FARGO, N.D. (October 15, 2025) — Border States has teamed up with the University of North Dakota (UND) College of Engineering & Mines and ECN Automation to help launch a new Automation Innovation Lab.
This lab represents a joint effort between the Border States Foundation, UND and ECN to increase student knowledge and workplace readiness around automation products, equipping them to enter a growing and important segment of the workforce in North Dakota and beyond.
Kevin Rusk, Director of Business Development at UND’s College of Engineering & Mines, said the project began with the establishment of a regional manufacturing council, bringing together plant directors from top manufacturers in the area. They posed the question of how the university could help address manufacturers’ top pain points.
“The common thread was that if there was an automation device or system that needed repair, reprogramming or optimizing, there weren’t necessarily locally trained and talented engineers who could help establish and further automate some of their pieces of equipment,” Rusk said.
To address that shortage of trained engineers, the university partnered with Border States and ECN to bring in equipment students can use to get hands-on experience during their time in school.
“The idea began with a simple, yet powerful, goal to create a lab where a student could gain hands-on experience in industrial automation,” said Arturo Freydig, CEO of ECN Automation. “This setup gives students a unique opportunity to complement their education with practical experience, helping build early connections to the world of automation and preparing them for successful careers in the industry.”
Ahmad Khosti, Sales and Account Management Director from Border States, added that the launch of this lab is just the beginning.
“We’re working on new ways to bring in other products to help those students learn and grow,” Khosti said. “We want to make sure this is something where students will be able to come in and take it from system to troubleshooting to being able to fix the product.”
Dr. Ryan Adams, Dean of the College of Engineering & Mines at UND, echoed that sentiment, adding, “This lab really represents a great opportunity for our students to gain those skills and to be able to step right into the work force ready to work, ready to participate, ready to contribute and, ultimately, ready to lead.”
The lab officially opened to students for the fall 2025 semester, and leaders from the university, ECN, Border States and the local business community recently gathered to celebrate its grand opening.
UND College of Engineering & Mines – Fueled by immersive learning, hands-on experiences and award-winning programs, the University of North Dakota College of Engineering & Mines ignites students’ careers in engineering and science. With 70-plus degree and certificate programs in engineering, computer science and geology, students at the College of Engineering & Mines are equipped with personalized curriculums based on their unique goals and interests. Located in Grand Forks, North Dakota, UND is ranked nationally in the top 5% of universities in research excellence.
ECN Automation is an international control system integrator specializing in process automation, instrumentation and information solutions. With operations across North America (Arizona, North Dakota, Texas) and Latin America (Mexico, El Salvador, Peru, Chile), and a team of over 300 employees, ECN has been delivering industrial solutions for more than 34 years across various industries, including mining, food and beverage, and water treatment.
Border States supplies products and services to construction, industrial and utility customers. The 100% employee-owned company is rated the sixth largest electrical distributor in the United States by Electrical Wholesaling magazine. Border States has more than 3,500 employee-owners in 31 states. The Branch Support Center (corporate office) is located in Fargo, North Dakota.