Amazon will acquire Cloostermans, a Belgium-based warehouse machinery company, in the latest expansion of the e-commerce giant’s warehouse robotics.
The acquisition agreement, announced Tuesday morning, builds on a working relationship that the companies established in 2019. Amazon said the deal will help it “more rapidly deploy solutions in our workplace that support employees in their roles and improve safety at work, and also help reduce packaging waste.”
Cloostermans specializes in the field known as mechatronics, which combines mechanics, electronics and computing. Amazon says it uses Cloostermans’ technology for functions including stacking and moving heavy palettes and totes.
It’s part of a broader effort by Amazon to use robots to improve the safety of its warehouse operations. Earlier this year, the company unveiled a new fleet of robots and automated systems, including the first fully autonomous robot that Amazon says can operate safely alongside humans on the warehouse floor.
Cloostermans has about 200 workers who are expected to join Amazon’s robotics team in Europe after the acquisition closes. Financial terms were not disclosed. It’s one of several Amazon acquisitions announced so far this year.
