Scythe Robotics expands commercial landscaping robot production facility

Commercial landscaping robot provider Scythe Robotics recently opened the doors of its newly expanded headquarters and manufacturing facility in Longmont, CO. Scythe said its expansion comes in response to demand from landscape contractors for its all electric, fully autonomous M.52 commercial mower that has a waitlist thousands of units long.

More than double the size of its original space, Scythe said the 28,000-square-foot facility marks a pivotal step in accommodating its continued growth. The company will build and deploy more than 100 mowers in the coming months, ramping production to 8 units a week.

Larger facility to accommodate projected headcount growth

Scythe projects increased production volumes for the second half of the year when the company will debut its next generation of M.52. To accommodate its 80 employees, 60 of whom are based in Colorado, the larger headquarters also provides office and meeting areas that Scythe said will support increased company activity and forecasted headcount growth.

"The opening of our state-of-the-art robotics facility accelerates our ability to deliver high-quality, game-changing machines to our customers for the upcoming mowing season," said Jack Morrison, co-founder and CEO of Scythe. "We are proud that our growth is generating meaningful job opportunities within Colorado's burgeoning cleantech sector and advancing our state’s culture of collaboration and creativity."

Scythe said the location in Longmont offers close proximity to universities, a vibrant and expanding robotics community, and the allure of Colorado's outdoor lifestyle, making it an ideal choice for the company to anchor its headquarters. With special recognition from the State of Colorado and the City of Longmont, Scythe said it will continue to create high-quality jobs in Boulder County for individuals across a wide range of skills and backgrounds.

"We are thrilled to see Scythe Robotics expand in Colorado, creating 394 good-paying jobs and helping to pioneer the future of robotics,” said Colorado governor Jared Polis.

Scythe Robotics held a launch party for its expanded production line in Longmont, CO. Source: Scythe Robotics

Production line designed for ease of use, minimized waste

In the design of the production line, Scythe implemented a unidirectional movement system that empowers the manufacturing team to monitor progress visually, minimize waste, and operate at peak efficiency. The design ensures that each M.52 unit meets quality standards and delivery schedules.

"Ensuring a quality product that is delivered in a timely manner hinges on our ability to proactively optimize workflows throughout the manufacturing process," said Kip Atkinson, senior manufacturing engineer at Scythe. "Through the adoption of lean manufacturing principles, we swiftly pinpoint and rectify any production or testing errors before the mower leaves our facility."

Spanning 300 feet from end to end, the upgraded warehouse and production line also feature innovative amenities such as raising platforms, cranes, and dedicated assembly stations. These additions prioritize the comfort and productivity of Scythe's assembly technicians, reducing time and effort expended in the assembly of each machine.