Effidence Technologies and Manitou sign Strategic Partnership

Manitou Group and Effidence Technologies have signed a strategic partnership for the co-development and marketing of a range of logistics robots.

The objective of the partnership to to combine the latest in robotic technologies for warehousing with the strength of a distribution network.

Effidence has been developing collaborative and autonomous mobile robotic solutions to improve internal logistics flows in industry and logistics since 2016. A pioneer in “Follow-me” collaborative technology, Effidence is the creator of the EffiBOT robot, an agile and versatile solution that is optimized for preparing orders or conveying bins or boxes. EffiBOT is already being distributed to the major 3PL operators, car makers, and other industrial companies in Europe and abroad.

Cédric Tessier, Founder and President of Effidence, says: “With EffiBOT, we have demonstrated that robotics can offer much more than simply a method for conveying goods. Our robots are real productivity tools for Industry 4.0 that safety coexist with operators. In order to expand our range of robots, we have decided that Effidence Technologies is to partner with Manitou Group, an expert in warehousing.”

In addition to Effidence robotic carts, which will be distributed by Manitou Group dealers, a range of stackers and industrial tractors will expand the offering of collaborative and autonomous warehousing equipment. The robotic autonomous stackers will be co-designed by both partners and assembled by LMH Solutions, a subsidiary of Manitou Group located in Beaupréau (Maine-et-Loire, France).

The stackers will have a capacity of between 1 and 2.5 tons and will be serviced by Manitou Group’s network of technicians. Sylvain Jaguelin, Chief Executive Officer of LMH Solutions, highlights the benefits of this partnership: “We are driven to continuously innovate to accelerate automation in logistics centers and industry. With the technology developed by Effidence, we will be able to offer our customers intelligent, powerful, and fully integrated solutions that are able to meet the challenges of logistics and Industry 4.0. These new solutions are a perfect embodiment of our day-to-day mission “to improve working conditions, safety, and performance – everywhere in the world – while protecting humans and their environment.”

From design to distribution of the innovative products, this strategic agreement will create synergy through the combination of an innovative and agile company with the power of an international industrial group.