March and April 2025 merger, acquisition, automation industry insights<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bundy Group, an investment bank and advisory firm that specializes in the automation segment, provides an update on mergers and acquisitions and capital placement activity for this industry, with March 2025 report transactions, involving ABB Apptronik, ECS Solutions, NeoMatrix, Rapid Robotics, among others. Technologies involved include robotics, control system integration industrial control software and others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Bundy Group said, the automation market continues to experience many mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and capital markets activities. Drivers of this activity include the growth-oriented nature of the automation market, the consolidation opportunities within the industry, and the strength of many of the companies operating within it. The automation market has attracted a critical mass of strategic buyers and financial sponsors (private-equity groups, family offices, institutional investors) that seek to own or invest in companies in the industry. From such Bundy Group closed automation transactions as CITI System Integrators and Ultimation, our team continues to see strong interest from a range of qualified buyers in the automation segment. Further evidence of the robust M&A and capital placement activity in automation is provided in the below list of transactions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bundy Group\u2019s current engagements and owner relationships include control system integration, robotics, automated material handling, automation distribution, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. This serves as a leading indicator for submarkets the Bundy Group anticipates closed transactions in over the coming months and reporting in future updates here. Bundy noted the following transactions related to automation, controls or instrumentation in its latest summary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
April Bundy Group reported transactions for Control Engineering follow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ondex Automation<\/a> acquired NeoMatrix, a software-focused factory automation system integrator. The acquisition strengthens Ondex\u2019s capabilities in supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA), manufacturing execution systems (MES) and digital transformation solutions. Founded in 2003 and headquartered in Andover, Massachusets, with additional offices in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and Colorado Springs, Colorado, NeoMatrix specializes in designing and implementing plant automation systems. The company serves industries such as pharmaceuticals, life sciences, semiconductors and food and beverage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n LongueVue Capital<\/a> has invested in Daedalus Industrial, a South Carolina-based provider of building management systems, industrial automation, and electrical contracting for data centers and industrial sectors. Founded in 2018, Daedalus specializes in engineering, robotics and control panel fabrication, serving fast-growing markets like digital infrastructure, manufacturing, and automotive. The partnership will support Daedalus\u2019s next growth phase and enhance its operational capacity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sanctuary<\/a> is acquiring San Francisco-based Rapid Robotics as part of its $50-million funding round. The deal enhances Sanctuary\u2019s U.S. presence and leadership team, leveraging Rapid\u2019s product development and system integration expertise. Rapid Robotics, backed by NEA, Kleiner Perkins and Tiger Global, was last valued at $193.7 million in 2021. Founded in 2018, Sanctuary has raised around $140 million to date, with investors including Magna and BCE, amid rising competition from well-funded robotics firms like Figure AI, 1X and Tesla. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Graham Partners<\/a> sold its holdings in Gatekeeper Systems to a continuation fund managed by Graham and its latest buyout fund. The continuation fund was led by HarbourVest Partners, with additional support from other investors. Graham sees further value creation opportunities for Gatekeeper and looks forward to continuing its partnership with the company. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Jennmar<\/a> acquired the assets of All Tech Engineering (ATE), a provider of specialized automated machinery. The assets will operate as Jennmar Automation, LLC. This move enhances Jennmar\u2019s automation capabilities across its global manufacturing footprint, enabling faster delivery of products and solutions. Jennmar has been an ATE customer for over five years. <\/p>\n\n\n\n ADAC Automotive<\/a> acquired EBW Electronics, a Holland, Michigan-based electronics design and assembly company. The deal supports Adac\u2019s vertical integration by adding production and distribution of printed circuit board assemblies. It expands Adac\u2019s West Michigan footprint to five locations and expands its local team to over 1,000. The acquisition is expected to drive growth across automotive and adjacent industries, including commercial vehicles, agriculture and home products. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Quorum Software<\/a> acquired zdSCADA, a provider of cloud-based SCADA technology, enhancing its real-time production monitoring capabilities. The move strengthens Quorum\u2019s Upstream On Demand suite and complements its FlowCal and Coastal Flow services. Integrating zdSCADA expands Quorum\u2019s digital oilfield offering, helping operators optimize production, improve measurement and streamline field-to-office connectivity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Apptronik<\/a>, an AI-powered humanoid robotics company, closed an oversubscribed $403-million Series A round, surpassing its initial $350-million target. The round was led by B Capital and Capital Factory, with participation from Google, Mercedes-Benz, Japan Post Capital, ARK Invest and others, including a syndicate led by Korea Investment Partners. The strong investor turnout reflects confidence in Apptronik\u2019s leadership, innovative design and vision for advancing embodied AI.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dyna Robotics<\/a> raised a $23.5-million seed round, co-led by CRV and First Round Capital, to advance embodied artificial intelligence (AI) with affordable, easy-to-deploy robots for businesses of all sizes. Starting with tasks like folding and food prep, Dyna\u2019s stationary robotic arms enable AI models to learn in real-world environments, supporting the company\u2019s vision of achieving general-purpose embodied AI.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Chef Robotics<\/a> has raised $43.1 million in a mix of equity and debt, bringing its total capital raised to approximately $65.6 million. The equity round was led by Avataar Venture Partners, with investments from several firms, while the debt comes from Silicon Valley Bank. This funding will support Chef\u2019s robotics-as-a-service solution and is an endorsement of the company\u2019s progress and customer demand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Everaxis<\/a>, provider of high-precision rotating solutions, has acquired 2G Engineering, advancing its growth strategy and strengthening its footprint in the U.S. market. The acquisition complements Everaxis\u2019 organic growth with expanded capabilities, while staying aligned with its focus on highly engineered solutions and long-term growth potential. The move supports Everaxis\u2019 goal of building a balanced presence across U.S. and global markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n March Bundy Group reported transactions for Control Engineering follow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n ABB<\/a> acquired Virginia-based circular manufacturing company Molg through its ABB Motion Ventures to improve the design and reusability of ABB drives. The partnership will use Molg\u2019s robotic Microfactories to streamline assembly and testing, enhancing resource efficiency. This follows a successful proof of concept and builds on their collaboration since Molg’s win in the 2023 ABB Accelerating Circularity Startup Challenge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Magnum Systems<\/a> has acquired ECS Solutions, combining the strengths and expertise of both organizations to provide even more innovative and tailored solutions. Magnum Systems brings extensive experience in automation, pneumatic conveying and packaging, while ECS Solutions, a CSIA-Certified system integrator, is known for batch and process control automation, control systems integration and manufacturing execution systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Galco Industrial Electronics<\/a> acquired Brozelco Inc., a Tennessee-based industrial automation solutions provider. The acquisition strengthens Galco\u2019s expertise in engineering, system integration, fabrication and contracting, further enhancing its offerings in custom control solutions, turnkey electrical projects and hazardous location-certified system integration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sarine Technologies Ltd<\/a>., a provider of precision technology solutions for diamonds and gems, has signed a non-binding LOI Term Sheet to acquire a majority stake in Kitov.AI. The acquisition, subject to due diligence and a definitive agreement, will be an all-cash transaction. This move aligns with Sarine\u2019s strategy to expand its capabilities in AI-driven automation, further strengthening its position in the diamond and gem industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bundy Group is a boutique investment bank that specializes in representing automation, systems integration, industrial technology, internet of Things and cybersecurity companies in business sales, capital raises and acquisitions. Over the past 35 years, Bundy Group has advised and closed on over 250 transactions, which includes numerous automation-related transactions. Learn more at www.bundygroup.com<\/a> or by contacting Clint Bundy<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Clint Bundy<\/strong> is managing director, Bundy Group, which helps with mergers, acquisitions and raising capital. Edited by Mark T. Hoske, editor-in-chief, Control Engineering, WTWH Media, mhoske@wtwhmedia.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n ONLINE<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Search on Bundy at www.controleng.com<\/a> for more merger and acquisition news.<\/p>\n\n\n\nLongueVue Capital invested in Daedalus Industrial, April 9<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Sanctuary AI is acquiring Rapid Robotics, April 4<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
HarbourVest Partners invested in GateKeeper Systems, April 2<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Jennmar acquired All Tech Engineering, April 2<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Adac acquired EBW Electronics, April 1<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Quorum Software acquired zdSCADA, March 11<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Mercedes-Benz, Japan Post Capital, RyderVentures invested in Apptronik, March 18<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
CRV and First Round Capital invested in Dyna Robotics, March 25<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Avataar Venture Partners invested in Chef Robotics, March 31<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Everaxis acquired 2G Engineering, Feb. 13 <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
ABB acquired Molg, March 6<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Magnum Systems acquired ECS Solutions, Feb. 28<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Galco acquired Brozelco, Feb. 27<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Sarine seeks to acquire Kitov.AI, Feb. 23<\/h2>\n\n\n\n