Machinery distributor Capital Machine has acquired a developer and builder of industrial automation and robotics systems, company officials announced Wednesday.
The Tampa-based provider of press brakes, metal cutting machinery and robotic welders said that the addition of KC Robotics would shift the company from an “equipment supplier” to an “automation partner.” KC, based in suburban Cincinnati, provides custom automation to manufacturers across North America, including welding, cutting and finishing, material handling, machine tending, assembly and vision-guided cells. It also features in-house engineering, fabrication and robot programming capabilities.
“Our customers have been asking us to help them solve their automation challenges, not just sell them the machine at the center of the cell,” Capital CEO Dan DeBickero said in a statement. “KC Robotics brings the engineering depth to design and deliver complete systems.”
KC will continue operating under its own name, and CEO Kyle Carrier will continue to lead the business. It will also maintain its engineering and project management teams while gaining access to Capital Machine’s equipment portfolio and aftermarket service program.
“Joining Capital Machine lets us bring our engineering to far more manufacturers, backed by a service footprint few integrators can match,” said Carrier. “Our customers keep the team they know — with a lot more behind it.”
The deal is Capital Machine’s first since private equity firm Rotunda Capital Partners invested in the company last spring. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
