Schneider Electric on Tuesday said it plans to invest more than $700 million in U.S. operations by 2027, including a major push into artificial intelligence (AI) in the French industrial conglomerate’s single largest capital expenditure in its 135-year history in the United States.
Like other multinational companies, Schnedier is moving or expanding operations to the United States as part of a broader trend of re-industrialization amid tariff threats from the Trump Administration. The looming threat of punitive levies has prompted Apple Inc. and Eli Lilly, among others, to expand manufacturing domestically.
Schneider’s mega-project marks yet another massive initiative to meet energy demands amid rapid growth in AI, advanced manufacturing and data infrastructure. Expenditures will go toward manufacturing expansion throughout the U.S., including an AI automation innovation center in Houston, according to the energy management and automation company. Schneider said it intends to create more than 1,000 new jobs for next-generation manufacturing professionals, engineers, developers and technical analysts.
So-called “smart factory transformation” will also come to Massachusetts, Missouri, Tennessee and Texas as part of the two-year expansion, according to Schneider.
“We stand at an inflection point for the technology and industrial sectors in the U.S., driven by incredible AI growth and unprecedented energy demand,” Aamir Paul, president of North America operations for Schneider Electric, said in a statement.
“To lead the transformation ahead, we must be agile and act now to advance ambitious digitalization and efficiency goals to make an impact for generations to come,” Paul added.
Since 2020, Schneider has committed $440 million to invigorate its U.S. supply chain. With Tuesday’s $700 million pledge, it intends to top $1 billion in its U.S. investments this decade.
Last year, Schneider opened a 105,000-square-foot facility in Red Oak, Texas, to support an expanding data center hub in Dallas-Fort Worth.
“Schneider Electric’s significant investment is a clear sign that manufacturing in America is moving forward — driving economic growth, innovation and job creation across the country,” Jay Timmons, president and CEO of the National Association of Manufacturers, said in a statement.
