DS Automotion becomes a full member of the SSI Schaefer Group and will strengthen the further expansion of the robotics business

Neunkirchen, Germany / Linz, Austria January 27, 2023 – The SSI Schaefer Group, a leading international provider of modular warehousing and logistics solutions employing some 10,000 people, and DS Automotion GmbH, a leading provider of mobile robotics (AGV – Automated Guided Vehicles and AMR – Autonomous Mobile Robots) headquartered in Linz, signed an agreement under which SSI Schaefer will acquire all shares in DS Automotion GmbH. 

 

SSI Schaefer will thus expand the minority interest it has held since 2018 to reflect the growing importance of autonomous and mobile robotics and the AGV business in intralogistics. The acquisition of the remaining shares will take effect on March 1st, 2023 and is subject to approval by Austria’s Federal Competition Authority. 

 

The parties agreed not to disclose the purchase price of the shares. The management team led by Managing Directors Manfred Hummenberger and Wolfgang Hillinger will stay on board. DS Automotion will continue to operate independently with its well-established brand.

 

“The partnership with DS Automotion has been clearly intensified over the past two years, and the AGV business in intralogistics is growing very dynamically,” says Steffen Bersch, CEO of the SSI Schaefer Group. “Therefore, we are very pleased that the company, which is a leading player in the international market, will become a full member of the SSI Schaefer Group. Together, we will continue our growth story in robotics.” 

 

The further development of autonomous mobile robots (AMR) is one of the key joint initiatives in the context of the general realignment of the robotics business. Characterized by simple commissioning and flexible applications, this product segment is becoming increasingly important and offers excellent growth opportunities. 

 

DS Automotion has developed standards such as Plannable Autonomy and Cooperative Navigation in this product segment, which help combine the benefits of flexibility with the reliability and availability of industrial systems. This transformation is based on DS Automotion’s high in-house technology expertise, which builds on 40 years of navigation and control know-how. 

 

“DS Automotion has grown strongly and continuously over the past years, and by placing a stronger focus on technology and product standardization, we have greatly increased the quality and performance of the company,” says Manfred Hummenberger, CEO of DS Automotion. “To continue to keep pace with the rapid developments in this industry, now is the right time to take the cooperation with SSI Schaefer to a new level and to participate in the global growth opportunities of the robotics sector by joining forces.”

 

The acquisition of the remaining shares in DS Automotion represents an important milestone in expanding the technology leadership of the SSI Schaefer Group and will strengthen its competitiveness and innovation power in robotics and automation, which are pioneering for intralogistics. 

 

At the same time, DS Automotion will continue to operate in the established fields such as production and healthcare logistics as well as assembly systems. These segments will continue to be further expanded with a focus on innovation and existing customer relationships will be strengthened.

 

About SSI Schaefer Group

The SSI Schaefer Group is a leading international provider of modular warehousing and logistics solutions. With headquarters located in Neunkirchen (Germany), SSI Schaefer employs approximately 10,000 associates globally, along with seven domestic and international production sites, and approximately 70 worldwide operating subsidiaries. Across six continents, SSI Schaefer develops and implements innovative industry-specific answers to its customers’ unique challenges. As a result, it plays a key role in shaping the future of materials handling. 

 

SSI Schaefer designs, develops and manufactures systems for warehouses and industrial plants. Its portfolio includes manual and automated solutions for warehousing, conveying, picking and sorting, plus technologies for waste management and recycling. In addition, SSI Schaefer is now a leading provider of modular, regularly updated software for in-house material flows. Its software team, with a headcount in excess of 1,100, develops high-performance applications, and provides customers with in-depth advice on the intelligent combination of software with intralogistics equipment. The SSI Schaefer IT offering, including its own WAMAS® and SAP products, delivers seamless support for all warehouse and material flow management processes. Solutions from SSI Schaefer improve the productivity and efficiency of customer organizations – not least through the highly precise monitoring, visualization, and analysis of operational metrics for proactive intralogistics management.

 

SSI Schaefer offers highly sophisticated, turnkey systems. As an international player, it can deliver one-stop solutions to all four corners of the earth. Its comprehensive portfolio encompasses design, planning, consulting, and customer-specific aftersales services and maintenance.

 

With the two robotics specialists RO-BER and DS Automotion, SSI Schaefer is not only a strong and competent partner for innovative applications in intralogistics, but also for the automation of industrial assembly and production systems, as well as systems for internal hospital logistics.

 

About DS Automotion

DS AUTOMOTION GmbH, headquartered in Linz, Austria, is a globally leading supplier of automated guided vehicle (AGV) transport systems and autonomous mobile robotics. Since 1984, the company has been specializing in the development and production of automation solutions for various applications and industries. The company’s rich experiences from the development and production of more than 8,000 custom vehicles loop back into the development of standard products. The company’s more than 270 employees act globally, generating over 90 percent of the revenues through export.