Amazon acquiring warehouse robotics maker Cloostermans

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Amazon today is continuing its acquisitions streak. Amazon has agreed to acquire Cloostermans, a Belgium-based company that specializes in mechatronics. Cloostermans has been selling products to Amazon since at least 2019, including technology Amazon uses in its operation to move and stack heavy pallets and totes and robots to package products for customer orders.

Amazon said this acquisition will ramp up its R&D and deployment in those areas.

“We’re thrilled to be joining the Amazon family and extending the impact we can have at a global scale,” said Frederik Berckmoes-Joos, CEO of Cloostermans. “Amazon has raised the bar for how supply chain technologies can benefit employees and customers, and we’re looking forward to be part of the next chapter of this innovation.”

The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Founded in 1884, Cloostermans has been privately held for the last six generations. Cloostermans has about 200 employees that will join Amazon Global Robotics’ growing presence in Europe.

Amazon said it has deployed more than 520,000 robots in its facilities worldwide. Of course, that all started in 2012 when Amazon acquired Kiva Systems and its automated guided vehicle (AGV) technology for $775 million. Amazon recently introduced its first autonomous mobile robot (AMR), Proteus. It does similar tasks as the Kiva robots, but can work freely around Amazon workers instead of caged off areas. 
Since the acquisition of Kiva Systems, Amazon has built out an impressive robotics portfolio. And it’s not limited to just warehouse robotics systems. Amazon has a pending deal to acquire iRobot for $1.7 billion that is being reviewed by the Federal Trade Commission. It also acquired Canvas Technology, Dispatch and Zoox, and invested in companies such as Agility Robotics, which will be demoing and talking about its bipedal robot, Digit, at RoboBusiness 2022.
“Amazon’s investments in robotics and technology are supporting how we build a better and safer workplace for our employees and deliver for our customers,” said Ian Simpson, vice president of global robotics at Amazon, in a statement. “As we continue to broaden and accelerate the robotics and technology we design, engineer and deploy across our operations, we look forward to welcoming Cloostermans to Amazon and are excited to see what we can build together.”