13 December 2019 – n a move to further deepen Airbus' commitment to expanding advanced robotics capabilities, they have acquired MTM Robotics, for an undisclosed sum.
"We are pleased and excited to become a part of the Airbus family and look forward to further integrating our products and approaches into the Airbus industrialization chain, "said MTM founder, Mike Woogerd.
MTM will operate as a wholly owned subsidiary of Airbus Americas, Inc., headquartered in Herndon, Virginia, it will continue to serve other customers in the aerospace industry along with retaining its current leadership and 40-person staff.
Airbus and MTM robotics share a decade old relationship with multiple MTM light automated robotics systems currently in use at Airbus manufacturing facilities.
This acquisition is an important step in Airbus' chapter to use robotics in the manufacture and assembly of its commercial aircraft meanwhile leveraging time- and cost-saving benefits.
Since 2003, MTM has deployed more than 40 aerospace manufacturing systems comprised of machines, tools, machine software, enterprise software and support throughout the United States, Europe, the Middle East and Asia.
"The competitiveness of tomorrow will be determined by both designing the best aircraft and by building the most efficient manufacturing system, in parallel," said Michael Schoellhorn, Airbus Chief Operating Officer." Automation & robotics are central to our industrial strategy. We are very happy to welcome MTM Robotics as a family member and take a step forward on this exciting endeavour together."
"MTM perfectly fits Airbus' ambition for engineering and innovative manufacturing solutions while maintaining agility," explained Patrick Vigi, Head of Industrial Technologies at Airbus.
"Airbus and MTM Robotics each believe that tomorrow's automation in aircraft manufacturing can and must be lighter, more portable and less capital intensive," explained Vigi. "By joining our efforts and skills, we are well positioned to establish industry wide standards for the factory of tomorrow, "he said.