ABB acquires pick-and-place specialists Codian Robotics

ABB is expanding its portfolio of high-speed industrial robots with the acquisition of Codian Robotics B.V. (Netherlands), a leading supplier of delta robots used predominantly for high-precision pick-and-place applications.

The acquisition was signed and closed on 8 October and will enable ABB to strengthen its presence in the food and beverage, pharmaceutical and logistics sectors.

The operation also confirms ABB’s interest in innovative technologies which can help customers fully realise the potential of automation and increase their flexibility in a rapidly changing business landscape.

Codian Robotics’ offering includes a hygienic design line, ideal for hygiene-sensitive industries such as food and beverage and pharmaceuticals which are showing greater interest in the potential of automation following the health emergency.

“There is a strong need for pick and place robots that ensure high hygienic standards, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Sami Atiya, President of ABB Robotics & Discrete Automation. “Our food and beverage, pharmaceutical and logistics customers are particularly interested in the potential of automation, enabling supply chains to continue to function while protecting employee welfare.”

In the future, ABB will be able to provide its customers with a broader range of delta robots and integrated solutions from a single source, contributing to ABB’s machine-centric robotics strategy which integrates machine automation and robot control into a single platform.