AIR Acquires KAON, Deepening Focus on Medical Automation

LOS ANGELES, CA – January 09, 2026 – Automated Industrial Robotics Inc. (AIR) today announced its acquisition of KAON Automation, a Sligo, Ireland-based firm renowned for its bespoke automation solutions in the medical and life sciences sectors. The move, backed by private equity giant Ares Management, marks a significant escalation of AIR's strategy to build a global automation powerhouse, specifically targeting high-growth, heavily regulated industries.

While financial terms were not disclosed, the acquisition strengthens AIR’s European footprint and injects critical expertise in precision assembly and aseptic liquid filling into its expanding portfolio. This positions the company to compete more aggressively in the lucrative pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturing markets, a sector projected to grow by nearly $3.7 billion over the next five years.

An Aggressive Strategy of Consolidation

This acquisition is the latest in a calculated series of purchases orchestrated by AIR since its launch by Ares Management in August 2023. The company’s mission has been clear from the outset: to consolidate a fragmented industrial automation market by acquiring firms with deep domain expertise and integrating them into a unified global platform.

The journey began with the foundational acquisitions of Totally Automated Systems (TA Systems) in the U.S. and Modular Automation in Ireland, which established AIR's core capabilities in custom systems and MedTech solutions. This was followed by the 2024 purchase of Irish robotics specialist Robotics & Drives (RDS) and the 2025 acquisition of Owens Design, a U.S. firm specializing in high-tech custom automation.

The addition of KAON Automation fits seamlessly into this blueprint. "KAON is a high-quality business with strong technical depth, long-standing customer relationships and a culture that aligns closely with AIR’s values," said AIR Executive Chairman Brian Klos and CEO Darragh de Stonndún in a joint statement. "Their strengths in precision assembly and liquid filling technologies support our strategy of building a company that can consistently deliver high-quality, scalable solutions in regulated environments."

This "buy-and-build" strategy is characteristic of private equity's growing influence in the industrial technology space. Firms like Ares are capitalizing on secular tailwinds—including labor shortages, reshoring initiatives, and the demand for increased efficiency—to build sector-specific platforms. In a market where specialized automation firms can command valuation multiples between 10 to 20 times EBITDA, especially in the medical device space, AIR's aggressive M&A activity signals a high-stakes play for market leadership.

Reshaping Medical Manufacturing with Tech Synergy

The true value of the KAON acquisition lies in its technological synergy with AIR's existing portfolio. KAON brings a distinguished reputation for creating highly specialized systems for regulated environments, where precision, sterility, and compliance are non-negotiable.

KAON's expertise in aseptic high-speed filling, which includes next-generation systems with "zero-touch" changeovers, is particularly critical for pharmaceutical and biotech clients. This capability, combined with their proficiency in integrating intelligent conveyor architectures for high-throughput production, addresses a core need for manufacturers seeking to enhance both speed and safety.

When integrated with AIR’s existing assets, the potential for innovation multiplies. The modular, scalable frameworks from Modular Automation can be combined with KAON's bespoke medical application modules to create flexible production lines that can adapt quickly to new products. The advanced robotics and software from RDS can be deployed within KAON’s precision assembly systems to achieve new levels of accuracy and repeatability. Meanwhile, the broad systems integration experience from TA Systems provides the backbone to connect these disparate technologies into a seamless, end-to-end solution for global clients.

"Joining AIR marks an important new chapter for KAON," said Garreth Finlay and Fergus Hynes, Co-Founders of KAON. "Becoming part of AIR gives our team new scale and resources to advance our expansion while staying true to the values that have made KAON a trusted automation partner for our clients."

This enhanced technological stack positions AIR to compete directly with established giants like Siemens and Rockwell Automation, as well as specialized life science automation providers such as ATS Life Science Systems and Syntegon. For medical device and pharmaceutical manufacturers, a single-source provider with this breadth of capability can simplify complex projects, reduce integration risk, and accelerate time-to-market.

Bolstering Ireland's High-Tech Automation Corridor

The acquisition also casts a spotlight on Ireland's burgeoning role as a European hub for industrial automation and high-tech manufacturing. With the addition of KAON, three of AIR's key acquisitions—KAON, Modular Automation, and RDS—are now based in Ireland. This concentration of talent and technology creates a powerful European anchor for the U.S.-based company.

This strategic focus leverages Ireland's well-established ecosystem of medical device and pharmaceutical manufacturing, a sector that has long been a cornerstone of its economy. By investing heavily in the local automation firms that serve these industries, AIR is not only acquiring technology but also embedding itself within a critical innovation network.

The move is expected to bolster the regional economy by providing local firms with global scale and resources, potentially leading to job growth and further technological development. For the combined entity, which now boasts over 550 employees across 450,000 square feet in the U.S., U.K., and Ireland, this strong Irish presence provides a crucial gateway to the broader European market. It allows AIR to serve its multinational clients more effectively, offering localized support backed by a global resource network. As industrial automation continues its rapid evolution, driven by AI and robotics, this strategic foothold ensures AIR is well-positioned to capture growth opportunities across the continent.

The integration of KAON into AIR’s "unified operating model" will be a critical test of its platform strategy. While the press release emphasizes cultural alignment, successfully merging distinct company cultures, retaining key talent, and harmonizing operational processes are significant undertakings. The success of such integrations is often the deciding factor in whether an M&A deal delivers on its promised value. As AIR continues to pursue its strategy of organic growth and selective acquisitions, its ability to effectively absorb and empower companies like KAON will be paramount to realizing its vision of becoming a dominant force in global industrial automation.