Automation Partnership Between KUKA and 5North to Enable High-Speed Robotic Production of 2D Building Panels in Adelaide

Modular house construction – made from high-quality modules, fast, sus- tainable, and efficient. (Image source: 5North)

(IN BRIEF) KUKA and Australian company 5North have partnered to build a fully automated 2D timber panel manufacturing plant in Adelaide, introducing robotics at every stage of production — from material feeding to finishing. The advanced line will produce precision panels for homes and buildings at intervals of around ten minutes, integrating cut-outs and assembly details during factory processing to minimise on-site labour. The new model supports faster, more sustainable construction and paves the way for scalable prefabrication in the Australian market. Production is planned for 2026, with the facility positioned to boost affordability, reduce construction timelines and showcase how automation can drive the future of timber-based homebuilding.

(PRESS RELEASE) BREMEN, Germany / ADELAIDE, Australia, 9-Dec-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — KUKA has entered a new partnership with Australian construction innovator 5North to develop a fully automated 2D timber panel production plant in Adelaide, marking a major step forward in industrialised, robotics-driven building manufacturing. The collaboration brings together KUKA’s global automation expertise and 5North’s housing-focused solutions, creating a highly advanced production line designed for scalable, faster and more sustainable building processes.

At the new site, raw timber materials will move through a continuous robotic workflow, from feeding and cutting to milling, drilling, fixing and final assembly. Windows, door openings and installation routes will be incorporated directly during production, significantly reducing the workload and time required on the construction site. Once operational, the facility will be capable of producing a fully finished 2D panel roughly every ten minutes — each one precisely manufactured for use as structural walls, floors, ceilings or roof systems in modern timber-built homes.

The approach aligns with the construction sector’s push towards prefabrication and digital-to-factory workflows. Elements produced at the plant are two-dimensional, factory-finished building components tailored for rapid on-site assembly — helping reduce schedules, improve cost predictability, and maintain consistent product quality.

Wayne Hughes, Founder and CEO of 5North, highlighted the social and environmental mission behind the project. “Everyone deserves an address. With this facility, we aim to make high-quality homes more accessible through sustainable materials and advanced production. Working with KUKA gives us the precision, repeatability and speed to deliver at scale for our developer and construction partners,” he said.

Panel production is expected to begin in mid-2026. The digital planning-to-manufacturing model will allow customisation for each project while ensuring accuracy, repeatability and reliable delivery timelines. For the housing sector, this means reduced site labour, less material waste and shorter build durations.

KUKA Systems EMEA CEO Timo Heil emphasised the strategic impact for the region. “This project is a milestone for Adelaide’s role in advanced manufacturing and strengthens the future of Australia’s construction industry. It showcases how automation can unlock new efficiency and competitiveness,” he said.

Media contact:

KUKA Corporate Marketing &
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T +49 821 797 3722
press@kuka.com
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KUKA Group
The KUKA Group is an international automation group with sales of around EUR 3.7 billion and approximately 15,000 employees. As one of the world’s leading suppliers of intelligent, resource-saving automation solutions, KUKA offers industrial robots, autonomous mobile robots (AMR) including controllers, software, and cloud-based digital services, as well as fully networked production systems for various industries – primarily for markets such as automotive with a focus on e-mobility & battery, electronics, metal & plastic, consumer goods, food, e-commerce, retail, and healthcare. The company is headquartered in Augsburg, Germany.

5 North
5North is an Australian Advanced Manufacturing company supplying the construction industry with precision-engineered, ultra-low-carbon prefabricated housing components. Designed to accelerate project delivery by over 50%, the company operates as an advanced manufacturer rather than a builder, partnering with existing developers to integrate robotic automation into social and attainable housing projects. 5North is backed by a highly experienced C-suite leadership team that combines over three decades of international civil engineering and executive management with deep expertise in high-volume manufacturing, Property investment, and global infrastructure governance.

Photos:

A perfect blend of technology and aesthetics: The 5North home, created with cutting-edge automation. (Image source: 5North)

Cut-outs for windows, doors, and installations are already taken into account during production. (Image source: KUKA Group) Image caption: Modular house construction – made from high-quality modules, fast, sus- tainable, and efficient. (Image source: 5North)

Precision through robotics: Fully automated processing of timber for modern house construction. (Image source: KUKA Group)

SOURCE: KUKA