EMIT Technologies in Sheridan began operating four new robotic welding arms in mid‑November 2026, a move that is expected to free an estimated 22 welders for more complex tasks while the company continues to recruit additional staff.
According to Cowboy State Daily, the robots handle repetitive welding jobs, allowing a single operator to complete work that previously required six to twelve welders. “You still have to babysit it,” said Nolan Schaffer, a longtime welder who helped install the equipment. “But rather than it taking six to 12 people to weld out a full order of stuff, now it’s just one person with a robot.” Schaffer added that the early notice of the robots’ arrival gave him confidence in his job’s future.
CEO Casey Osborn explained that the robotic arms are each programmed for a specific part and require only minimal welding experience to operate. “The only reason we buy those machines is because they help us do more faster,” Osborn said, noting that the increased speed creates new job opportunities. He said the company, which had roughly 25 welders in 2019, now employs 55 welders and aims to reach a workforce of 70, though hiring remains a challenge.
Osborn expects the four robotic arms to be fully functional by mid‑November, after which the freed welders will be reassigned to other projects across the facility. “We probably need 70 welders and we’re not going to get 70 welders fast enough,” he said, adding that the mix of robotic and manual welding helps meet production goals.
Industry observers see EMIT’s automation as part of a broader trend in Wyoming manufacturing. L&H’s Mike Wandler told the same outlet that the state’s skilled workforce and advancing technology are overcoming the historic hiring barrier posed by Wyoming’s small population. “We’re manufacturing $120 million worth of parts, and we have two locations in Wyoming,” Wandler said, emphasizing that local talent in places like Sheridan can rival larger markets such as Phoenix.
Former Sheridan mayor Dave Kinskey highlighted the importance of a trained labor pipeline, noting that a past missed opportunity for an extruded‑plastics manufacturer was due to a shortage of CNC‑trained workers. He credited Sheridan College’s investment in CNC equipment and an expanded welding program for helping attract companies like Vacutech and Weatherby to the city’s business park.
EMIT’s expansion illustrates how robotic technology can complement, rather than replace, human workers, providing Sheridan residents with higher‑skill jobs and supporting the city’s growing manufacturing sector.
What’s next: EMIT plans to complete the installation of all four robotic arms by mid‑November 2026 and continue recruiting welders to reach its target of 70 employees. The company will also assess training needs to determine how best to integrate new workers with the automated equipment.
Sources: cowboystatedaily.com
