US-based Automated Industrial Robotics, Inc (AIR) has acquired Wakefield-based
Sewtec Automation Ltd, a leading industrial automation company. The transaction expands AIR’s geographic footprint, strengthens its engineering capabilities and further positions the company to capitalise on the increasing global demand for automation solutions within the manufacturing industry. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Founded in 1983, Sewtec employs 170 people dedicated to advancing the company’s mission to solve complex problems through engineering innovation and excellent customer service. Sewtec operates out of a 75,000ft
2 design and manufacturing facility, serving a range of brands across various sectors, including pharmaceutical, medical devices, food and beverage, personal care, pet care and e-commerce. With over 7,000 industrial automation systems invented, the UK company prides itself on its technical expertise, industry knowledge and experience working across a wide variety of sectors to develop solutions that improve its customers’ processes.
Sewtec joins
Totally Automated Systems and
Modular Automation as a foundational asset of the AIR portfolio. With the acquisition of Sewtec, AIR now has over 400 employees in total and an automation hub footprint of approximately 275,000ft
2 across the USA, Ireland and the UK. By leveraging the significant engineering experience and capabilities in each of these hubs, AIR is advancing its goal to seamlessly deliver differentiated industrial automation solutions and service to its global customer base. With Ares’ support, AIR expects to seek to further expand its platform through future strategic acquisitions of industrial automation companies with strong operational histories and tenured management teams, in addition to continued investment in its organic growth strategy.
Industry-leading automation solutionsAIR executive chairman Brian Klos and CEO Darragh de Stonndún, said: “The acquisition of Sewtec represents a significant milestone for AIR. We have long been admirers of the quality of the automation solutions Sewtec has developed for its loyal customer base. We believe that sharing the respective strengths of Sewtec, TA Systems and Modular through AIR will help accelerate our businesses’ abilities to enhance efficiencies, drive technological innovation and deliver industry-leading automation solutions to our partners.”
Mark Cook, Sewtec co-managing director and newly appointed COO of AIR, said: “This transaction represents an exciting new chapter in Sewtec’s long history. I believe AIR is the right partner as we look to grow our business with existing and new customers. We look forward to leveraging the skills and know-how across AIR to further our ability to invent innovative solutions that help our customers solve complex operational challenges. As COO of AIR, I look forward to working with team members across the company to execute on our shared vision of creating a cohesive, global industrial automation platform.”
The transaction was funded primarily by an additional investment from an Ares Management Private Equity fund. Matt Cwiertnia, partner and head of Ares concluded: “Ares is proud to continue its support of AIR’s growth through this latest acquisition of Sewtec. This reinforces our shared goal of building AIR into a scaled player with a global manufacturing footprint, and we look forward to continuing to work with the company to meet the significant and growing demand for high quality automation solutions.”