RARUK Automation
RARUK Automation is a UK-based industrial automation distributor and the country's only Universal Robots Platinum Partner, supplying collaborative robots, AMRs, end-of-arm tooling and Physical AI vision systems to manufacturers across automotive, electronics, aerospace and defence, food, logistics and lab automation.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2016
- HeadquartersShefford, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What RARUK Automation does
RARUK Automation Ltd is a privately held UK industrial automation distributor headquartered in Shefford, Bedfordshire, operating as a dedicated automation company within the R.A. Rodriguez group. The company is the UK's only Universal Robots Platinum Partner and self-describes as the UK's leading supplier of collaborative robots, distributing the full UR e-Series and UR Series 6-axis cobot range (payloads 3–35kg, reaches up to 1750mm), complemented by Robotiq end-of-arm tooling (electric and vacuum grippers, wrist cameras, force/torque sensors, screwdriving, palletising), Mobile Industrial Robots (MiR) autonomous mobile robots, Enabled Robotics ER-FLEX mobile cobots, Shibaura Machine SCARA robots, IEF-Werner linear and servo press systems, FlexiBowl feeding systems, and Cambrian/Inbolt AI vision for bin picking and real-time guidance.
The business monetises primarily through hardware resale (cobots, AMRs, grippers, feeding and automation equipment), professional services including UR-certified Core and Advanced training at its Shefford academy, system integration either directly or via a referral network of Universal Robots Certified Systems Integrators (e.g., Labman Automation, VIKASO), and recurring revenue from UR Care Premium warranty plans and MiR Finance subscription-style payment plans (0% interest, 3-month deferral, 33 monthly payments). Revenue is supplemented by new categories such as Physical AI (AI vision + AI software + Robotiq TSF-85 tactile sensor fingertips) and the UR AI Accelerator (NVIDIA Jetson Orin).
RARUK serves UK manufacturers across automotive (Ford Dagenham, BWI Group, FORVIA, Real Digital International), electronics (Invertek Drives, Panorama Antennas), food and dairy (Ornua), aerospace and defence (BAE Systems 'Factory of the Future' / Tempest programme), logistics (ICM A/S), medical/lab automation (Labman) and general manufacturing (EMS, Oakmount, PCS Instruments, IEF-Werner spring manufacturer). Distribution combines direct enterprise field sales, an e-commerce-enabled website (rarukautomation.com), and a channel of certified systems integrators; demand generation is built on demo events at Shefford, industry exhibitions (e.g., National Nuclear Manufacturing Conference 2026 at MTC Coventry), webinars, the Cobots UK blog, and an extensive case-study library. Certification posture includes ISO 9001 (NQA, 2026) and Cyber Essentials (2026/2027), and the company holds the 2024 Robotiq Expert Partner award.
RARUK Automation firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- RARUK Automation
- Legal name
- RARUK Automation Ltd
- Website
- https://rarukautomation.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2016
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- RARUK Automation is a UK-based industrial automation distributor and the country's only Universal Robots Platinum Partner, supplying collaborative robots, AMRs, end-of-arm tooling and Physical AI vision systems to manufacturers across automotive, electronics, aerospace and defence, food, logistics and lab automation.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
RARUK Automation industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Industrial Robotics Distribution
- NAICS
- Machinery Manufacturing (333), Other General Purpose Machinery Manufacturing (3339), Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance (811210)
- SIC
- Wholesale-Industrial Machinery & Equipment (5084), General Industrial Machinery & Equipment (3560), General Industrial Machinery & Equipment, Nec (3569)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Collaborative Robots (Cobots) (IMAHAHAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Industrial & Warehouse Robotics (HDAAAIAA), Industrial Robotics & Cobots (IMAIAMAB), Industrial Robots (Articulated, SCARA, Delta, Cartesian) (IMAHAHAA), Robot Hardware, Actuators & Components (sensors, grippers, motors) (HDAAAIAL), Motion & Machine Control (CNC, Robotics Controllers, Servo/Motion Controllers) (IMAGABAG)
Keywords
Where RARUK Automation is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Shefford
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
RARUK Automation business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Hardware Sales - Collaborative Robots: Sale of Universal Robots collaborative robot arms (e-Series and UR Series), representing the core product line and primary revenue stream. Robots are sold as standalone units, bundled with end-of-arm tooling, or as complete application solutions.
- Hardware Sales - End-of-Arm Tooling & Accessories: Sale of complementary products including Robotiq electric and vacuum grippers, Robotiq Wrist Camera, Force Torque Sensors, screwdriving solutions, palletising solutions, AMRs, feeding systems, linear motion systems, and UR+ accessories.
- Professional Services - Training: Fully certified Universal Robots Core and Advanced training hosted at the authorised UR Training Academy in Shefford, Bedfordshire. Also provides educational discounts on Universal Robots and accessories for academic institutions.
- System Integration & Application Development: Turnkey automated systems, feasibility studies, simulations, and application development services. Provided directly or through referral to certified systems integrators for complex deployments.
- Extended Warranty & Service Plans: UR Care Premium and Warranty Extension plans providing 24/7 technical support, spare parts, repairs, loan robots during repair, and additional 12-month manufacturer warranty.
- Financing Solutions: MiR Finance offering 0% interest, 3-month deferred payment, and 33 monthly payment options for MiR autonomous mobile robots, providing flexible payment plans to reduce upfront capital investment.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | MiR Finance - 0% Interest Financing |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels9 records
RARUK Automation product offering
Product offeringCore offering
RARUK Automation distributes and integrates collaborative robots, autonomous mobile robots, industrial robots, feeding systems, and complementary automation products in the UK. The company serves as Universal Robots' sole UK Platinum Partner, supplying cobots alongside Robotiq grippers, MiR AMRs, Shibaura SCARA robots, IEF-Werner linear systems, AI vision, and palletising solutions to manufacturers across automotive, electronics, food, aerospace, and laboratory automation sectors.
Product overview
RARUK Automation is a distributor of robotics and automation solutions, serving as the UK's leading supplier of Universal Robots collaborative robots and the UK's only Platinum Partner for Universal Robots. The company offers a comprehensive portfolio built around UR cobots (e-Series: UR3e, UR7e, UR12e, UR16e; UR Series: UR8 Long, UR15, UR18, UR20, UR30) complemented by a wide range of add-on modules and solutions. Key product categories include Robotiq end-effectors (electric grippers, vacuum grippers, palletising solutions, screwdriving), autonomous mobile robots (MiR fleet), mobile cobots (ER-FLEX from Enabled Robotics), feeding systems (FlexiBowl), industrial robots (Toshiba Machine, Shibaura SCARA), automation equipment (IEF-Werner linear systems, aiPRESS servo presses), and Physical AI technologies. The company also provides application-specific solutions for machine tending, palletising, pick and place, welding, quality testing, and warehouse logistics, along with training services and UR Care warranty programs.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Universal Robots 6-Axis Collaborative Robots 6-axis collaborative robot arms from Universal Robots, payloads 3kg to 35kg and reaches 500mm to 1750mm, supplied to manufacturers for safe human-robot collaboration across production tasks.
- Industrial Robots Industrial robots including TM 6-axis robots from Toshiba Machine, Shibaura SCARA robots (THL600, THP700), and Cartesian systems supplied for high-speed production automation.
- Mobile Industrial Robots (MiR) Autonomous Mobile Robots Autonomous Mobile Robots including MiR100, MiR250, MiR500, MiR600, MiR1000, and MiR1200 Pallet Jack for intralogistics, pallet transport, and material handling in warehouses and factories.
- ER-FLEX Mobile Cobot Mobile cobots combining MiR AMR bases with Universal Robots arms for flexible mobile automation in machine tending, material handling, and warehouse operations. ER-FLEX MC250 and ER-MAX MC600 models.
- Feeding Systems Parts feeding solutions including FlexiBowl flexible feeders, bowl feeders, and spring disentangling systems compatible with any robot and vision system, handling parts 1-250mm and up to 250g.
- Automation Equipment Precision linear systems (domiLINE), tray palletisers, manual slides, servo presses (aiPRESS), and warehouse storage solutions from IEF-Werner for production and testing automation.
- UR Care & Extended Warranty Extended warranty and premium support plans for Universal Robots cobots providing 24/7 technical support, spare parts, repairs, loan robots during repair, and additional 12-month manufacturer warranty.
- UR Training Academy Fully certified Universal Robots Core and Advanced training courses hosted at the authorised UR Training Academy in Shefford, Bedfordshire, with educational discounts for academic institutions.
Quantifiable outcome
- Typical payback period of 1 year for UR cobots
- +6 more outcomes
Companies that use RARUK Automation
Customer profileNamed customers14 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
RARUK Automation technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability6 records
Feature8 records
RARUK Automation partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.
- Cambrian RoboticscoreRARUK Automation has partnered with Cambrian Robotics, which has expanded into North America with a new office in Michigan. Cambrian Robotics provides AI-powered 3D vision technology for robotics and automation, including AI vision systems offered through RARUK Automation for robust bin picking and real-time adaptation on moving production lines.
- Universal RobotsflagshipRARUK Automation is the UK's only Platinum Partner for Universal Robots, the world's most widely-deployed collaborative robot manufacturer. This is the core partnership powering RARUK's primary product line of 6-axis cobots across e-Series and UR Series models.
- RobotiqflagshipRARUK Automation is the only UK robotics company offering the full range of plug and play Robotiq Grippers and vision systems, and is a proud recipient of the 2024 Robotiq Expert Partner award. Products include electric grippers, vacuum grippers, wrist cameras, force torque sensors, screwdriving solutions, and palletising solutions.
- Labman AutomationcoreLabman Automation is the UK's only certified systems integrator (CSI) for Universal Robots in the lab automation space. RARUK Automation supplies Labman with UR3e and UR7e cobots for lab automation applications including MultiDose solid dosing and Collaborative Formulator systems.
- Mobile Industrial Robots (MiR)coreRARUK Automation distributes MiR autonomous mobile robots including MiR100, MiR250, MiR500, MiR600, MiR1000, and MiR1200 Pallet Jack. MiR Fleet management software coordinates AMR fleets for intralogistics operations.
- Enabled RoboticscoreRARUK Automation is the UK distributor for Enabled Robotics' ER-FLEX Mobile Cobot range, combining MiR AMR bases with Universal Robots cobot arms for flexible mobile automation solutions including ER-FLEX MC250 and ER-MAX MC600.
- Shibaura MachinecoreRARUK Automation supplies Shibaura Machine SCARA robots (THL600, THP700) and provides simulation software to evaluate optimum cycle times. SCARA robots are used alongside FlexiBowl feeding systems for pick and place applications.
- IEF-Werner GmbHcoreSolutions from IEF-Werner including aiPRESS servo press systems and domiLINE linear motion systems are available in the UK from RARUK Automation as value-added reseller. Products are used in automated testing, linear motion, and production automation applications.
- VIKASOcoreVIKASO is a Universal Robots Certified Systems Integrator (CSI) and frequent integration partner of RARUK Automation. RARUK introduces customers to VIKASO for turnkey robotic solutions, as demonstrated in the Panorama Antennas screwdriving automation project.
- Automate UKminorRARUK Automation is a member of Automate UK, the trade association representing the automation industry in the UK.
- SMMTminorRARUK Automation is a member of SMMT (Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders), the UK automotive industry's trade association.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
RARUK Automation competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- ABB Robotics: Global industrial robot OEM with a major UK presence selling articulated, SCARA and collaborative robot arms directly and through integrators. Comparable as a broader incumbent whose cobot range competes with RARUK's UR portfolio.
- FANUC UK: UK arm of major Japanese robot OEM with CRX collaborative robots, SCARAs and industrial robots. Comparable as a broader incumbent with a growing cobot line competing for the same UK customer base.
- Yaskawa UK: UK arm of Yaskawa, a major robot and motion control OEM with Motoman cobot and industrial robot ranges. Comparable as a broader incumbent offering overlapping cobot and motion control solutions to UK manufacturers.
- KUKA Robotics UK: UK arm of a major German robot OEM offering industrial and collaborative robots plus system integration. Comparable as a broader incumbent competing for the same UK manufacturing and automotive accounts.
Direct peers
- Olympus Technologies: UK automation integrator offering robotic palletising, machine tending and end-of-line solutions, often built around UR cobots and similar OEM partners. Directly comparable UK competitor with overlapping customer base.
- TM Robotics: European distributor of Toshiba Machine (now Shibaura Machine) industrial and SCARA robots, and a current partner of RARUK Automation. Comparable European-focused industrial robot distributor with overlapping product lines.
- HAHN Group: German-based automation specialist and UR Certified Systems Integrator network member offering cobot integration, AMR solutions and industrial automation services across Europe. Highly comparable business model and customer profile.
- Pacepacker Services: UK-based automation integrator specialising in pick-and-place, palletising and end-of-line packaging solutions using cobots and industrial robots. Comparable as a UK-focused automation distributor/integrator serving manufacturers.
- Active8 Robots: Benelux-based Universal Robots distributor and integrator with a near-identical go-to-market to RARUK Automation. Directly comparable as another regional UR Platinum-tier partner offering cobots, AMRs and turnkey integration services.
Others
- R.A. Rodriguez (parent affiliate): Affiliated engineering and components business under the same RARUK/Rodriguez group. Comparable as the parent company relationship underpinning RARUK Automation and a related channel for automation components.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
RARUK Automation social profiles
Digital presenceRARUK Automation compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
RARUK Automation financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
RARUK Automation leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
RARUK Automation funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
RARUK Automation 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 RARUK Automation
What does RARUK Automation do?
RARUK Automation distributes and integrates collaborative robots, autonomous mobile robots, industrial robots, feeding systems, and complementary automation products in the UK. The company serves as Universal Robots' sole UK Platinum Partner, supplying cobots alongside Robotiq grippers, MiR AMRs, Shibaura SCARA robots, IEF-Werner linear systems, AI vision, and palletising solutions to manufacturers across automotive, electronics, food, aerospace, and laboratory automation sectors.
Is RARUK Automation a public or private company?
RARUK Automation is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was RARUK Automation founded?
RARUK Automation was founded in 2016. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is RARUK Automation based?
RARUK Automation is headquartered in Shefford, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does RARUK Automation make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Hardware Sales - Collaborative Robots are the primary driver. The others are hardware Sales - End-of-Arm Tooling & Accessories, professional Services - Training, system Integration & Application Development, extended Warranty & Service Plans and financing Solutions.
Who are RARUK Automation's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are ABB Robotics, FANUC UK, Yaskawa UK and KUKA Robotics UK. Direct peers are Olympus Technologies, TM Robotics, HAHN Group, Pacepacker Services and Active8 Robots. R.A. Rodriguez (parent affiliate) is listed as an others.
Does RARUK Automation have an API?
No public API is recorded for RARUK Automation.
What industry is RARUK Automation in?
RARUK Automation's product category is Industrial Robotics Distribution. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAHAHAB, Collaborative Robots (Cobots), with a secondary code of HDAAAIAA, Industrial & Warehouse Robotics. Its NAICS code is 333 and its SIC code is 5084.