Amazon has acquired Belgian robotics company Cloostermans.

Cloostermans designs and manufactures mechatronics solutions, advanced technology that is used in Amazon operations to help move and stack heavy pallets and totes or package products together for customer delivery. Amazon began working with Cloostermans in 2019, and by focusing Cloostermans’ deep experience in engineering, machinery and robotics, the retail giant will more rapidly deploy solutions “that support employees in their roles and improve safety at work, and also help reduce packaging waste”.

“Amazon’s investments in robotics and technology are supporting how we build a better and safer workplace for our employees and deliver for our customers,” says Ian Simpson, vice president of Global Robotics at Amazon. “As we continue to broaden and accelerate the robotics and technology we design, engineer and deploy across our operations, we look forward to welcoming Cloostermans to Amazon and are excited to see what we can build together.”

“We’re thrilled to be joining the Amazon family and extending the impact we can have at a global scale,” says Frederik Berckmoes-Joos, CEO of Cloostermans. “Amazon has raised the bar for how supply chain technologies can benefit employees and customers, and we’re looking forward to being part of the next chapter of this innovation.”

Cloostermans’ team of approximately 200 employees will be joining Amazon Global Robotics’ growing presence in Europe. 

Financial details of the acquisition were not released.

Earlier this month, Amazon entered into a definitive merger agreement to acquire iRobot. That transaction is worth around USD1.7 billion and is subject to approval by iRobot’s shareholders and regulatory approvals.