ABB Acquires Logistics Tech Firm intrion

Swedish-Swiss multinational corporation ABB has completed its acquisition of intrion, with the aim of boosting its expertise in fast-growing logistics automation market.

intrion is a privately owned company headquartered in Huizingen, close to Brussels, with approximately 120 employees and over a decade of experience in logistics automation solutions and services for the logistics, food and beverage and pharmaceutical industries.

The acquisition was announced on July 24, 2018. The two parties agreed not to disclose the value of the transaction.

Distribution and fulfilment centers are increasingly turning to robotic automation solutions to improve their efficiency, workplace safety and scalability to meet soaring demand. According to the International Federation of Robotics, the market for professional service robots is expected to grow at an annual rate of 20 - 25 percent between 2018 and 2020.

“We are very pleased to welcome intrion to ABB,” said Sami Atiya, President of ABB’s Robotic and Motion division. “This milestone acquisition into the logistics market will significantly advance ABB’s logistics robotics offering and ensure that our customers and system partners are well equipped for the growth of e-commerce and shift to mass customization that are driving ever-increasing delivery expectations.”

intrion has been an ABB Authorized Value Provider since 2010, and has grown its business to become a well-established logistics automation solutions integrator in Benelux. It will become part of ABB’s Robotics and Motion division, serving as a new regional application center focusing on warehouse & logistics solutions for the wholesale & retail distribution, e-commerce and post and parcel markets in Europe.