Associate Director Josh Langley manages our warehouse automation team here at CrimsonXT, and has a wealth of experience recruiting across the automation industry. Putting his industry expertise to use, he recently produced “Automation Insights” – a bi-weekly news roundup, that explores the latest funding, collaborations, product updates and funding news from cutting-edge automation and robotics companies across the US, Europe and APAC. In this blog, we’ll explore the latest news for the month of September.

 

 

Acquisitions, spin outs, expansions and legal updates

Timken, a global leader in industrial motion, completed its acquisition of CGI, a company specializing in precision drive systems for automation markets like medical robotics. This acquisition aligns with Timken’s strategy to expand its automation footprint, with CGI expected to generate $45 million in sales in 2024.

Symbotic, known for its AI-powered warehouse automation systems, announced plans to expand its operations in Mexico with a new agreement to implement its systems for Walmex, marking a significant step in its international growth strategy.

GXO Logistics partnered with Reflex Robotics to deploy cutting-edge robotic systems in its warehouses. This initiative is part of GXO’s broader “Robots-as-a-Service” model, aiming to enhance automation and improve warehouse efficiency. The partnership is focused on piloting Reflex’s humanoid robots for tasks such as product picking and replenishment.

Vetropack Group has commissioned a fully automated warehouse at its glass production site in Boffalora sopra Ticino, Italy. The warehouse achieves notably higher efficiency in order processing compared to conventional or partially automated warehouses, and ensures real-time full traceability, enabling immediate responses to any deviations and reduced lead times.

PepsiCo has launched its first fully automated warehouse in Poland, in partnership with Mecalux, bringing cutting-edge intralogistics to the heart of Europe. The new facility, located in Środa Śląska, boasts 9,000 finished goods locations, enabling efficient daily distribution to Poland, Germany, and beyond.


Tech and product updates

Amazon unveiled “Supply Chain by Amazon,” a fully automated, end-to-end service designed to streamline product movement from manufacturers to customers worldwide. This new offering allows sellers to tap into Amazon’s robust logistics, warehousing, and transportation network to speed up shipping, cut costs, and simplify operations.

 

intralogistics


Funding

Phinxt Robotics: The UK start-up which claims it can slash the costs of implementing AMR (autonomous mobile robot) and AGV (automatic guided vehicle) installations in warehouses, has raised £2m in an oversubscribed funding round.

Amazon: Amazon Fulfillment Technologies & Robotics has invested £500 Million into a new fulfilment centre in Leeds, UK.

Seegrid: The provider of autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) and enterprise software for material handling, received a Series D funding round of $50,000,000, bringing their total equity funding to date to $188,549,979.

SuprtCore IoT: SuperCore IoT is an intelligent IoT company that provides users with efficient and convenient smart warehousing solutions. The team received Seed funding of CN¥60,000,000 in September.

Navflex: Plug and Play AI-Empowered AMR Forklifts & Pallet Jacks solve the supply chain bottleneck of Trailer and Container Loading and Unloading. The team received funding of $5,550,000 in September.

 

 

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