Amazon announced the acquisition of Cloostermans, a Belgian company that manufactures warehouse technology, on Friday. The deal’s terms were not disclosed.
Amazon began working with Cloostermans in 2019, using its technology to help move and stack heavy pallets and goods, as well as package products for delivery.
Cloostermans will join Amazon Robotics, the company’s division devoted to automating aspects of its warehouse operations. The unit was formed a decade ago after Amazon paid $775 million for Kiva Systems, a warehouse robot manufacturer.
Amazon continues to introduce new warehouse machines. In June, the company unveiled Proteus, its first fully autonomous mobile robot, as a package ferrying machine. Other robots that can sort and move packages have also been deployed.
ALSO READ: Digital World Acquisition Corp has asked its shareholders to postpone the merger with Trump Media.
Amazon’s vice president of Global Robotics, Ian Simpson, stated in a blog post that the company is investing in robotics and other technology to make its warehouses safer for employees.
“We look forward to welcoming Cloostermans to Amazon and are excited to see what we can build together as we continue to broaden and accelerate the robotics and technology we design, engineer, and deploy across our operations,” Simpson said.
The possibility of warehouse robotics improving safety has been discussed. According to a Center for Investigative Reporting investigation, Amazon’s warehouses with robots have higher injury rates than facilities without automation.
Cloostermans was founded in 1884 as a textile repair shop and later expanded to build industrial machines. Cloostermans’ team of approximately 200 employees will join Amazon Robotics as a result of the acquisition, according to Amazon.
