Rethink Robotics announces new female leadership team

Following the launch of Rethink Robotics’ new product portfolio at IMTS 2024 in Chicago, the company recently named a new all-female leadership team.

Effective immediately, Julia Astrid Riemenschneider has been appointed chief executive officer, and Franziska Lorenz chief operations officer. With these appointments, Rethink Robotics said it has become the first and only player in the collaborative robotics field with two women at the helm.

New CEO, COO look to execute company’s growth strategy

In these new roles, Rethink said that Riemenschneider and Lorenz’ top priorities will be to deliver pioneering technologies in cobots, oversee the installation of Rethink Robotics’ North American headquarters, and expand the team.

By the end of 2025, the company plans to triple its team size, open a U.S. headquarters and relocate robot production from Europe to the United States.

Originally founded in 2008, Rethink Robotics received international recognition with its collaborative robots named Baxter and Sawyer. The newly introduced product line now includes collaborative robots in payloads ranging from 7 to 30 kg, two autonomous mobile robots (AMR) and a mobile manipulator (MMR) platform. The robots are designed for increased precision, speed and reliability, which Rethink said makes them highly capable for industrial applications.

As CEO, Riemenschneider, M.Sc., is responsible for managing all customer-facing related departments, including marketing, sales, business development, product development and application engineering. Riemenschneider brings more than 10 years of business development experience in industrial automation. Before Rethink Robotics, Riemenschneider worked for United Robotics Group in Europe and the U.S., growing the business development organization. Previously, she worked in the U.S. for an international sensor manufacturer, following Europe-based business development roles with a machine vision manufacturer, and collaborative robot market vendor Universal Robots.

“There is huge opportunity for our products in the North American manufacturing market, and we are excited to be working on our first installations as we grow our network of partners, distributors and integrators,” Riemenschneider said. “I am honored to be in the position to lead a team that will challenge the status quo, help manufacturers solve challenges through automation, and empower our business partners for sustainable growth.”

Franziska Lorenz, previously responsible for corporate development and compliance at HAHN Automation Group, United Robotics Group and Schenck Process Group, holds a master's degree in international business administration.

She brings extensive international experience from her studies and professional work in Italy, Spain and Mexico. Recently, Lorenz spent 18 months at Robotnik, a manufacturer of in- and outdoor mobile robots in Valencia, Spain, successfully managing their integration into the group.

“With Rethink Robotics being based in the U.S., we are excited to create high-tech American jobs,” Lorenz said. “It is our goal to provide opportunities for motivated and experienced talents to rethink and employ collaborative robots to help solve today’s manufacturing challenges.”

Lorenz has managed numerous company acquisitions and has developed strategies and implemented organizational structures. In her new role as chief operations officer, Lorenz will be managing HR, finance, production and service and is looking forward to creating a diverse team as the foundation of success.

"As a newly U.S.-based company, Rethink Robotics is thrilled to contribute to the creation of high-tech American jobs,” said said Thomas Hähn, founder of HAHN Automation Group and United Robotics Group, and Rethink Robotics’ president. “Our mission is to offer opportunities for skilled and driven professionals to innovate with collaborative robots, addressing the challenges faced by modern manufacturing. The new Rethink Robotics leadership team brings significant industry knowledge and strong business acumen. With Riemenschneider and Lorenz in these leadership roles, we are well-positioned to execute this fast growth phase as a leading robotics provider.”