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Piab acquires FEBA Automation - accelerates expansion within robotic gripping

With the acquisition of FEBA Automation, a Germany-based developer and producer of robotic gripping solutions for customers in the manufacturing industry, Piab takes the next step in creating a growth-platform within the robotic gripping segment.

EQT VII portfolio company Piab today announced the acquisition of robotic gripping player FEBA Automation, headquartered in Germany. The add-on follows the recent acquisition of US-based SAS Automation and is yet another step in Piab’s mission to create a new growth-platform within the robotic gripping and end-of-arm tooling segment.

Piab is a global technology pioneer within industrial automation and robot components and provides smart solutions for the automated world. Founded in 1951, Piab offers a wide assortment of vacuum ejectors, suction cups and conveyors for lifting, holding and moving objects in automated factory processes. Piab serves a highly diversified customer base of over 60,000 clients in around 70 countries via a network of subsidiaries and distributors. The company’s products drive productivity and energy-efficiency across many end-markets, such as packaging, e-commerce logistics, electronics, automotive as well as food and pharma. 

Bringing more than 65 years of experience and product innovation from vacuum automation and conveying, Piab enjoys a market-leading position in its core segment. Since the company was acquired by EQT in January 2016, the mission has been to strengthen Piab's global footprint, both organically and through acquisitions, but also to accelerate the company’s new product development, drive further expansion into Industry 4.0 applications as well as to continuously diversify into targeted end-markets, creating a broad platform for continued growth. In 2017, Piab reported sales over SEK 1 billion (~EUR 100 million).

“Following the add-on of SAS Automation in November 2017, the acquisition of FEBA Automation fortifies Piab's position in the robotic gripping segment, while strengthening its position in the US, Germany and China, as well as in high-growth end-markets. The two acquisitions will allow the company to respond to customers' demand for a single supplier of both vacuum-based and mechanical gripping technology”, says Harry Klagsbrun, Partner and Investment Advisor to EQT VII.

Capturing the opportunities of the automation megatrend

Automation is transforming production processes around the globe, driven by the continuous strive for an efficient production, higher quality, and a generally improved working environment. The technological breakthroughs in robotics and connectivity bring multiple opportunities, such as opening-up new industries for automation and facilitating fully digital business models, requiring Piab's smart and line-critical solutions.

Piab's CEO Anders Lindqvist comments:

"The automation trend, supported by robotics and IoT, is a key driver behind Piab's strong growth. We have pioneered vacuum automation since the 1960s and are well-positioned as the global leader in our field. The acquisitions of FEBA and SAS complement our offering with robotic grippers, making it possible for Piab to address a substantially larger market. Our smart, line-critical solutions unlock value for our customers by moving things faster, safer and at extremely low energy consumption, and the acquisitions are an important step to reach our vision to become the global leader in gripping and moving solutions."

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