Exotec

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).

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

Headquarters

HQ city

Wasquehal

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core 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

Named customers29 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration11 records

AI capability5 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and flagship.

• ConveycocoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 April 2026Conveyco 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)minorOthers · 1 March 2026Slättö, 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 SwitzerlandminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 February 2026Miebach 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 SystemcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 February 2026IHI 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 GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2025Exotec 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.
• GraingerflagshipTechnology or Integration · 1 February 2025Grainger 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.
• BlueStarcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 December 2024BlueStar 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 SolutionscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 August 2024Bastian 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 IntralogisticscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2021Hy-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

Direct 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

• Xx.com/exotec
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/exotec
• Facebookfacebook.com/264898154280102

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds5 records

Investors7 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Exotec