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 LinkedIn 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.

 

 

It’s been a while since we dove into the trends amongst the market, from skill trends to the companies experiencing great growth this year. LinkedIn Talent Insights allows us to explore just this, and the findings are interesting:

LinkedIn Talent Insights:

Over the past year, there’s been a 26% rise in professionals entering the warehouse automation and robotics field. Top hiring regions? No surprise — Guangdong, Jiangsu, Greater Bengaluru, Shanghai, and Jakarta are leading the charge.

Who’s expanding their teams?

• ABB: +16%

• Siemens: +9%

• Emerson: +3%

• Rockwell & Schneider Electric: small declines

The growing concentration of talent in Asia speaks volumes about where automation innovation is being built and deployed. Is this a strategic realignment or a reflection of emerging global supply chain hubs? I’m curious to hear from others: How are you seeing these shifts impact your hiring strategy or priorities?

 

Trump’s Tariffs:

I recently read an article from CFO Dive on the recent developments in US trade policy, which are introducing new challenges for the warehouse automation sector. In the article, there is talk of President Trump’s recent tariff measures contributing to economic uncertainty and hesitancy in capital investments for warehouse automation projects.

This uncertainty is particularly affecting high-cost, end-to-end automation systems that require long-term planning. The situation is further complicated by the already high-interest-rate environment, which has been dampening investment activity over the past three years.

Key Takeaways:

  1. Delayed investments: Economic policy shifts are causing companies to postpone significant automation projects.
  2. Extended sales cycles: The current climate is lengthening the sales cycles for automation technologies.
  3. Market recovery: The warehouse automation market, which saw a 3% decline in orders in 2024, is predicted to experience a slow recovery in 2025.

What does this mean for your businesses?

It means that having the right talent on your team becomes even more critical. Whether you’re scaling cautiously or preparing for a rebound, ensuring you have experienced professionals who can navigate complexity is so important. If you’re reassessing your hiring strategy or looking for top talent, let’s connect. I work closely with businesses across the sector to help them stay agile and competitive, regardless of market turbulence.

 

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Spotlight on:

Each week, I spotlight a particular company that is making waves across the industry, whether that’s through their technology, strategy or funding updates. This week, I am spotlighting Third Wave Automation.

Based in Union City, California and founded in 2018, Third Wave Automation specialises in AI-driven solutions for automated material handling and pallet movement. Their technology enables autonomous forklifts to navigate complex warehouse environments without the need for extensive infrastructure changes. This adaptability allows for seamless integration into existing operations, enhancing efficiency and productivity.

In October last year, the team secured a $27 million Series C funding round, bringing their total funding to $97 million. As the demand for flexible and scalable automation solutions grows, Third Wave Automation stands out for its commitment to transforming warehouse operations through cutting-edge technology.

 

Funding news:

POWEReasy Technology raised CN¥100,000,000  in Seed funding from Frees Fund and other investors.

Multiway Robotics raised CN¥100,000,000 in a Series B funding round from Li Xiangle and other investors.

Peppermint Robotics raised ₹340,000,000 in Series A funding from Enrission India Capital and other investors.

Linghou Robotics raised an undisclosed amount through a Series A from BOZHON and other investors.

LANXIN Technology co., ltd. raised an undisclosed amount of Series C from Kunpeng Fund.

Comau is buying another Italian company, the warehousing and intralogistics automation specialist Automha S.p.A., from its owner, Trasma, for an undisclosed sum. Comau will acquire 100% of Automha’s shares, opening up new opportunities for it in the rapidly expanding warehousing and logistics sector, and exploiting the synergies between the businesses to create an Italian industrial automation hub able to compete in many global markets.

 

Technology news:

AutoStore™ has unveiled a series of new products aimed at increasing efficiency in high-throughput warehouse operations. The updates include an AI-powered piece-picking robot, a flexible workstation, an upgraded software suite, and new offerings for smaller warehouses and tighter budgets.

Locus Robotics has successfully deployed LocusOne at Boulanger, one of France’s top consumer electronics and home appliance retailers. This deployment marks a significant milestone in Boulanger’s digital transformation, transitioning from a fully manual operation to an advanced, flexible robotic solution that scales dynamically with demand.

 

Collaborations:

Telefónica Tech is collaborating with robotics and data intelligence company Dexory to hasten automated warehouse management.

Swisslog says that long-time customer Medline Industries, LP will implement an AutoStore system optimised by Swisslog’s Synq software within its Aurora, Colorado facility. When completed, it will be the 24th AutoStore system installation since the two companies began working together more than a decade ago.

 

 

Ready to talk to a recruiter to learn more about our services?

We focus on warehouse automation, industrial automation and robotics recruitment, consulting and sourcing top talent for businesses globally. To discuss a vacancy, get in touch here. Or, learn more about our team of experts here.