Automha manufactures a variety of warehouse automation equipment. | Credit: Automha
Italian robotics manufacturer Comau has announced a binding agreement to acquire Automha, an Italian company specializing in warehousing and intralogistics automation. Automha is currently owned by Trasma. The acquisition signals a significant move for Comau into the growing logistics sector and reinforces its commitment to its Italian roots.
Comau expects to close the transaction in the second quarter of 2025, but it is subject to customary regulatory approvals. Under the terms of the agreement, the company will acquire 100% of Automha’s shares. This strategic acquisition is expected to unlock new avenues for growth within the expanding warehousing and logistics market, further solidifying the creation of an Italian industrial automation hub poised for innovation and global competitiveness.
“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.”
Comau has emphasized that Automha will maintain its current operational structure, management team, and strategic direction, underscoring a commitment to its people, quality, and innovation. Franco Togni will continue to serve as the company‘s CEO. Additionally, Gianni Togni and Roberta Togni will retain their current roles and will also join Comau’s Executive Committee, contributing their expertise to the future development of both entities.
“In Comau, we have found a partner who shares our values of quality, innovation, and commitment to customer success,” added Togni. “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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This acquisition aligns with Comau’s broader strategic vision following a recent shift in its shareholder structure, which saw One Equity Partners, an international private equity firm, acquire a majority stake, enabling Comau to operate as a standalone company. The move to acquire Automha underscores Comau’s dedication to strengthening its Italian operations and enhancing its global offerings and international presence.
For Automha, the acquisition presents an opportunity for scale-up and further business development by leveraging Comau’s extensive geographical reach and internal technological capabilities. The complementary nature of both companies is expected to foster a stronger mutual portfolio of projects, creating synergistic benefits for both organizations. This strategic alignment positions the combined entity for enhanced innovation and a more competitive stance in the global automation landscape.
“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.”
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