Omron expands to new headquarters in Hoffman Estates

Creating a more inviting environment for customer visits without sacrificing access to transportation hubs were key reasons Omron Automation and Safety recently relocated from two Schaumburg buildings to one larger facility in Hoffman Estates.

The new, environmentally-friendly location will serve as the headquarters for both North American and South American operations for the Japan-based corporation, Vice President of Human Resources Cindy Janssen said.

The 70,000-square-foot building, though leased, was gutted and outfitted from scratch, Janssen said. It's about 10 to 15 percent larger than the space Omron previously had for about 30 years in neighboring Schaumburg.

Easy access to O'Hare International Airport and retention of its current employees prioritized staying in the vicinity.

"We have a very talented workforce and we didn't want to put that in jeopardy," Janssen said.

Among the company's services are the design of machines to automate factories, as well as equipment to protect the safety of operators in those plants.

Virtually all contracts are signed after an in-person demonstration of the company's abilities. Thus, the new headquarters' state-of-the-art automation showroom is seen as being central to its success, Janssen said.

"Our showroom itself is really seen as a growth area for us," she said.

The new headquarters allows for the possibility of increasing its workforce beyond the current 225 employees.

The company is well known for its focus on its employees, Janssen said. In 2014, Omron has been named to both Chicago's 101 Best & Brightest Companies to Work For as well as to the Best Places to Work in Illinois. The company has won the former distinction four times now.

The company is dedicated to principles of corporate social responsibility as well as to the energy-efficiency and environmental friendliness of the building in which it works, Janssen said.