Wednesday 6 February 2019

Keensight Capital invests in robots

That's all we need! 'Is it, boss?' No. No. No, it isn't. 'Oh.' I was being sarcastic. We don't want robots running amok. 'Who says they're going to run amok?' Come on, Voice! Every film I've ever seen with a robot in it ends in disaster. The robot always goes nuts and starts killing people. 'Like that Yul Brynner.' Exactly! All dressed in black. A cowboy robot. We don't want to see that on our streets.

ASTI Mobile Robotics is partnering with Keensight Capital, one of the leading players in Growth Buyout, to support the growth of the company. Through this agreement, Keensight Capital, as its strategic and financial partner, has entered in the company with a relevant minority stake.

Okay, okay. How big is this stake then? What percentage? And how much did Keensight Capital pay for it? 'Is this a PR email, boss?' Yes. Yes, it is. / I'm excited! Let's find out the answers to these important questions ...

ASTI Mobile Robotics, part of ASTI Technologies Group, provides automated intralogistics solutions for large manufacturers, that optimize productivity, streamlining production processes and cutting operational costs. The company notably specializes in the engineering of Automatic Guided Vehicles (AGVs).

So, robot cars. There will be robot wars, no doubt. I'm staying indoors, me.

The company serves blue-chip customers across a wide range of sectors including automotive, aerospace, food, e-commerce, pharmaceutical and cosmetics. The European AGV leader in terms of volume sold, ASTI benefits from one of the largest solutions portfolios and European installed base of automated vehicles.

Fair enough. But, uh ... oh! -

Based in Burgos (Spain) and with offices in France, ASTI Mobile Robotics counts 218 employees, serving companies in 17 countries across the globe. The company has experienced a very strong growth with a CAGR of 53% since 2014, and benefiting from a significant international presence, with close to 75% of its revenues generated outside of Spain.    

Yeah, yeah, yeah. That's nice. Real nice. But how much did Keensight invest? What is the firm's stake? Tell us!

Driven by structural trends such as industrial automation and robotization, AGVs are one of the building blocks of the Industry 4.0 with a market size expected to grow at a double-digit pace over the next 5 years. Keensight Capital, through its extensive expertise in the IT sector, will support ASTI in the expansion of its activities internationally through organic growth as well as sizeable bolt-on acquisitions.

Oh, we must be getting to it now. 'Maybe Veronica will tell us, boss.' Yeah, maybe. What are the odds?

Veronica Pascual Boe, Chief Executive Officer of ASTI Mobile Robotics commented: "We are pleased to welcome Keensight Capital as new shareholder. It was important for us to choose an international partner with a deep understanding of the HighTech market and the financial strength to support our growth ambitions. Both shareholders and partners, Keensight Capital and ASTI Technologies Group, share a strong vision of how the company can be developed over the next few years by extending our geographic reach, and further enhancing our proprietary technologies, our solutions and services."

Yeah, great. FFS! Actually, listen ... our Jean-Michel actually works at Keensight Capital. 'Brilliant! He'll want to tell us for sure!' Yes, yes. I know he will. He's a managing partner. He knows everything. / Come on, Jean-Michel! We're relying on you, son!

Jean-Michel Beghin, Managing Partner at Keensight Capital added: "ASTI enjoys a leading position in the AGV segment, a high-growth market with sustainable drivers. The company benefits from an exceptional management team and a proven business model that has had a continuous track record of growth over a long period. We are very excited to support Veronica and her team in pursuing this successful path, through international expansion and targeted acquisition activity."

Okay, uh ... so, uh ... no one's going to tell us. That's ... 'That's disappointing, boss.' Yeah. I feel I've let the readers down, Voice. / Well, there's this -

Keensight Capital, one of the leading European Growth Buyout firms, is committed to supporting entrepreneurs as they implement their growth strategies. For almost 20 years now, our team of seasoned professionals have leveraged their knowledge in investment and growth industries to invest for the long term in profitable companies with high growth potential and revenues in the range of €15 million to €250 million.

And, uh, ENDS, but ... I feel I've let you down, dear reader(s). I really do. 'Don't beat yourself up, boss. It's not your fault.' Well, I don't know. 'You could search online, you know. Maybe another website knows how much Keensight invested, and what its stake is.' Yeah, yeah. I haven't got the enthusiasm for that now. Not now. 'Oh.' I'm going to be depressed for the rest of the day. I can feel it.

Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow .. but what will we do ... today?! That is the question!!!

I've got, I've got, I've got ... I've got to stay positive, man!!! / Listen, kook(s), I might write a motivational post later. 'Weren't you going to turn Money is the way into a motivational blog, Mikey?' Ha!

Laters!