Exotec
Exotec is a French warehouse automation OEM and integrator selling the Skypod 3D robotic AS/RS and Deepsky orchestration software to enterprise retailers, grocers, 3PLs, industrial, and healthcare customers worldwide.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2015
- HeadquartersPont-du-château, France
- Headcount1,001–5,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Exotec does
Exotec SAS is a French warehouse automation company founded in 2015 in Lille, France. It designs, manufactures, and integrates the Skypod system — an autonomous 3D mobile Automated Storage and Retrieval System (AS/RS) in which robots traverse the floor and climb vertical rack rails up to 14 meters to retrieve bins and deliver them to ergonomic picking stations under a goods-to-person model. The platform is orchestrated by Deepsky, Exotec's proprietary Warehouse Execution System (WES), which connects to customer Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) and Warehouse Control Systems (WCS) via Webservices, RESTful APIs, and nodeRed to manage Skypod robots, conveyors, and third-party equipment under a single software layer.
Exotec serves enterprise customers across six verticals — retail and apparel, grocery, aftermarket parts/industrial, healthcare, third-party logistics (3PL), and general merchandise — selling integrated systems priced in the $10 million to over $50 million range per project (e.g., Stadium in Sweden at approximately SEK 300M / ~$32M; Oxford Industries' 450+ robot Lyon, Georgia deployment). The company operates an OEM-and-integrator model, combining direct enterprise sales with system-integrator partnerships (Bastian Solutions, Conveyco, Hy-Tek, Miebach, BlueStar, IHI), and commercialized the Next-Gen Skypod system in February 2025, adding integrated buffer, perfect outbound sequencing, and pick-and-pack capabilities alongside existing each-picking. Recurring revenue streams include Deepsky software updates and 24/7/365 remote monitoring via global control centers in North America, Europe, and APAC, supplemented by project-based hardware, integration, and support services.
The company reports more than 200 customer sites globally, over 50 brand customers, and 10,000+ Skypod robots deployed, with disclosed cumulative revenue exceeding $1 billion in 2024. As of early 2026, offices are maintained in France (Wasquehal/Lille HQ), the United States (Atlanta), Germany (Munich), Japan (Tokyo), South Korea (Seoul), and the United Kingdom (Solihull). Investors include Goldman Sachs Asset Management (lead, Series D), 83North, Dell Technologies Capital, Bpifrance, BREEGA, 360 Capital, and IRIS, with a Series D valuation of $2 billion (January 2022).
Exotec firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Exotec
- Legal name
- Exotec SAS
- Website
- https://exotec.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2015
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1,001–5,000 employees
- Short description
- Exotec is a French warehouse automation OEM and integrator selling the Skypod 3D robotic AS/RS and Deepsky orchestration software to enterprise retailers, grocers, 3PLs, industrial, and healthcare customers worldwide.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Exotec industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Warehouse Robotics & Automation
- NAICS
- Industrial Truck, Tractor, Trailer, and Stacker Machinery Manufacturing (333924)
- SIC
- Industrial Trucks, Tractors, Trailors & Stackers (3537), Misc Industrial & Commercial Machinery & Equipment (3590)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Warehouse Automation Systems (AS/RS, Shuttle Systems, Vertical Lift Modules) (IMAHABAK)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Warehouse & Intralogistics Automation Systems (AS/RS, Sortation, Conveyance Controls) (IMAHAHAN), Industrial & Warehouse Robotics (HDAAAIAA), Automated / Robotics-Enabled Fulfillment Centers (AS/RS, AMRs, Goods-to-Person) (TLALADAL)
Keywords
Where Exotec is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Pont-du-château
- HQ country
- France
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices6 records
Markets served
Exotec business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Warehouse Automation Systems (Hardware + Software): Sale of integrated Skypod AS/RS systems including robots, storage racks, workstations, conveyors, and Deepsky WES software. Systems are custom-designed per customer site, with revenue tied to system size (robot count, storage capacity, throughput). Exotec acts as OEM and integrator.
- Warehouse Execution Software (Deepsky): Deepsky WES is included as part of the integrated system offering. Provides real-time orchestration, 24/7 monitoring, continuous optimization, and updates post go-live.
- System Integration Services: End-to-end integration of Skypod with third-party equipment (conveyors, depalletizers, sorters, packing systems) at customer sites. Part of the overall project delivery.
- Maintenance and Support: Ongoing maintenance, remote monitoring, and support services. Exotec operates global control centers in North America, Europe, and APAC providing 24/7/365 oversight.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Enterprise Automation Projects — Project-based pricing |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Next-Gen Skypod System — commercial launch February 2025 |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Rental options available |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels8 records
Exotec product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Exotec designs, manufactures, and integrates the Skypod Automated Storage and Retrieval System (AS/RS), comprising 3D autonomous mobile robots that climb vertical storage racks up to 14 meters and deliver bins to ergonomic picking stations. The system is orchestrated by Deepsky, Exotec's proprietary Warehouse Execution System (WES) software, which connects customer WMS to all hardware under one unified layer. Exotec sells these integrated warehouse automation systems as project-based deployments to enterprise customers in retail, grocery, 3PL, industrial, and healthcare sectors.
Product overview
Exotec is an end-to-end warehouse automation integrator and technology manufacturer (OEM) delivering robotic solutions for modern fulfillment operations. The core product is the Skypod System — a goods-to-person Automated Storage and Retrieval System (AS/RS) comprising 3D autonomous mobile robots that climb vertical storage racks up to 14 meters, delivering bins to ergonomic picking stations. The system is orchestrated by Deepsky, Exotec's proprietary Warehouse Execution System (WES) software, which serves as a single orchestration layer connecting the customer's WMS to all hardware. The Next Gen Skypod (launched February 2025) adds integrated buffer, perfect outbound sequencing, and pick-and-pack functions, supporting both each and case picking within one solution. Beyond the Skypod core, Exotec integrates complementary automation equipment (conveyors, depalletizers, RFID tunnels, right-size packaging) and offers the Skyfleet multi-site program for standardizing automation across multiple facilities. Key supporting services include 24/7/365 global control center monitoring, MMBO/MMBI KPI tracking, and predictive maintenance analytics.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Skypod System Automated Storage and Retrieval System (AS/RS) using autonomous 3D mobile robots to store goods in high-density racks and deliver them to ergonomic picking stations; combines picking, packing, buffering, sorting, and sequencing in one solution for enterprise warehouses.
- Next Gen Skypod System All-in-one next-generation Skypod AS/RS handling both each-picking and case-picking in a single system, with integrated buffer, perfect outbound sequencing, and pick-and-pack; delivers 50% throughput improvement and 30% greater storage density over the previous generation.
- Deepsky Warehouse Execution System (WES)
Quantifiable outcome
- Doubled throughput (57,000 to 114,000 orders/day) at Decathlon Setúbal site; doubled order output
- +12 more outcomes
Companies that use Exotec
Customer profileNamed customers29 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Exotec technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration11 records
AI capability5 records
Feature7 records
Exotec partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and flagship.
- ConveycocoreConveyco integrated the Exotec Skypod system at Lane Automotive's distribution center in Watervliet, Michigan. The deployment delivered a 600% throughput increase and reduced order processing time from 109 minutes to 15 minutes.
- Slättö (Evolv platform)minorSlättö, through its Evolv logistics platform, is building a 40,800 sqm automated logistics facility in Norrköping, Sweden pre-let to Stadium. Slättö is developing the facility while Exotec provides the warehouse automation system. Project targeting BREEAM Excellent certification and EPC A rating.
- Miebach Consulting SwitzerlandminorMiebach Consulting Switzerland supported the implementation of the Dosenbach-Ochsner Exotec Skypod installation at the Luterbach warehouse in Switzerland, providing consulting and project management services.
- IHI Logistics Industry SystemcoreIHI Logistics Industry System partnered with Exotec to implement the Skypod system at Suzuyo Higashi-Ogishima No. 1 Logistics Center in Japan. IHI provides rapid local support alongside Exotec's 24/7 remote monitoring capabilities. This is Exotec's first deployment in Japan.
- E80 GroupcoreExotec and E80 Group formed a strategic partnership to streamline end-to-end warehouse automation for CPG and grocery industries. The partnership combines Exotec's Skypod AS/RS with E80 Group's automation equipment (conveyors, sorters, packers) to offer integrated solutions targeting consumer packaged goods and grocery sector customers.
- GraingerflagshipGrainger selected Exotec's Next Generation Skypod system as part of its automation strategy, representing one of the early commercial deployments of the next-gen platform totaling approximately $400M in combined project value for multiple customers including Oxford Industries and Grainger.
- BlueStarcoreBlueStar partnered with Exotec to launch and distribute Exotec's warehouse robotics solutions, specifically targeting distribution of Skypod systems through BlueStar's established integrator and reseller network.
- Bastian SolutionscoreBastian Solutions served as the integrator for Amer Sports' automated distribution center in Belleville, Ontario, Canada, integrating Exotec's Skypod system with automated right-sized packaging (CMC) and conveyor systems.
- Hy-Tek IntralogisticscoreHy-Tek Intralogistics served as the system integrator for Ariat's Fort Worth, Texas facility, integrating Exotec's Skypod system as part of Ariat's one million square foot distribution center.
Scale indicators14 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Exotec competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- AutoStore: Public Norwegian company (ticker AUTO.OL) and the closest direct competitor to Exotec in goods-to-person AS/RS. AutoStore pioneered cube-based storage with robots operating on top of stacked bins — a different architectural approach to Exotec's rack-climbing Skypod, but serving identical retail, grocery, and 3PL customers with similar throughput and density claims.
- Symbotic: US-listed warehouse robotics integrator (ticker SYM) backed by Walmart and SoftBank. Symbotic focuses on full-stack automated fulfillment systems for large retailers and grocers — overlapping directly with Exotec's enterprise customer base, although typically at much larger pallet-level scales than Exotec's bin-level Skypod.
- Geek+: Chinese-headquartered global AMR and goods-to-person robotics vendor, SoftBank-backed. Geek+ competes head-to-head with Exotec in retail, 3PL, and grocery fulfillment worldwide, particularly aggressive in Asia-Pacific and Europe with mobile robot fleets — similar product/market but typically lower price points.
- Ocado Group: UK-listed online grocery technology provider (ticker OCDO) whose Ocado Smart Platform sells automated warehouse systems to grocers globally. Ocado is a direct competitor in grocery micro-fulfillment and full-CFC automation — overlapping with Exotec's E.Leclerc, Carrefour, and Auchan deployments.
- HAI Robotics: China-based goods-to-person AS/RS vendor with case-picking and tote-handling robots competing in the same bin-level automation category as Exotec. HAI has expanded into Europe and North America, positioning itself as a direct rival with comparable throughput and storage-density claims.
Emerging players
- Locus Robotics: US-based AMR vendor specializing in collaborative picking robots for warehouse fulfillment, deployed at large 3PLs and retailers. Locus complements rather than fully substitutes for AS/RS but addresses the same picking-labor pain point with a different (human-robot collaborative) model — overlapping customer base and use cases.
Broad incumbents
- Swisslog (KUKA / Midea): Subsidiary of KUKA (owned by Midea), Swisslog is a long-established warehouse automation integrator offering AS/RS, conveyors, and software for retail, grocery, and pharma. Exotec competes with Swisslog on integrated warehouse projects where Swisslog's broader portfolio contrasts with Exotec's Skypod-centric focus.
- Dematic (KION Group): Global warehouse automation integrator owned by KION Group, offering AS/RS, AMRs, conveyors, and WMS-adjacent software. Dematic is a much larger and broader incumbent serving the same enterprise retail and 3PL customers as Exotec, with a more diversified portfolio.
- Knapp AG: Austrian family-owned logistics automation specialist and established integrator of shuttle-based AS/RS, pocket sorters, and goods-to-person systems, particularly strong in pharmaceutical and retail. Knapp is a direct competitor in bin-level AS/RS projects where Exotec pitches its Skypod system.
Regional players
- Murata Machinery (Muratec): Japan-based material handling equipment manufacturer with extensive AS/RS and automated warehouse installations across APAC, particularly Japan. Murata competes with Exotec where Japanese retailers and 3PLs evaluate bin-level automation, though its primary footprint is Asia and it has less European/North American share.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Exotec social profiles
Digital presenceExotec compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Exotec financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Exotec leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
Exotec funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds5 records
Investors7 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Exotec M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Exotec
What does Exotec do?
Exotec designs, manufactures, and integrates the Skypod Automated Storage and Retrieval System (AS/RS), comprising 3D autonomous mobile robots that climb vertical storage racks up to 14 meters and deliver bins to ergonomic picking stations. The system is orchestrated by Deepsky, Exotec's proprietary Warehouse Execution System (WES) software, which connects customer WMS to all hardware under one unified layer. Exotec sells these integrated warehouse automation systems as project-based deployments to enterprise customers in retail, grocery, 3PL, industrial, and healthcare sectors.
Is Exotec a public or private company?
Exotec is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Exotec founded?
Exotec was founded in 2015. It employs 1,001 to 5,000 people.
Where is Exotec based?
Exotec is headquartered in Pont-du-château, France, in the Europe region.
How does Exotec make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Warehouse Automation Systems (Hardware + Software) is the primary driver. The others are warehouse Execution Software (Deepsky), system Integration Services and maintenance and Support.
Who are Exotec's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are AutoStore, Symbotic, Geek+, Ocado Group and HAI Robotics. Locus Robotics is listed as an emerging player. Broad incumbents are Swisslog (KUKA / Midea), Dematic (KION Group) and Knapp AG. Murata Machinery (Muratec) is listed as a regional player.
Does Exotec have an API?
No public API is recorded for Exotec.
What industry is Exotec in?
Exotec's product category is Warehouse Robotics & Automation. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAHABAK, Warehouse Automation Systems (AS/RS, Shuttle Systems, Vertical Lift Modules), with a secondary code of IMAHAHAN, Warehouse & Intralogistics Automation Systems (AS/RS, Sortation, Conveyance Controls). Its NAICS code is 333924 and its SIC code is 3537.