[Edaily Reporter Shin Yeong-bin ] “The acquisition of DLS marks the starting point of CLOBOT Co., Ltd.’s ‘Chapter 2.’ If the past nine years were a period of validating our robot control and autonomous driving software capabilities in the market, we are now entering a phase of fully expanding these proven technologies into logistics and manufacturing sites. Through this, we aim to achieve revenue growth of more than five times our current level within three years.”

Ryu Jeong-hoon, CEO of #CLOBOT Co., Ltd., explained the significance of the acquisition of Doosan Logistics Solutions (DLS) in these terms. Having led the initial public offering (IPO) and global business expansion during his tenure as CEO of Doosan Robotics, he recently joined CLOBOT Co., Ltd. to oversee new business ventures and global strategy.

President Ryu is a professional executive in the robotics industry who previously worked at Doosan Robotics. During his tenure as CEO of Doosan Robotics, he led the company’s IPO and global business expansion, and he joined CLOBOT Co., Ltd last February to oversee new business ventures and global strategy. CLOBOT Co., Ltd is currently led by sole CEO Kim Chang-gu.

On the 23rd, CLOBOT Co., Ltd signed a Share Purchase Agreement (SPA) with the DOOSAN Group for DLS. The acquisition price is approximately 685억 won. CLOBOT Co., Ltd plans to acquire 100% of DLS’s shares from DOOSAN and incorporate it as a consolidated subsidiary. The transaction is expected to close in September. CLOBOT Co., Ltd had been conducting due diligence and negotiations since being selected as the preferred bidder for the DLS acquisition last March.

CEO Ryu described this acquisition of DLS as a turning point that will elevate CLOBOT Co., Ltd.’s growth strategy to the next level. While the company has demonstrated its competitiveness primarily in robot control and autonomous driving software, its vision is to expand its business scope to include logistics and manufacturing sites, thereby transforming into a full-fledged automation solutions provider.

DLS is a logistics automation specialist and an affiliate of the DOOSAN Group. In addition to designing and building logistics centers, it possesses the capabilities to implement Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) and Warehouse Control Systems (WCS). The company has accumulated on-site implementation experience in the logistics automation market by executing large-scale projects for clients such as Nike and Daiso.

CLOBOT Co., Ltd is a robotics software company that reported consolidated revenue of 41.4 billion won and an operating loss of 3.2 billion won last year. As of the end of last year, CEO Kim Chang-gu held a 15.54% stake, making him the largest shareholder. Although the company has grown based on its heterogeneous robot control system (RCS) and autonomous driving software, it determined that on-site implementation capabilities were necessary to establish deeper customer relationships in the logistics automation market.

President Ryu stated, “While we have grown primarily through robot control and autonomous navigation technologies thus far, we must now move toward providing the entire logistics automation process that customers require,” adding, “We identified the logistics automation market as the highest priority in this process.”

Once the acquisition of DLS is finalized, CLOBOT Co., Ltd will combine its existing strengths in robot control with WMS, WCS, and on-site implementation capabilities. This effectively transforms the company into a turnkey provider offering the entire logistics automation process—from logistics center design and construction to operations and robot control.

Major competitors in the logistics automation market include LG Corp., Samsung SDS, HYUNDAI MOVEX, and CMES Robotics in Korea, as well as Daifuku, Dematic, and Symbotic overseas. The acquisition of DLS is expected to serve as a catalyst for CLOBOT Co., Ltd. to strengthen its competitive position in this market.

President Ryu explained, “Demand for robotics in logistics operations is growing rapidly due to labor shortages and advancements in physical AI technology,” adding, “As customer requirements become more complex, the ability of a single partner to provide integrated solutions—from WMS and WCS to robot control—is becoming increasingly important.”

DLS’s financial results are expected to be reflected on a consolidated basis starting in the fourth quarter of this year following the transaction’s closing. However, a significant contribution to earnings is expected to begin next year, and synergies from the combined operations of both companies are projected to become visible after 2028.

DLS has already secured two years’ worth of revenue through its order backlog. The company recorded approximately 67 billion won in revenue last year and achieved an operating profit, and revenue of about 100 billion won is expected this year. Based on its confirmed order backlog, the company anticipates that it will stably generate revenue of around 150 billion won over the next two years.

President Ryu stated, “What’s important is that DLS is not just a company with a large revenue base, but one that possesses the personnel and experience to actually design and build logistics centers,” adding, “We plan to expand beyond the existing distribution and logistics sectors to jointly target the manufacturing automation market.”

CLOBOT Co., Ltd also plans to pursue a Robot-as-a-Service (RaaS) model in the long term. This structure involves continuously managing the robots deployed on-site and the flow of materials even after a logistics center is built, thereby securing recurring revenue. The company’s vision is to evolve beyond a simple construction business into an operations platform provider.

In overseas markets, the company will prioritize North America. President Ryu said, “On its own, CLOBOT Co., Ltd had limitations in the range of solutions it could offer to overseas customers,” adding, “By partnering with DLS, we will be able to provide integrated solutions that combine software and robotics technology with on-site implementation capabilities.”

The company also views humanoid robots as a key driver of mid- to long-term growth. President Ryu explained, “Even as the era of humanoid robots arrives, what ultimately matters is the capability to operate and maintain robots in real-world environments,” adding, “DLS’s logistics sites can serve as crucial testbeds for future humanoid robot demonstrations and the application of Physical AI.”

CLOBOT Co., Ltd. plans to accelerate its global expansion following this acquisition. President Ryu emphasized, “We are aiming for revenue growth of more than five times our current level within three years,” adding, “Ultimately, we will grow into a global robotics solutions company that goes beyond robot hardware to take charge of the robotization and orchestration of entire sites.”