ABB announced today it acquired Gomtec GmbH to expand its offering in the field of collaborative robots. The parties agreed not to disclose financial terms of the transaction.
Gomtec, based near Munich, Germany, is a privately held company that develops mechatronic systems combining mechanical, electrical, telecommunications, control and computer engineering for customers in diverse industries. It has 25 employees.
Its technology platform will strengthen ABB’s development of a new generation of “safe-by-design” collaborative robots that can be operated outside of cages or protective fencing, expanding opportunities to deploy them in new applications.
The acquisition of the German company is another step in ABB’s Next Level strategy aimed at accelerating sustainable value creation. The strategy is building on the company’s three focus areas of profitable growth, relentless execution and business-led collaboration. To drive profitable growth, it has shifted its centre of gravity toward high-growth end markets, enhancing competitiveness and lowering risk in business models.
The acquisition complements ABB’s portfolio of human-robot collaborative automation technologies that already include YuMi, a truly collaborative dual-arm industrial robot designed to expand automation for small-parts assembly. ABB formally introduced YuMi this week at the Hannover Messe.
“We are seeing an increasing trend of automation innovation where humans and robots work side-by-side in ways that weren’t possible before,” said Pekka Tiitinen, president of ABB’s Discrete Automation and Motion division. “The addition of Gomtec to our robotics offering will help accelerate our expansion into new markets as well as our penetration of traditional industries as manufacturers pursue new ways to increase flexibility, agility and competitiveness.”
The shared passion of both companies for innovation and robotics will drive the creation of new technologies that challenge the way industry looks at human-robot collaboration.
“We have found the best partner for the next step in our journey,” said Bernd Gombert, chief executive officer of Gomtec. With its reach, installed base and operations, ABB will help bring innovative robots and solutions to the rapidly growing market for collaborative automation, he added.
