Airbus has acquired industrial automation company, MTM Robotics, for an undisclosed sum. The move deepens Airbus’ commitment to expanding advanced robotics capabilities within its manufacturing processes. The MTM business will retain its current leadership and 40-person staff, as well as its facility in Mukilteo, Washington, near Seattle.
The acquisition is the latest chapter in a trusted, ten-year-plus
relationship between the companies, with multiple MTM light automated
robotics systems currently in use at Airbus manufacturing facilities.
While 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. 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 acquisition marks the latest step for Airbus in its industrialization roadmap, aimed at leveraging the time- and cost-saving benefits associated with using robotics in the manufacture and assembly of its commercial aircraft.