Automation and robot recommendation platform, Bot-Hive, announced in a company press release that Paul Hide, former Managing Director of Sharp UK and General Manager of Marketing at Sony UK, will be joining the company as a strategic advisor for the companies commercial strategy.
The automation and robot recommendation platform write that the appointment of Paul is a significant boost to its business and has been made possible through the strong network that the Development Bank of Wales has provided it, since investing equity into the company earlier this year.
Bot-Hive co-founder and CEO Jacques Bonfrer commented on how the team looks forward to having him on the team by saying: “Paul brings with him a wealth of knowledge and experience that will greatly add to what we are achieving at Bot-Hive. In all of Paul’s past and current roles, automation has been a key entity within the teams and organisations he has been responsible for. We are all very much looking forward to working closely with him.”
Automation and robotics are a hot topic at the moment with businesses, and entire industries, increasingly deploying automation and robotic solutions to deal with the impacts of COVID-19 restrictions on businesses and social distancing.
As a result, investors have been quick to notice the trend that automation and robot solutions are becoming popular with Pudu Robotics raising over $15m for its indoor robotic delivery solutions, Wandlebots raising $30m for its no-code robotics technology, and Autonomous Mobile Robot (AMR) provider OTTO Motors raising $29m all in less than the past six months.
Cardiff-based Bot-Hive launched in 2019 and claims to currently be the world’s largest online platform for robotics and automation technology. The automation and robot recommendation platform has been given support by the Welsh Government and the Development Bank of Wales, with office locations in Bristol and Amsterdam.
The automation and robot recommendation platform can connect companies, organisations, and individuals with automation products and general robotics industry information that is suitable to its business challenge.
As a part of its planned business strengthening, Bot-Hive is aiming to be a new channel partner for robotics manufacturers, integrators, and organisations who are looking to onboard robotics into their workflows.
The automation and robot recommendation platform claims to have a client roster of globally recognised brands with names including Japanese group Fanuc, and international technology group, Schunk.
As AMRs, automation, and robotics become increasingly popular, we’re witnessing new partnerships occur with examples being LAC Conveyors & Automation announcing a partnership with Prime Robotics and Conveyor Networks announcing a partnership with Geek+, giving the robot and automation recommendation platform another avenue of opportunity.
Bot-Hive wrote that Paul is to be the first of three new appointments to be announced in the coming months as the automation and robot recommendation platform looks to strengthen its position in the market.
Paul said: “I’m delighted to be given the opportunity to work with the Bot-Hive team. Industrial Automation is the fourth revolution of manufacturing and supply chain optimisation with AI and Robotics playing a critical role in enabling new solutions. The possibilities are immense and Bot-Hive is well-positioned to be a leading player in facilitating this new world.”
Col Batten from the Development Bank of Wales commented on what Pauls’s appointment means to Bot-Hive by saying: “Paul brings huge industry experience and a great network to Bot-Hive. His appointment is a testament to our shared belief that this exciting tech start-up really is driving the global robotics sector from the heart of Wales. We’re delighted to have made the introduction.”
The automation and robot recommendation platform highlighted that Paul brings with him over 30 years of Tech Sector experience, and is currently CEO of the Association of Manufacturers of Domestic Appliances (AMDEA), having previously served as Chief Operating Officer of Tech UK.
