Brooks Automation Inc. today announced that it has agreed to acquire Precise Automation Inc., a provider of collaborative robots and automation subsystems, for about $70 million. The companies said they expect the transaction to close by the end of this month, depending on working capital and customary closing conditions.
“Precise provides Brooks with a product offering and technology portfolio that is well positioned to take advantage of the exciting growth opportunities in the collaborative robot market,” stated Steve Schwartz, president and CEO of Brooks Automation. “Their history of innovation in vision technology, precision motion, integrated controllers, and direct drive motors and track record of solving customer challenges in laboratory and semiconductor automation makes Precise a great fit with Brooks.”
Precise, Brooks offer life-sciences automation
Precise Automation said its proprietary technology enables human-robot workflows in a safe and easy-to-use manner, automating processes that could not be addressed practically in the past. The Fremont, Calif.-based company claimed that its collaborative robots, which include SCARA, six-axis, and Cartesian configurations, are delivered fully assembled and are designed for easy systems integration by end users and OEM customers.
Precise Automation's products are used in a variety of markets including laboratory automation and semiconductor and electronics manufacturing. Laboratory automation applications include drug discovery, analytical laboratory, clinical diagnostics, and genomics.
Brooks Automation is a worldwide provider of life-science sample-based systems and semiconductor manufacturing product. With over 40 years of experience in the semiconductor manufacturing industry, the Chelmsford, Mass.-based company said it provides precision vacuum robotics, integrated automation systems, and contamination-control systems to tsemiconductor chip makers and equipment manufacturers.
Brooks said its life sciences business provides a full suite of reliable cold-chain sample management solutions and genomic services across areas such as drug development, clinical research, and advanced cell therapies. It supplies pharmaceutical, biotech, academic, and healthcare institutions globally. Brooks Life Sciences' GENEWIZ division provides gene-sequencing and gene-synthesis services.
Co-founders Brian Carlisle and Dr. Bruce Shimano, who have more than 35 years each of robotics experience, will join Brooks and continue to lead Precise Automation. They will report to Dave Jarzynka, president of the Semiconductor Solutions Group at Brooks. Precise Automation generated $17 million in revenue over the past 12 months and said it expects the acquisition to be immediately accretive to earnings.
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