The Bundy Group reported 17 automation transactions in its January 2025 summary. Analysis on the acquisitions and reports are highlighted below including transactions from, Detroit Pump & Mfg., Robo Mat, Slip Robotics and Symation.
Bundy Group, an investment bank and advisory firm that specializes in the automation segment, provides an update on mergers and acquisitions and capital placement activity for this industry, with 17 January 2025 report transactions, involving Detroit Pump & Mfg., Robo Mat, Slip Robotics and Symation among others. Technologies involved include motion control, process controls, machine vision, robotics and others.
The Bundy Group said, “The automation market continues to experience a tremendous amount of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and capital markets activity. Drivers of this activity include the growth-oriented nature of the automation market, the consolidation opportunities within the industry, and the strength of many of the companies operating within it. The automation market has attracted a critical mass of strategic buyers and financial sponsors (private equity groups, family offices, institutional investors) that are looking to own or invest in companies in the industry. From such Bundy Group closed automation transactions as CITI System Integrators and Ultimation, our team continues to see strong interest from a range of qualified buyers in the automation segment. Further evidence of the robust M&A and capital placement activity in automation is provided in the below list of transactions.”
Bundy Group’s current engagements and owner relationships include control system integration, robotics, automated material handling, automation distribution, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. This serves as a leading indicator for submarkets the Bundy Group anticipates closed transactions in over the coming months and reporting in future updates here.
Bundy noted the following 17 transactions related to automation, controls or instrumentation in its January summary.
Advanced Material Processing merged Automated Handling Solutions, Jan. 15
May River Capital has merged its portfolio companies, Advanced Material Processing (AMP) and Automated Handling Solutions (AHS). The combined platform will offer material processing, handling equipment and aftermarket services to industries including food and beverage, pharmaceutical, nutraceutical and chemical. The new entity will be headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, with additional centers in Iowa, California, the UK and Germany.
Ceragon agreed to acquire End 2 End Technologies, Jan. 14
Ceragon entered into a definitive agreement to acquire End 2 End Technologies, a U.S. systems integration and software development company serving Private Networks in the Energy and Utilities markets, for $8.5 million, with up to an additional $4.3 million based on future financial goals. The acquisition will be financed through Ceragon’s available cash and unused credit facilities, along with the issuance of approximately 215,000 ordinary shares.
Wabtec Corp. agreed to acquire Evident’s Inspection Technologies, Jan. 14
Wabtec Corp. reached an agreement to acquire Evident’s Inspection Technologies division, formerly part of Olympus Corp. The acquisition will enhance Wabtec’s Digital Intelligence business and support its growth while improving customer productivity, reliability and safety.
Headwall Group acquired EVK, Jan. 14
Headwall Group, a global provider of high-performance spectral imaging solutions and optical components and a portfolio company of private equity firm Arsenal Capital Partners, has acquired EVK DI Kerschhaggl GmbH, an Austria-based technology company specializing in industrial sensor-based sorting and inspection systems. This strategic acquisition advances Headwall’s mission to enhance its portfolio and strengthen its presence in the industrial machine vision market.
Bishop-Wisecarver acquires Symation, Jan. 9
Bishop-Wisecarver, a provider of innovative linear and rotary motion solutions, acquired Symation, a leader in motion control system integration. The acquisition enhances Bishop-Wisecarver’s ability to offer diverse mechatronic solutions and strengthens its position in delivering custom automation projects and high-performance, tailored systems across a wide range of industries.
Vinci Energies acquired Robo Mat, Jan. 8
Vinci Energies has acquired the Swiss special machinery and systems manufacturer Robo Mat AG, based in Kleindöttingen. Robo Mat designs, develops and constructs turnkey special machines, assembly and production systems, including robots, rotary tables, vision systems and palletizing systems, serving customers in the pharmaceutical and medical technology industrial sectors.
Tencarva Machinery Co. acquired Detroit Pump & Mfg. Co, Jan. 9
Tencarva Machinery Co., the Southeast’s premier distributor and service provider of flow control and process equipment, has acquired Detroit Pump & Mfg. Co. Based in Warren, Michigan, Detroit Pump is a leading distributor and service provider of process pumping and fluid handling equipment to manufacturers and municipalities. Tencarva is backed by Bessemer Investors LLC. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
GCM acquired Precision Swiss Products, Jan. 7
GCM, an outsourced manufacturer of precision components for the medical technology sector, has acquired Precision Swiss Products, a provider of technical machining solutions. The acquisition scales and diversifies GCM’s manufacturing capabilities, adding valuable content to its existing customer base and providing access to new customers.
Myron Scholes, Gary Rieschel and Carnegie Mellon University funds RoboForce, Jan.6
RoboForce, a provider of robo-labor technology, has closed a $10M seed financing round, with support from notable investors including Nobel Laureate Myron Scholes, Softbank VC co-founder Gary Rieschel and Carnegie Mellon University. The funding enables RoboForce to fulfill orders for early customers, providing robots capable of tackling labor shortages in harsh environments, performing hazardous tasks, and maximizing efficiency with 1mm precision and an AI-powered co-pilot system.
Duravant acquired Poss Design Limited, Dec. 1, 2024
Duravant LLC, a global provider of engineered equipment and automation solutions for the food processing, packaging and material handling sectors, has acquired Poss Design Limited, a leading manufacturer of protein processing solutions based in the Greater Toronto Area of Ontario, Canada. Poss specializes in designing and building innovative mechanical separation equipment, ancillary products and turnkey systems that optimize protein yields for high-volume processors of beef, pork, chicken, turkey and other meats.
Pengate acquired Hooper Material Handling, Dec. 1, 2024
Pengate has acquired Hooper Material Handling, a distributor of material handling equipment based in Hamburg, New York, for an undisclosed amount. Hooper supplies Raymond industrial trucks, System Logistics automated storage and retrieval systems, Digital Lumens LED and Lumen Optix industrial lighting, along with other equipment designed to address material handling and storage challenges.
Relevant Industrial acquired Loy Instrument, Dec. 20, 2024
Relevant Industrial LLC, a provider of industrial equipment and engineered solutions, has acquired Loy Instrument Inc., a provider of process control and combustion solutions based in Indianapolis, Indiana. This strategic acquisition enhances Relevant’s expertise in combustion, process control and automation.
Emergent Ventures and Engine Ventures funds T-robotics, Dec. 17, 2024
T-robotics, a developer enabling programming for any robot through natural language and skill models without requiring code, has raised $5.4 million in a seed round co-led by Emergent Ventures and Engine Ventures, with participation from Berkeley Skydeck and Raisewell. The funding will support the company’s expansion across the U.S. and EU T-robotics was recognized as one of two winners from over 100 global applicants in the ABB AI Startup Challenge.
DCVC funds Slip Robotics, Dec. 17, 2024
Slip Robotics, a next-generation provider of automated truck-loading robots-as-a-service, has raised $28 million in Series B financing led by DCVC, a Silicon Valley venture capital firm specializing in deep tech. This investment highlights Slip’s rapid growth with industry-leading customers such as John Deere, GE Appliances, Valeo and Nissan, who leverage SlipBots to load and unload any truck in just five minutes.
SureKap acquired Kraken Automation, Dec. 20, 2024
SureKap, a portfolio company of LFM Capital, has rebranded to Excelis Packaging Automation and acquired Kraken Automation Inc. The rebranding of SureKap to Excelis Packaging Automation reflects the expanded automation capabilities offered by the growing platform. Excelis provides turnkey automation solutions through its commitment to best-in-class, North American-made packaging equipment, parts and service.
Halifax Group invests in Q-mation, Dec. 19, 2024
Halifax Group, a middle-market private equity firm, has invested in Q-mation, a North American industrial automation software and hardware distributor and services provider. Q-mation’s CEO Bob D’Agostino, the founders, and the existing management team will continue to lead the company and invest alongside Halifax.
Rhino Tool House acquired UWBA Design, Dec. 16, 2024
Rhino Tool House, a provider of intelligent fastening and customized material handling solutions, has acquired UWBA Design, an automation controls company based in Columbus, Indiana. This acquisition enhances Rhino Tool House’s controls and programming expertise, expanding its automation solutions for a diverse range of industries.
ONLINE extra: Bundy Group is a boutique investment bank that specializes in representing automation, systems integration, industrial technology, internet of Things and cybersecurity companies in business sales, capital raises and acquisitions. Over the past 35 years, Bundy Group has advised and closed on over 250 transactions, which includes numerous automation-related transactions. Learn more or contact Clint Bundy.
Clint Bundy is managing director, Bundy Group, which helps with mergers, acquisitions and raising capital. Edited by Mark T. Hoske, editor-in-chief, Control Engineering, WTWH Media, [email protected].
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See the December automation mergers and acquisitions article here:
Latest automation mergers, December 2024: robotics, process sensing, AI
