KUKA has taken over Swisslog – a Switzerland-based producer of automation solutions.
According to KUKA, the aim is to create a new, global supplier of integrated automation solutions for industries. The Swisslog brand will be preserved folowing the takeover which was completed in December 2014.
Swisslog provides material handling solutions for warehouses and distribution centres in Australia and New Zealand, for customers such as Coca-Cola Amatil and Woolworths.
"KUKA Australia and Swisslog have worked together locally on projects for major companies in the past with a good deal of cooperation, which is certain to become even stronger," KUKA Australia CEO, Greg Sale, told PACE.
"For local industries, the combination of the two companies will provide greater access to the latest and most efficient technologies and a strengthening of the service and support,” added Sale (pictured alongside).
KUKA is focused on robot-supported automation for industrial manufacturing processes and is considered a leading supplier of robotics, plant engineering and plant assembly services.
"The combination of Swisslog with Kuka creates potential for numerous industries including manufacturing and food where flexible automation of industrial processes is a long-term goal," Shaun Roper, Swisslog Australia's Managing Director (pictured alongside), told PACE.
"Swisslog’s expertise in warehouse automation, in areas such as palletising and the picking of goods are some examples of the benefits Kuka customers may experience. Likewise, Swisslog customers will benefit from the opportunity to enhance and broaden our product and solution offering in areas such as advanced controls solutions and robotics," added Roper.
"Together, as a new global supplier, we will be building on an existing relationship to provide a seamless approach that customers will benefit from."