HAHN Group, the German automation firm that in October 2018 acquired the assets of Rethink Robotics, has acquired REI Automation, a South Carolina-based industrial automation integrator. REI Automation, which focuses heavily on the medical, electronics and consumer goods industries, will complement HAHN Group’s Assembly & Test Division.

Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed, but the deal took effect on November 1. HAHN Group said the acquisition “adds a hub in the important industrial area of the Southeast and strengthens its regional coverage in the United States.”

“We found a passionate team with an impressive track record building the company in the past and ambitious plans to develop it further,” said Philipp Unterhalt, Managing Director of HAHN Group. “We are ready to support REI Automation on its further journey and are delighted to have them on board.” 

REI Automation, which has 80 employees and $25 million in revenue since 2015, will continue to operate under existing management.

“We are excited to begin planning with a partner who has all the experience in bringing a company to the next level,” said Grant Phillips, CEO of REI Automation. “For REI Automation and its clients, the transaction is a very important step into a reliable and sustainable future.”

Rethink Robotics GmbH, a divison of the HAHN Group, recently introduced the Sawyer Black Edition collaborative robot, which is an updated version of the famous Sawyer cobot. Sawyer Black Edition has the same maximum reach of 1,260mm (49.6 in.), a payload of 4kg (8.8 lb.), and seven degrees of freedom as its predecessor. Its first three joints have the same range of 350 degrees, with Joints 4 and 5 limited to 340 degrees. Joint 6 still has 540 degrees.

However, Rethink Robotics GmbH said it addressed some of Sawyer’s design challenges by using “higher-quality” components, making it “significantly” more reliable, more durable, and quieter. Sawyer Black Edition was designed for processes such as assembly, loading and unloading, circuit board testing, metal fabrication, injection molding, and packaging.