Comau Enters Agreement to Acquire Automha

Comau has signed a binding agreement for the acquisition of Automha, an Italian company operating in the warehousing and intralogistics automation industry, owned by Trasma. The closing of the transaction is subject to the satisfaction of customary conditions precedent in transactions of this type, including necessary regulatory approvals, and is expected to occur in the second quarter of 2025. Under the terms of the agreement Comau will acquire 100% of Automha shares, paving the way for new opportunities within the rapidly growing warehousing and logistics sector and establishing a further step toward the creation of a forward-focused Italian industrial automation hub able to innovate and compete in multiple markets.

To ensure business continuity, Automha will continue to operate with the same structure, management and strategic vision, keeping people, quality and innovation at its core. Franco Togni will retain his position as CEO while Gianni Togni and Roberta Togni, in addition to continuing in their current roles, will join the Comau Executive Committee to contribute to the ongoing development of both companies.

This binding agreement is coherent with the strategy behind the recent change in Comau’s shareholder structure – whose majority share is now held by One Equity Partners, an international private equity firm – which has allowed Comau to become a standalone company. With this acquisition Comau reconfirms and strengthens its Italian roots and operations, while enhancing its global offer and international presence. In parallel, Automha will be able to scale-up and further develop its business by leveraging an enhanced geographical footprint and in-house technology competencies. Furthermore, given that Comau and Automha are fully complementary, the relationship will strengthen the mutual portfolio of projects.

“Expanding our reach, know-how and technology portfolio through the acquisition of innovative companies such as Automha is a crucial step in Comau’s growth strategy, as defined when we became a stand-alone company and implemented immediately after the closing phase,” said Pietro Gorlier, CEO of Comau. “In addition to capitalizing on the strong growth potential of warehousing and intralogistics markets, the integration of Automha within Comau will allow us to leverage our combined expertise and resources, to accelerate innovation and growth across a wide range of global industrial sectors.”

“When we invested in Comau, we saw a clear path forward to help the company expand strategically and gain scale. M&A is a main driver for this, and we identified warehouse, logistics and handling automation systems as a significant opportunity for this business,” said Ante Kusurin, Partner at One Equity Partners. “The acquisition of Automha is a move toward diversification of Comau’s operations and further taps the company into industrial automation trends improving productivity across many industries. We are excited for the opportunity ahead of us as these two complementary companies join forces.”

“In Comau we have found a partner who shares our values of quality, innovation, and commitment to customer success,” added Franco Togni, Founder of Automha. “This new chapter represents not only a moment of growth for Automha but also a continuation of the journey that began in 1979. I look forward to the future that lies ahead, knowing that together with Comau, we will continue to build excellence, expand our global impact and to reach a proper size to keep a leading position in a market that is increasing competitiveness and project dimensions.”

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DSV Acquires DB Schenker Amid Industry Consolidation

In a major industry shake-up, DSV has acquired DB Schenker, positioning itself as a major player in global logistics. This acquisition enhances DSV’s capabilities in European land transport and rail freight, aligning with the industry’s shift towards multimodal solutions and sustainability. The deal reflects a trend of consolidation, with logistics companies like CMA CGM and Kuehne+Nagel expanding their operations. As DSV integrates DB Schenker, it will face challenges in streamlining operations, but the combined entity will offer more competitive, efficient supply chain solutions globally.

In a major industry shake-up, DSV has acquired DB Schenker for a transaction valued at EUR 14.3 billion at enterprise value, positioning itself as a leading global logistics provider. This acquisition significantly enhances DSV’s capabilities, particularly in European land transport and rail freight, aligning with the industry’s shift towards multimodal solutions and sustainability. The combined entity is projected to have pro forma revenue of EUR 39.3 billion (based on 2023 figures) and a workforce of approximately 147,000 employees across more than 90 countries. This deal reflects a trend of consolidation, as logistics giants like CMA CGM and Kuehne+Nagel expand their global operations. As DSV integrates DB Schenker, it faces operational challenges, but the merged company is poised to offer more competitive and efficient supply chain solutions globally.

Strategic Importance

This acquisition strengthens DSV’s market position by adding DB Schenker’s extensive European network to its global operations. DB Schenker is a leader in land and rail transport, making DSV more competitive in Europe and enhancing its multimodal offerings at a time when sustainability and efficient transport are in high demand. With the logistics industry focusing more on green logistics, DSV can leverage DB Schenker’s rail freight expertise to offer environmentally friendly solutions across Europe. According to Jens H. Lund, Group CEO, DSV, the acquisition is a “transformative event” that will create a “world-leading transport and logistics powerhouse” and improve competitiveness across DSV’s divisions—Air & Sea, Road, and Solutions.

Competitive Landscape

The acquisition highlights the growing consolidation in logistics as major players like DSV seek to scale their operations. The deal follows similar moves by competitors such as CMA CGM’s acquisition of Bolloré Logistics and Kuehne+Nagel’s digital expansions. With customers increasingly demanding integrated, end-to-end supply chain services, DSV’s expanded footprint and service capabilities position it well to compete with rivals like DHL and Kuehne+Nagel in offering seamless logistics solutions across regions and transport modes.

Challenges and Integration

Despite the opportunities, DSV faces significant integration challenges, particularly with DB Schenker’s vast operations. Successfully merging technology, workforce, and operational standards will be key to realizing the full benefits of the acquisition. However, DSV has demonstrated its ability to handle such integrations, as seen with the Panalpina merger in 2019. The company is expected to focus on optimizing its services, reducing operational costs, and enhancing efficiency to improve competitiveness in an increasingly digital logistics environment.

Future Outlook

This acquisition will likely accelerate consolidation in the logistics industry as companies seek to expand their reach and enhance service offerings. The global logistics market is increasingly focusing on sustainability, operational efficiency, and innovation. DSV’s acquisition of DB Schenker positions the company to lead in this evolving landscape, offering comprehensive and sustainable supply chain solutions. As DSV integrates DB Schenker’s resources and expertise, it will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of global logistics, driving higher standards of service and operational efficiency.

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