Case Study

Robotic Assembly of Steel Pool Panels Helps Pool Manufacturer Control Cost, Labor Issues

Latham Pools is the largest manufacturer and marketer of in-ground residential swimming pools in North America, Australia and New Zealand. Even though the facility had not previously used automation, the company sought out a robotic assembly process in response to labor shortages and rising costs. This has created an efficient, less labor-reliant solution that frees up employees to do other tasks as well as helps the company keep costs low and remain profitable.

Results

Higher consistency of quality panels produced
Allows employees to be reallocated to other areas and tasks
Efficiency keeps production costs low for competitive pricing

Story

Latham Pools is the largest manufacturer and marketer of in-ground residential swimming pools in North America, Australia and New Zealand. The company manufactures steel wall pool panels in their Fort Wayne, Indiana plant. Even though the facility had not previously used automation, the company sought out a robotic assembly process in response to labor shortages and rising costs. In early 2023, FANUC ASI KC Robotics installed six FANUC R-2000iC/165F and one FANUC R-2000iC/210F robots to create an end-to-end automated pool panel assembly line. This has created an efficient, less labor-reliant solution that frees up employees to do other tasks as well as helps the company keep costs low and remain profitable.

The whole experience working with FANUC has been fantastic. The equipment has been reliable. The service has been great. And the training they provide at their Michigan facility has been outstanding as well.

Bill Wentz

Manager, Manufacturing Engineering, Latham Pool

FANUC Products Used

R-2000iC/165F

R-2000iC/210F

iRVision

Meet KC Robotics, FANUC Authorized System Integrator

KC Robotics empowers manufacturers to overcome production challenges and create consistently better products—faster. As a robotics system integrator, KC Robotics provides custom solutions and creative applications, with design, engineering, build, and integration services to meet customers’ needs. With over 30 years’ experience in the robotics industry, KC Robotics has the expertise and financial stability to design and engineer in-house, take on unusual challenges, and ensure each system complies with RIA safety standards.

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About Latham Pool

Latham is the largest designer, manufacturer and marketer of in-ground residential swimming pools in North America, Australia and New Zealand with over six decades of experience at the center of the backyard lifestyle. Every day, families in North America, Europe and Australia enjoy the Latham pool experience. And each year, thousands more join them. Latham is an established provider with a proven history of quality and customer satisfaction. When it comes to quality, selection, simplicity and support, Latham is The Pool Company.

Learn More about Latham Pool