Global Investment firm Carlyle has agreed to invest in AGILOX, a leading provider of intelligent autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) for the automation of intralogistics and material handling processes. Carlyle, alongside existing AGILOX shareholder Raiffeisen Invest Private Equity, will invest substantial growth capital to help drive AGILOX’s further international expansion and the development of new products. The founders of AGILOX along with Raiffeisen Invest Private Equity will each retain a large stake in AGILOX. Details of the transaction, which is subject to regulatory approvals, are not being disclosed.

Headquartered in Neukirchen bei Lambach, Austria, AGILOX develops and produces AI-based, self-driving logistics robots. AGILOX’s AMRs drive major productivity gains, increase safety and reliability, and help address staff shortages in intralogistics and material handling processes. With its control system based on swarm intelligence, unrestricted omnidirectional freedom of movement, maximum navigation precision and ease of use, AGILOX is setting new industry standards in the automated transport of pallet-based load carriers. AGILOX’s technology is highly valued by its blue-chip customer base which includes many multinational market leaders from the automotive, consumer goods and other manufacturing industries, alongside customers in the mechanical engineering and logistics sectors. Through its HQ in Europe, subsidiary in the US and its global partner network, AGILOX has a presence in most of the key markets for intralogistics and material handling automation.

Continuing on a growth course

In a rapidly growing AMR market Carlyle’s investment and global network will further accelerate AGILOX’s growth. Equity for the transaction will be provided by Carlyle Europe Technology Partners (CETP) IV, a EUR 1.35 billion fund that invests in small and middle market technology-focused opportunities.

Franz Humer, CEO of AGILOX, says: “With Carlyle we were able to bring on board our dream partner, who, in addition to an international network, has an extensive understanding of our industry and experience in supporting fast-growing technology companies. Carlyle’s investment means a big step forward for AGILOX and together we will seek to continue to accelerate both our international expansion and the development of new products. Together with Carlyle, our vision is to develop AGILOX into a global market leader in the field of intelligent driverless transport systems.”

Dr. Thorsten Dippel, Managing Director in the CETP Advisory Team, said: “AGILOX is perfectly suited to CETP‘s strategy. Namely, leveraging our significant experience working with founder-led, high-growth technology companies and the global Carlyle network, to support AGILOX to become a global market leader. We have been very impressed by AGILOX’s founders and employees, its disruptive technology and products, blue-chip customer base and excellent customer references. We look forward to working together with AGILOX’s founders and team and to drive the company’s global growth strategy.”

Daniel Haider, Managing Director of Raiffeisen OÖ Invest and Deputy Head of Investment Management at Raiffeisenlandesbank Oberösterreich, said: “Having supported AGILOX since its launch in 2017, we are pleased to support the next step in AGILOX’s growth journey together with Carlyle. With Carlyle as partner, AGILOX will remain an independent Austrian company and AGILOX’s footprint in Austria will expand even further. The high level of interest and feedback received by international investors confirms our view that AGILOX has the potential to become a global market leader.”