada’s manufacturing sector continues its rapid expansion, the region’s employers are confronting a growing challenge: a labor market that has nearly run out of slack. OnRobot will host the “Build your Automation Roadmap” event in Reno on April 9th, bringing practical automation solutions directly to the region’s manufacturing community.
The free, in-person event is designed for manufacturers in sectors such as metal fabrication, CNC machining, electronics, aerospace, food & beverage, and industrial equipment manufacturing – industries that form the backbone of the Reno manufacturing economy and are among the hardest hit by ongoing labor shortages.
Event Snapshot:
What:
Build Your Automation Roadmap: Industrial Robots + Tooling
A hands-on event featuring live FANUC robot demonstrations, expert-led workshops, and real-world automation use cases.
When:
April 9th, 2026, 12:00pm–4:00pm PT
Where:
Grand Sierra Resort, 2500 East 2nd St, Reno, NV
Why:
Northern Nevada’s manufacturing sector has grown faster than its available workforce can keep pace with unemployment rates at just 4.0%, near the lowest levels on record – leaving manufacturers with a shrinking pool of available workers even as industrial demand continues to grow.
A recent report from the University of Nevada, Reno, commissioned by the Nevada Office of Workforce Innovation, identified workforce gaps across every regional economic development authority in the state, with fabricated metal manufacturing, precision machining, and electronics among the most acutely affected sectors in the Reno area.
“Northern Nevada has become one of the most dynamic manufacturing regions in the country, but that growth is creating real pressure on employers who simply can’t hire fast enough to keep up,” said Kristian Hulgard, General Manager, Americas, at OnRobot. “Automation isn’t a future consideration for manufacturers here, it’s an immediate operational need. This event is about giving the region’s manufacturers a clear, practical path forward.”
At the event, attendees will see live demonstrations of FANUC robots equipped with OnRobot end-of-arm tooling for common applications such as machine tending, material handling, assembly, packaging, and quality inspection. Automation experts, that help manufacturers move from curiosity to confident implementation, will be on hand to share real-world experience in robotics, tooling, and integration.
Featured Speakers and Sessions:
- Kristian Hulgard, General Manager, Americas, OnRobot – Opening keynote on macrotrends affecting U.S. automation growth, why adoption is accelerating across manufacturing, and what it means for Nevada operations.
- Brian La Plante, District Manager, FANUC America – Live demonstrations of FANUC robots, identifying the practical approach to the automation journey.
- Marc Magarin, President and Co-Founder, Nevatio Engineering – Learn how the right components, sourcing strategy, and distribution support keep automation projects on track.
Registration incl. lunch is free, but space is limited.
To learn more or register, visit:
https://en.onrobot.info/industrial_openhouse_reno?utm_source=TradeShow&utm_medium=Events&utm_campaign=OnRobot-Share
