iRobot buys rival Evolution Robotics for $74 million to expand hard-floor cleaning tech
iRobot celebrated Roomba's 10th birthday quietly teeing up a $74 million acquisition of rival Evolution Robotics Inc. The Pasadena-based company produces the Mint, a hard-floor 'bot that uses ordinary Swiffer pads to wet-wipe your wooden decks clean -- and comes with the more sophisticated "Northstar" GPS-style positioning tech. As part of the deal, Evolution CEO Paolo Pirjanian will become iRobot's new CTO and the Mint and Mint Plus will be folded into the company's stable of Roomba cleaners -- with the deal expected to be fully approved by the fourth quarter of the year.
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iRobot Acquires Evolution Robotics, Inc.
Expands Position as Global Robotic Floor Care Market-Leader
BEDFORD, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--iRobot Corp. (NASDAQ: IRBT), a leader in delivering robotic technology-based solutions, today announced it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire privately-held Evolution Robotics, Inc. (ER), developer of Mint® and Mint® Plus automatic floor cleaning robots, based in Pasadena, California. The acquisition and the definitive agreement have been approved by the board of directors of iRobot and the board of directors and stockholders of ER. The acquisition, which is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2012, expands iRobot's technology leadership through a combination of intellectual property, engineering talent and new products that will broaden iRobot's global portfolio of practical robotics solutions. iRobot will acquire ER for $74 million, subject to customary purchase price adjustments. iRobot will use its cash reserves to pay for the acquisition.
ER's technology originated in 2001 in a technology company incubator. In 2010, ER launched Mint®, an automatic floor cleaning robot designed exclusively for hard surface floors, which offers a different approach to cleaning than iRobot's current products. Mint automatically dusts and damp mops hard surface floors using popular cleaning cloths, such as Swiffer® brand Dry and Wet Cloths and other similar products. In 2011, ER expanded its product line with the introduction of Mint® Plus, an enhanced version. Both products have been available for purchase on ER's website and from select U.S. retailers. Mint® provides iRobot with a complementary dry/wet floor cleaning solution ideally suited for maintenance of hard surfaces. Positive customer experience has driven strong revenue growth since its first product introduction in 2010. Mint® provides lower market entry points for customers with hard floors.
"Evolution Robotics' products will expand our automated floor care offerings while its technology and intellectual property will bring visual navigation and simultaneous localization and mapping, among other technologies, which could be deployed in future iRobot products to deliver greater customer value," said Colin Angle, iRobot chairman and CEO. "There are tremendous opportunities to leverage the strength of the iRobot brand and our sales and distribution network to expand Mint product sales around the world. Robotic floor cleaners are one of the fastest growing consumer products in the past few years and our retailers and distributors welcome opportunities to fuel that growth."
"I am also pleased to announce that Paolo Pirjanian, CEO of Evolution Robotics, will be joining iRobot as Chief Technology Officer, continuing to be based in the Pasadena office. I have known Paolo for many years and his extensive experience as an industry-leading roboticist will greatly enhance our team," Angle added.
"I am very excited about Evolution Robotics and iRobot joining together as a formidable force in robotic technology and look forward to my new role as iRobot's CTO," said Paolo Pirjanian, CEO of Evolution Robotics, Inc.
The acquisition is expected to contribute additional revenue of $4-6 million in 2012 and $22-24 million in 2013. On a GAAP basis, iRobot expects the acquisition to be dilutive in 2012 and 2013, subject to final purchase price accounting determinations. The acquisition is expected to be accretive by Q4 2013, excluding non-cash charges, one-time charges and integration costs. Please refer to the supplemental data sheet attached hereto for detailed information about the financial impact of the transaction.
