Australian construction technology specialist
5North has announced a major collaboration with
Kuka, one of the world’s leading providers of intelligent automation solutions, to build a state-of-the-art, fully automated production facility for 2D panels at a new manufacturing site in Adelaide.
The facility will use advanced robotics and conveyor technology to streamline the entire production process. Raw materials such as timber will be automatically fed into the system, then precisely cut, milled and drilled. Robots will handle accurate component placement as well as bonding and screwing operations, creating a fully automated workflow from material input to finished panel output. Once operational, the plant will produce a completed 2-D panel every 10min.
These pre-fabricated 2-D building elements are flat timber-based components used for walls, floors, ceilings and roofs in modern construction. Manufactured in two dimensions — length and width — they are made from materials such as radiata pine, cross-laminated timber or solid wood. Automated production ensures dimensional accuracy and panels that are ready for immediate use, significantly reducing on-site construction time.
Advanced manufacturing techniquesWayne Hughes, 5North’s CEO and founder, said: “We believe everyone deserves an address and have a significant focus on social and attainable homes, delivered with sustainable and healthy materials. 5North is not the builder but with our new plant, we are setting new standards in the construction industry for our developer and construction customers. Working with Kuka allows us to use technology and advanced manufacturing techniques to offer maximum precision, consistent quality, and an unprecedented production speed.”
The factory is scheduled to start production in mid-2026. The highly automated process will enable flexible and rapid responses to varying customer requirements, ensuring consistent quality and reliable scheduling. By combining digital planning with automated manufacturing, panels will be tailored to individual project specifications, making homebuilding more efficient, sustainable and future-proofed.
Timo Heil, Kuka Systems EMEA’s CEO, concluded: “This is a milestone for Adelaide as a manufacturing centre and will strengthen the competitiveness of the Australian construction industry.”