Egemin Automation Inc anticipates adding at least 10 workers to its Michigan, US, site as it moves to combine manual and automatic operations in a new-era forklift.

Egemin specialises in automated guided vehicle (AGV) design and manufacturing and perceives increasing demand for robotic technology from the food and beverage industries.

Egemin describes the design of its upcoming hybrid AGV as "morphing" the divergent manual and automated functions onto a standard, off-the-shelf forklift.

A product introduction is planned during the ProMat 2011 trade show on 21-24 March in Chicago. The new hybrid AGV allows an operator to interrupt automatic operations, move product manually, then place the unit back into its fully automatic laser guidance mode.

To meet increasing demands, Egemin's centre for AGV excellence in Holland seeks site supervisors, technicians and electrical and software engineers.

Egemin AGVs include forklifts, roll lifting units, side lifting units, load transfer vehicles, load platform vehicles and tuggers.

The business's experience in the US goes back 35 years and includes creating AGVs and warehouse management systems. In 2000, Egemin acquired Schlafhorst Automation Inc, of Holland.

Parent firm Egemin International NV, of Zwijndrecht, Belgium, employs about 500 people, has nine offices in western Europe, the US and Asia, and generates annual sales of about EUR80 million (USD109 million).

The firm develops and owns the design, software and support technology for its AGVs. In addition to material handling automation, Egemin's core activities include technical consulting, business and automation solutions and lifecycle services.