EssilorLuxottica Acquires Automation & Robotics (A&R)

Automated Industrial Robotics Acquires Owens Design

August 20, 2025

Industrial Services

Automated Industrial Robotics (AIR) has acquired Owens Design, a Fremont, California-based industrial automation firm, in a transaction funded by an Ares Management private equity fund alongside an equity roll by Owens Design leadership. The acquisition—bringing Owens Design's ~100 employees and 60,000 sq. ft. facility into the AIR platform—strengthens AIR's engineering capabilities and presence in the semiconductor, medical products and renewable energy end markets.

Automated Industrial Robotics Inc. Acquires Robotics & Drives

October 10, 2024

Industrial Services

Automated Industrial Robotics Inc. (AIR), a PE-backed industrial automation platform, has acquired Ireland-based Robotics & Drives (RDS). The acquisition, funded primarily by an additional Ares Management private equity fund investment, expands AIR's robotics software and systems design capabilities and strengthens its presence in Europe; terms were not disclosed.

EssilorLuxottica Acquires Optical Investment Group (Romania)

July 30, 2024

Retail

EssilorLuxottica has agreed to acquire the entire share capital of Optical Investment Group (OIG), Romania’s leading optical retailer, from Innova/6 (an Innova Capital fund) and a group of individual minority shareholders. OIG operates 99 stores under the OPTIblu, Optiplaza and O51 banners, with over 650 employees; the transaction is expected to close in Q4 2024 subject to regulatory approvals.

EssilorLuxottica Acquires Walman Optical Lab Network

March 25, 2021

Medical Devices

EssilorLuxottica has signed an agreement to acquire Walman, a U.S.-based network of 35 optical labs and vision-care service hubs headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The acquisition will expand EssilorLuxottica's lab and service capabilities in the U.S., supporting growth in progressive lenses, anti-reflective coatings and emerging solutions such as myopia management; Walman will continue to operate under its brand.

SCIO Automation Group Acquires Industrial Automation LLC

September 2, 2020

Industrial Services

SCIO Automation Group has acquired Industrial Automation LLC, giving the group its first direct presence in North America. The acquisition expands SCIO’s automation capabilities—ranging from small robot cells to complete production lines—and supports the group’s internationalisation strategy.

Accenture Acquires Eclipse Automation

August 29, 2022

Industrial Services

Accenture has completed its acquisition of Eclipse Automation, a Cambridge, Ontario–based provider of customized manufacturing automation and robotics solutions. The deal integrates Eclipse's ~800 professionals into Accenture’s Industry X digital engineering and manufacturing practice to expand Accenture’s factory automation, robotics and smart-manufacturing capabilities.