Automated Industrial Robotics

What Automated Industrial Robotics does

Automated Industrial Robotics, Inc. (AIR) is a private industrial automation platform company founded in August 2023 and headquartered in Rochester Hills, Michigan. The company designs, engineers, builds, and commissions custom automated manufacturing systems — including assembly machines, robotics integration, machine vision, and automated packaging lines — for large manufacturers in four primary verticals: Life Sciences (pharma, medtech, combination products), Food & Beverage, Cosmetics & Personal Care, and Automotive. AIR is controlled by Ares Management Corporation's Private Equity Group, which provided the initial equity commitment at formation and has continued to fund subsequent acquisitions.

AIR operates an acquisition-led roll-up model, having completed six acquisitions in roughly 30 months: TA Systems and Modular Automation (foundational, 2024); Sewtec Automation (2024); Robotics & Drives (2024); Owens Design (2025); and KAON Automation (2026). The company retains acquired brand identities while consolidating engineering, sales, and back-office functions under a unified operating model. As of early 2026, AIR employs over 550 people across approximately 450,000 sq ft of manufacturing space in Rochester Hills MI, Fremont CA, Wakefield UK, and three Irish locations (Shannon, Mullingar, Sligo).

AIR's revenue model combines one-time turnkey custom automation system sales with recurring refurbishment, spare-parts, and ongoing optimization services delivered under multi-year embedded partnerships. Pricing is project-based and quote-driven with no public disclosure. Distribution is exclusively direct enterprise field sales, supported by industry event presence (Medical Technology Ireland, MD&M West) and thought-leadership content on workforce development and sustainability. The company is recognized for ESG commitments (EcoVadis Silver Medal, UN Global Compact, SBTi, ISO 14001) and won the 2025 Innovation in Manufacturing Award for its PACE pharmaceutical clinical packaging platform.

Name

Automated Industrial Robotics

Legal name

Automated Industrial Robotics, Inc.

Website

https://industrialrobotics.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2023

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

AIR is a private, Ares Management-backed industrial automation platform that designs and builds custom automated manufacturing systems — assembly machines, robotics integration, machine vision, and packaging lines — for Life Sciences, Food & Beverage, Cosmetics, and Automotive manufacturers across the US, Ireland, and UK.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Automation Systems

NAICS

Industrial Machinery Manufacturing (33324), Instruments and Related Products Manufacturing for Measuring, Displaying, and Controlling Industrial Process Variables (334513), Speed Changer, Industrial High-Speed Drive, and Gear Manufacturing (333612)

SIC

General Industrial Machinery & Equipment (3560), Electrical Industrial Apparatus (3620)

akta.pro primary industry

Factory Automation Cells & Integrated Systems (Assembly, Welding, Painting Lines) (IMAHAHAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Industrial Robotics & Cobots (IMAIAMAB), Industrial & Warehouse Robotics (HDAAAIAA), Industrial Controllers & Control Systems (PLCs, PACs, CNC Controllers) (IMAHAHAH)

Keywords

• Custom industrial automation
• Robotic assembly systems
• Pharmaceutical packaging automation
• Machine vision integration
• Manufacturing automation solutions

Headquarters

HQ city

Los Angeles

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Custom Automation Systems: Design, engineering, build and turnkey manufacturing of custom automation machines and systems for industrial manufacturers. Revenue generated through project-based engagements delivering bespoke automated manufacturing solutions.
2. Refurbishment and Services: Refurbishment services for older manufacturing machines, spare parts, ongoing support and optimization services for installed automation systems.
3. Sustained Partnership Engagements: Long-term embedded partnership model providing continuous optimization, engineering support, and value delivery over sustained engagement cycles.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Automated Industrial Robotics (AIR) designs, engineers, builds, and commissions custom industrial automation systems—including assembly machines, robotics integration, machine vision, and automated packaging solutions—for regulated manufacturers. The company operates through an acquisition-based model, combining premier automation businesses across the US, Ireland, and UK to deliver turnkey, GMP-compliant automation for Life Sciences, Food & Beverage, Cosmetics & Personal Care, and Automotive customers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• PACE (Pharmaceutical Acceleration in Clinical Excellence): A digitally-enabled automated GMP bottle packaging line for just-in-time clinical pharmaceutical packaging with modular system design enabling multi-compound production without cross-contamination risk.

Products and services

• Custom Industrial Automation Systems
• PACE Platform (Pharmaceutical Acceleration in Clinical Excellence)
• Robotics Integration Solutions
• Beverage Packaging Automation
• Life Sciences Manufacturing Automation
• Refurbishment, Spare Parts and Support Services

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 50% increase in automation inquiries over past twelve months
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• KAON AutomationcoreOthers · 9 January 2026Ireland-based industrial automation company specializing in advanced solutions for medical and life sciences manufacturers. Founded in 2005 with ~45 team members in Sligo facility (25,000 sq ft). Expertise in precision assembly, aseptic high-speed filling, end-of-line automation, and zero-touch change-over systems.
• Owens DesigncoreOthers · 19 August 2025Fremont, California-based industrial automation company acquired in August 2025. Since 1983, has developed custom solutions for high-tech industries including semiconductors, medical products, renewable energy, emerging technologies, and data storage. 40+ years of experience with 100+ team members.
• Robotics & Drives (RDS)coreOthers · 7 October 2024Ireland-based industrial automation company acquired in October 2024. Founded in 2005 by Ken McNevin, Stephen Nolan, and Sharon McNevin. One of the largest robotics solutions providers in Ireland with ~50 team members operating from 32,000 sq ft facility in Mullingar. Serves CPG, food and beverage, medical devices, personal care, pharmaceutical sectors.
• Sewtec AutomationcoreOthers · 21 August 2024UK-based industrial automation company acquired in August 2024. Founded in 1983 with 170+ team members operating from 75,000 sq ft facility. Serves pharmaceutical, medical devices, food and beverage, personal care, pet care, and e-commerce sectors. Has invented over 7,000 industrial automation systems.
• Totally Automated Systems (TA Systems)coreOthers · 1 August 2023Detroit-based TA Systems was one of the two foundational companies acquired at AIR's formation in August 2023. Has over 45 years of expertise specializing in designing and manufacturing fully integrated and stand-alone assembly machines for automotive and other industries.
• Modular AutomationcoreOthers · 1 August 2023Shannon, Ireland-based company acquired as foundational asset at AIR's formation in August 2023. Almost 40 years of automation success with primary focus on serving the Med Tech industry. 150+ professionals delivering automated solutions for medical device customers.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• ATS Corporation: Canadian-listed custom industrial automation roll-up platform serving Life Sciences, Food & Beverage, and industrial customers. Directly comparable to AIR as a multi-vertical automation integrator; notably, AIR CEO Darragh de Stondún previously held a global key account management role at ATS.
• BBS Automation: Germany-headquartered custom automation specialist focused on Life Sciences, automotive, and industrial customers. Co-founded by AIR CEO Darragh de Stondún, making it the closest precedent in business model and customer mix.

Broad incumbents

• Syntegon Technology: Major global incumbent in pharmaceutical and food packaging automation (formerly Bosch Packaging Technology). Overlaps directly with AIR's PACE platform and Sewtec's pharma packaging business.
• Krones AG: German-listed global leader in beverage and food packaging/process automation. Comparable to AIR's Food & Beverage packaging automation franchise and Sewtec's secondary packaging solutions.
• ProMach: US-based PE-backed diversified packaging and processing machinery roll-up. Operates a similar buy-and-build playbook to AIR across F&B, pharma, and consumer goods, making it a direct strategic analog.
• Tetra Pak: Global F&B packaging and processing automation giant. Comparable in scale, end-market overlap, and regulatory-driven product roadmap, particularly with AIR's Wakefield-based F&B packaging capabilities.
• FANUC Corporation: Japanese industrial robotics and CNC controls incumbent. Robotics is a core component of AIR's integrated automation solutions (per Robotics & Drives acquisition), making FANUC a key upstream supplier and competitor for robotics-integrated systems.
• ABB Ltd. Swiss-Swedish global industrial automation and robotics incumbent. Competes with AIR across factory automation, robotics integration, and motion control — and supplies core components used in AIR's systems.
• KUKA AG: German industrial robotics and automation systems provider (Midea-owned). Directly comparable to AIR's robotics integration business inherited from RDS, with overlap in automotive and industrial automation.
• Stäubli Robotics: Swiss industrial robotics, textile, and connector specialist. Stäubli's robotics division competes directly with AIR's robotics integration capabilities and serves many of the same Life Sciences and industrial customers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/about

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Subsidiaries6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A4 records

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Automated Industrial Robotics