Scott buys automated vehicle supplier

DUNEDIN niche engineering company Scott Technology has bought a multimilliondollar US company, Transbotics Corporation, which makes automated guided vehicles, for an undisclosed sum.

Transbotics is in the top 10 manufacturers of automated guided vehicles (AGVs) in the US, having been established 36 years ago, and employs 30 staff, who will stay with Scott Technology.

Its customer base includes Bridgestone, the world’s largest tyre manufacturer, Alcoa, the world’s sixthlargest supplier of aluminium and construction supplier US Gypsum.

Scott chairman Stuart McLauchlan said when contacted he expected ‘‘great growth’’ opportunities from the Transbotics acquisition. Scott had been using its products for the past two years.

The unmanned AGVs are used in warehousing and distribution settings, accessing, storing and transporting stock or pallets.

In February Scott announced it had bought Belgian warehouse automation company Alvey for ¤12.1 million ($NZ20.3 million) cash, which it plans to expand across the world.

Mr McLauchlan said yesterday the Alvey purchase was the first step towards the goal of having complete vehicle production from ‘‘raw material receipt to final distribution’’ of the finished vehicles, and also a cart model.

Transbotics is based in Charlotte, North Carolina.

‘‘We will now be able to meet this [vehicle] need in house, while removing the risk and cost associated with outsourcing,’’ he said.

It would also provide a strong platform to launch Scott’s materials handling and logistics products into the North American market, he said.

The deal is scheduled to be concluded by June 1. Acquisition earnings will be accretive, meaning it will immediately contribute positively to Scott’s revenue.