The Timken Company, a developer and manufacturer of engineered bearings and power transmission products, acquired Intelligent Machine Solutions (iMS), a manufacturer of industrial robotics and automation solutions. The addition expands and complements Timken’s Rollon linear motion product range with larger and heavy-duty applications, such as seventh axis robotic transfer units (RTUs) and gantry systems. The addition also enhances Rollon’s operational footprint in the United States.

Rollon, acquired in 2018, is based in Milan, Italy, with manufacturing operations in Italy, Germany, and the U.S.

iMS products and systems are used by manufacturers across industries to automate certain production processes. iMS will increase Rollon’s leadership in robotics and automation and in new and growing end-market sectors, such as packaging and marine, as well as aerospace and automotive production plants.

“The acquisition of iMS builds upon our established engineering expertise in power transmission and will enable us to compete more effectively and win new business in the heavy-duty linear motion space,” said Rüdiger Knevels, CEO of Rollon. “This deal expands our product line and creates new opportunities for us in the growing and global $700 million robotic transfer unit industry.”