Comau Signs Binding Agreement to Acquire Automha, Advancing Growth in Industrial Automation and Intralogistics
Comau, a global leader in industrial automation, has entered into a binding agreement to acquire Automha, a prominent Italian company specializing in warehousing and intralogistics automation. Automha is currently owned by Trasma, and the transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of 2025, pending the fulfillment of customary conditions precedent, including regulatory approvals.
Under the terms of the agreement, Comau will acquire 100% of Automha’s shares. This strategic acquisition represents a significant milestone for Comau as it seeks to expand its presence in the rapidly growing warehousing and logistics sector, while simultaneously reinforcing its position within the broader landscape of industrial automation. The acquisition also lays the groundwork for the creation of a forward-focused Italian industrial automation hub capable of competing on a global scale.
Automha, founded in 1979, is known for its deep expertise in designing and implementing automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RS), shuttles, and high-density intralogistics solutions tailored to the evolving needs of modern warehousing.
The company has steadily built a reputation for quality, innovation, and customer-centric service. Its technologies are currently deployed in a wide range of industries, including manufacturing, food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, and retail, where intralogistics efficiency is critical to maintaining supply chain agility.
In line with the agreement, Automha will continue to operate under its existing structure, leadership, and strategic vision, ensuring seamless business continuity. The entire workforce will remain in place, and the company’s core values—centered on people, quality, and innovation—will continue to drive its operations.
Franco Togni will retain his position as Chief Executive Officer of Automha, providing continuity of leadership and a steady hand during the integration process. Additionally, Gianni Togni and Roberta Togni will not only maintain their current roles within Automha but will also join Comau’s Executive Committee. Their participation will support the joint development of strategic initiatives across both companies and foster alignment at the executive level.
The acquisition of Automha aligns closely with Comau’s long-term strategic direction, particularly in the wake of the company’s recent transformation into a standalone entity. This shift followed a change in Comau’s shareholder structure, whereby One Equity Partners (OEP)—an international private equity firm—acquired a majority stake in the company. With OEP’s support, Comau is actively pursuing growth opportunities that will enhance its value proposition in the industrial automation space. The acquisition of Automha represents a critical step in this journey.
Through this transaction, Comau reaffirms its commitment to strengthening its Italian industrial base while expanding its global footprint. The complementary capabilities of Comau and Automha will create immediate synergies across product development, engineering, and customer solutions. Comau’s global resources and advanced automation expertise, combined with Automha’s niche specialization in intralogistics, will enable both companies to accelerate innovation and deliver more comprehensive solutions to their customers.
For Automha, the deal presents a significant opportunity to scale operations and broaden its international reach. By joining forces with Comau, Automha will gain access to expanded geographic markets and benefit from deeper in-house technological capabilities. This collaboration is expected to drive growth through joint product development and the integration of advanced digital technologies, such as artificial intelligence, robotics, and data-driven automation, into warehousing and logistics environments.
Pietro Gorlier, Chief Executive Officer of Comau, emphasized the strategic importance of the acquisition. “Expanding our reach, know-how, and technology portfolio through the acquisition of innovative companies such as Automha is a crucial step in Comau’s growth strategy, as defined when we became a standalone company and implemented immediately after the closing phase,” he said. “In addition to capitalizing on the strong growth potential of warehousing and intralogistics markets, the integration of Automha within Comau will allow us to leverage our combined expertise and resources to accelerate innovation and growth across a wide range of global industrial sectors.”
The move is also backed by One Equity Partners, which views M&A activity as a core component of Comau’s expansion strategy. Ante Kusurin, Partner at OEP, noted that the acquisition aligns with broader trends in industrial automation. “When we invested in Comau, we saw a clear path forward to help the company expand strategically and gain scale.
M&A is a main driver for this, and we identified warehouse, logistics, and handling automation systems as a significant opportunity for this business,” he explained. “The acquisition of Automha is a move toward diversification of Comau’s operations and further taps the company into industrial automation trends improving productivity across many industries. We are excited for the opportunity ahead of us as these two complementary companies join forces.”
From Automha’s perspective, the transaction is both a validation of its strategic direction and a promising new chapter in its evolution. Founder Franco Togni expressed confidence in the partnership, underscoring the alignment in values and vision between the two organizations.
“In Comau, we have found a partner who shares our values of quality, innovation, and commitment to customer success,” Togni remarked. “This new chapter represents not only a moment of growth for Automha but also a continuation of the journey that began in 1979. I look forward to the future that lies ahead, knowing that together with Comau, we will continue to build excellence, expand our global impact, and reach a proper size to maintain a leading position in a market that is increasing in competitiveness and project scale.”
As global supply chains face mounting pressure to become more agile, automated, and efficient, the demand for cutting-edge intralogistics solutions continues to surge. The integration of Comau’s industrial automation capabilities with Automha’s intralogistics expertise is poised to address this demand head-on. The partnership is expected to yield a broader product and service portfolio capable of supporting customers across diverse sectors, from automotive and heavy industry to fast-moving consumer goods.
With the transaction anticipated to close by mid-2025, both companies are preparing for a smooth transition. Integration teams are expected to focus on harmonizing operations, exploring collaborative R&D initiatives, and ensuring that customers experience uninterrupted service throughout the process.
In summary, the acquisition of Automha marks a pivotal moment in Comau’s evolution as a global automation powerhouse. By bringing together two highly complementary organizations, the deal will not only enhance operational capabilities but also position both firms to capitalize on transformative trends shaping the future of logistics, manufacturing, and automation worldwide.
