Invocation
Linda Eastman opened the meeting with a thoughtful invocation.
Attendance
We had 27 Rotarians present, and if you missed it, you missed one of the best talks and tours of FANUC we’ve ever had!
Birthdays
A very happy birthday to Brad Upton, who celebrated on September 24th.
Club Announcements
- Shredding Event: Mark your calendars! We have a document shredding event coming up on October 28th at Bodine’s in Rochester. If you're interested in helping, please reach out to Ernie Schaefer or Linda Eastman. More details will follow as the date approaches.
- State of the City Address: Bryan Barnett invites all Rotarians to attend the State of the City Address this Thursday at Stoney Creek High School. Be sure to RSVP by contacting mayorsoffice@rochesterhills.org.
Speaker: Michael Cicco, President & CEO of FANUC America Corporation
Our featured speaker, Michael Cicco, has been with FANUC America Corporation for 25 years and currently serves as the President and CEO. FANUC is a global leader in automation and robotics, providing cutting-edge CNC systems (Computer Numeric Controls) and factory automation solutions that help manufacturers maximize productivity, reliability, and profitability across the Americas.
FANUC is the world’s largest industrial robot manufacturer, having produced over 1 million robots in 2023. They design and manufacture over 200 different kinds of robots, with 31% of their business serving the automotive industry. Notably, their Rochester Hills site is the world headquarters for painting robots.
Beyond automotive, 35% of FANUC’s business comes from a variety of industries including textiles, electronics, pharmaceuticals, plastics, aerospace, cosmetics, construction, and more. FANUC’s robots handle tasks like "picking and packing" materials—whether it’s placing raw chicken breasts into packaging or fulfilling orders in large warehouses like Amazon's.
A key part of FANUC's success is its commitment to education. The company has certification programs in over 1,600 high schools, community colleges, and universities. With lifetime support for their equipment, FANUC ensures that customers are trained as technology evolves, much of which takes place at their Rochester Hills facility.
Mr. Cicco’s presentation was truly inspiring and highlighted the company's core values of PRIDE:
- People – both employees and customers come first
- Respect – respect is at the core of their work
- Integrity – acting with integrity in all they do
- Dedication – a deep commitment to their mission
- Excellence – striving for the highest standards in every area
