As automation progresses at high speed, both for simple repetitive tasks and for complex assembly and manufacturing processes, the Industrial division is consistently expanding its position as a supplier of robot components and systems. In the first step, a harmonic drive with an electric motor and sensors for use in collaborative robots (cobots) was made ready for series production. In the second step, the portfolio is now being expanded to include more powerful gears for higher payloads in industrial applications.

In several years of development, Melior Motion GmbH has brought an innovative planetary gear for industrial robots to market maturity, which is characterized by high precision, excellent repeatability, extremely low noise and particular robustness. A modular platform concept was developed on the basis of this technology. The first gearboxes of this type have been on the market since 2017 and have proven themselves with rapidly increasing demand.

The company, which achieved sales of around 23 million euros in 2021, employs more than 100 people and is based in Hamelin. Another production site in China is being planned. The current main sales markets of Melior Motion GmbH are Europe and China. The company was launched in 2017, goes back to the Stephan-Werke founded in 1908 and was taken over by Premium Ltd. in 2011. acquired.

It was agreed not to disclose the financial details of the transaction, which is scheduled to be completed by early February 2022. The closing is subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions.

dr Stefan Spindler, Chief Industrial Officer at Schaeffler, says: “With Melior Motion GmbH, we are acquiring a highly innovative company in the field of robotics that is on a strong growth path. With the takeover, we are expanding our still young portfolio for actuators in robots and are significantly expanding our position as an innovative supplier in this important business area. As a user of robots in our 75 Schaeffler production facilities, we will also use the special properties of this portfolio to increase effectiveness.”