Timken acquires robotics and automation solutions manufacturer Intelligent Machine Solutions

The Timken Company, a global industrial supplier in engineered bearings and power transmission products, has acquired industrial robotics and automatic solutions manufacturer Intelligent Machine Solutions (iMS).

The acquisition pairs with Timken’s Rollon linear motion product range with large and heavy-duty applications, such as seventh-axis robotic transfer units and gantry systems.

iMS is a US-owned company, founded in 2008 and based in Michigan. The company designs and manufactures overhead, rotary, floor-mounted, and extreme seventh-axis robotic transfer units and gantry systems used by manufacturers across industries to automate specific production processes.

Rollon aims to increase its leadership in robotics and automation with the acquisition, and in new and growing end-market sectors such as packaging marine, aerospace, and automotive production plants. The addition of iMS also enhances Rollon’s operational footprint in the US.

Rüdiger Knevels, chief executive officer of Rollon said: “The acquisition of iMS builds upon our established engineering expertise in power transmission and will enable us to compete more effectively and win new business in the heavy-duty linear motion space.” He added, “This deal expands our product line and creates new opportunities for us in the growing and global $700 million robotic transfer unit industry.”

iMS revenues for the 12 months ended June 30^th, 2021 and were approximately $6 million. Other terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Timken posted $3.5 billion in sales in 2020 and employs more than 17,000 people globally, operating from 42 countries.