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| Kiva Systems robots at work (Dawghause Photography) |
Big news in the Massachusetts robotics community this week. Local robotic warehouse automation company Kiva Systems announced plans to be acquired by Amazon.com for approximately $775M in cash in Q2 of 2012. At MassTLC we know Kiva Systems as an excellent example of innovation in Massachusetts and an active member of MassTLC’s Robotics Cluster.
According to the Boston Globe, this is the second largest acquisition ever made by Amazon.
Here are a few quotes right from the Kiva press release:
Kiva Systems CEO and founder Mick Mountz remarked in a statement that, “For the past ten years, the Kiva team has been focused on creating innovative material handling technologies…. I’m delighted that Amazon is supporting our growth so that we can provide even more valuable solutions in the coming years.”
Dave Clark, vice president, global customer fulfillment at Amazon.com noted that “Amazon has long used automation in its fulfillment centers, and Kiva’s technology is another way to improve productivity by bringing the products directly to employees to pick, pack and stow…. Kiva shares our passion for invention, and we look forward to supporting their continued growth.”
The good news for Kiva Systems employees and for Massachusetts is the headquarters will remain in North Reading.
For more information, read Hiawatha Bray’s Boston Globe Article, Amazon buys robot maker Kiva for $775m.
