MX Group joins forces with two Chinese robotics powerhouses... “Expanding into logistics automation beyond semiconductors”

[Financial News] MX Group has joined forces with Chinese robotics and logistics automation companies to expand its business. The move aims to extend control technology developed for semiconductor processes to collaborative robots while leveraging Chinese companies’ supply chains to improve its competitiveness in winning orders in overseas logistics automation markets.
According to MX Group on the 21st, MX On and MX Robotics signed separate memoranda of understanding (MOUs) on business cooperation the previous day with AUBO Robotics, China’s No. 1 collaborative robot company, and OMH Science Group, a logistics automation company, respectively.
The notable point is that the two partners have different roles. The arrangement is to advance robot control technology with AUBO and broaden opportunities to win overseas projects through cross-supply of products with OMH.
MX On currently supplies smart factory solutions to front-end production facilities operated by major semiconductor companies, including Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., SK hynix and Micron Technology, Inc. With related sales accounting for more than 50%, a key task is to connect its existing semiconductor customer base to its robot control business.
As of 2024, AUBO was a major Chinese robotics company whose cumulative sales of collaborative robots had surpassed 30,000 units. The two sides plan to broaden their cooperation, from industrial data analysis to integration with robot monitoring and control systems.
Cooperation with OMH is key to overseas business. At least 70% of MX Robotics’ revenue comes from overseas markets, including India, the United States and China.
The plan is to use OMH’s conveyors and material-handling equipment in existing projects, while considering supplying MX Robotics’ gantry robots and other products in the Chinese market.
Industry insiders saw the business significance of the cooperation not so much in expanding the robotics product lineup as in changing the structure for winning orders. Combining proprietary technology with external equipment could create opportunities to broaden the scope of supply for each project and improve cost competitiveness.
A representative of MX Robotics said, “The greatest significance of this cooperation is that the two companies will play complementary roles in the logistics automation equipment and robot systems markets, drawing on their respective specialized products and core markets.” The representative added, “Competition is fierce in Korea’s logistics automation equipment and robot systems market, while barriers to entry for local companies are high in China. We expect OMH’s competitive product lineup and strong sales infrastructure in China to provide a major boost to MX Robotics’ global growth.”
That is why attention is focused on whether this cooperation will help diversify the company’s existing business structure, which is centered on semiconductors.
An industry source said, “In the manufacturing automation market, the ability to supply robots and control software as a package is becoming more important than supplying individual pieces of equipment.” The source added, “Companies that already have semiconductor customers may have room to reduce sales costs in new robotics businesses as well.”


[email protected] Kim Gyeong-a Reporter