Schaeffler strengthens robotics business with acquisition of Melior Motion

Schaeffler has signed an agreement to acquire all of the shares of Melior Motion GmbH, a supplier of precision gearboxes for robotics and other applications in automation. The operation expands the robotics portfolio of the Schaeffler Group’s Industrial division.

As automation of both simple, repetitive tasks as well as complex mounting and manufacturing processes is progressing rapidly, the Industrial division of the Schaeffler Group consistently expands its position as a supplier for robotics components and systems. In a first step, the division has brought a strain-wave gearbox equipped with an electric motor and sensors for use in collaborative robots (cobots) to the point of volume production. In a second step, it is now adding more powerful gearboxes for higher payload capacities in industrial applications to its portfolio.

Over several years, Melior Motion GmbH has developed and successfully brought to the market an innovative planetary gearbox for industrial robots that is highly precise, features outstanding repeat accuracy, low noise emissions as well as very sound robustness. A modular platform concept has been developed based on this technology. The first gearboxes of this design have been on the market since 2017 and are proving their worth, whilst meeting with rapidly growing demand. The company, which generated revenue of around 23 million euros in 2021, has over 100 employees and is located in Hameln, Germany. It is currently planning another production site in China. Europe and China are currently the main sales markets of Melior Motion GmbH. The company was established in 2017 and traces its origins back to the Stephan-Werke founded in 1908, which was acquired by Premium Ltd. in 2011.

“In Melior Motion GmbH, we are acquiring a highly innovative company in the robotics field that is on a strong growth course – states Stefan Spindler, Schaeffler’s CEO Industrial -. This acquisition adds to our still young portfolio of robot actuators and considerably expands our position as an innovative supplier in this important business area. As a user of robots ourselves, we will also utilize the special characteristics of this portfolio to increase efficiency at our 75 Schaeffler production sites“.

Melior Motion and its predecessors have been developing precision gears for robotics manufacturers and applications in industrial automation for over 30 years. After many years of collaborating with Kuka, the new, innovative precision gearbox was qualified for two industrial robots as well and is currently installed in two axes of the KR Cybertech and six axes of the KR Iontec. As a result of these products’ success in the market, which is driven by the features of the new drive concept in particular, the company will considerably expand its production capacity in 2022.

“The developments and products of the highly qualified team at Melior Motion GmbH are an ideal addition to the Schaeffler Group’s product portfolio – said Ralf Moseberg, senior vice president Industrial automation at Schaeffler Industrial -. The much lower backlash, compared to competitors’ products, is derived from an ultra-precise planetary gearbox concept with special characteristics. The high torque density, long service life, and outstanding energy efficiency are of exceeding interest to our large customer base in the field of robotics. The two companies’ products are complementary and share the same group of customers. We also expect the similarity of our manufacturing technologies to enable us to realize synergies in purchasing and production”.

Chris Morrell, managing director of Melior Motion GmbH, states: “We are delighted to gain a new owner and strategic partner for the future in the Schaeffler Group. Its global footprint, manufacturing expertise, and especially its ability to scale up the business will enable us to launch another phase of accelerated growth with respect to industrial robots and the machine tool market. Along with Germany, we especially plan to considerably increase local production capacity in China. This can now be done much more rapidly within Schaeffler’s existing infrastructure”.

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