Automation Firm Polysense Opened Chicago Hub
Food processors face tightening labor markets as Polysense expands its U.S. presence to automate production lines.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Manufacturing
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Polysense has launched its first U.S. office in Chicago to serve as a regional hub for North American operations. The company provides automated inspection systems to the potato, bakery, and fruit and vegetable processing sectors.
Why it matters
The expansion arrives as manufacturers confront significant labor shortages and rising U.S. tariffs, driving increased demand for automated processing solutions. By positioning staff locally, the firm aims to better monitor production lines for its domestic clients.
Polysense closed a $10.7 million seed round in July 2026. The company enters a U.S. market facing a projected 1.9 million unfilled manufacturing positions out of 3.8 million total new workers required by 2033.
The players
Polysense
An automation technology company providing inspection and process adjustment systems for food manufacturers.
Jarne Bogaert
The U.S. President who relocated to Chicago to lead the firm's North American expansion.
Jonas Lernout
A pre-sales engineer who joined the firm to support North American operations.
The details
The Chicago office establishes a direct link between North American clients and the company's Belgian delivery team to streamline deployment. Polysense develops systems that automate inspection and process adjustment tasks, replacing manual oversight. The local team is tasked with expanding the customer base throughout the U.S. and Canada.
Timeline
July 2026: Polysense closed a $10.7 million seed round.
September 2026: Polysense opened the Chicago office.
Next 6 to 12 months: The firm will expand its North American customer base.
2033: Projected deadline for estimated U.S. manufacturing labor requirements and gaps.
Market Landscape
Polysense’s arrival in the U.S. follows a trend of food processors investing in automation to counter persistent labor shortages. The company’s move aligns with broader industry data predicting a significant shortfall in domestic manufacturing labor by 2033.
Operators in the food processing sector should assess if current manual inspection processes create bottlenecks that justify automation investment. Managers should track regional hiring difficulty metrics to determine if the cost of automated systems now offsets rising labor expenditures.
The takeaway
As labor gaps widen, firms providing automated line oversight are increasingly moving closer to domestic manufacturing hubs to provide better service. Operators should monitor their own production line downtime to identify where manual labor dependence currently creates the highest margin drag.
Further reading
For broader trends in production technology, visit Manufacturing.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Freshplaza.
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