This latest venture between the two companies follows the joint development of Reeco’s RB1200 palletiser, which features an Omron TM12 collaborative robot. Designed to accommodate a wide range of pallet and box dimensions, the cost-effective RB1200’s modular design provides flexibility and simple programming for rapid redeployment.

Reeco is now the sole UK mobile robot solution partner for Omron; together Reeco and Omron will develop solutions that address manufacturing and warehousing challenges. Kicking off the partnership, Reeco will receive delivery of the first HD-1500 Mobile Robot in the UK which boasts a unique payload capacity of up to 1500kg.

Llewelyn Rees, managing director at Reeco, believes the ongoing partnership with leading industrial automation provider Omron can help transform the future of logistics operations. He said: “Companies designing factory floor space are already considering forklift-free zones and autonomous movement of materials. I want Reeco to be at the forefront of that technology.”

Newly appointed head of AMR applications Mick Deegan heads up the division with more jobs set to follow. He has significant experience in the FMCG sector, working in maintenance and more recently as a project engineer tasked with improving existing systems and implementing solutions in manufacturing environments.

Speaking about the new appointment at the Powys company, Llewelyn Rees added: “Mick is passionate about robotics like I am. He brings a different perspective and understands the challenges faced by companies and what’s needed to deliver a complete solution.”

Mick commented: “AMR technology offers companies more freedom when automating material movement and internal logistics. The ability to easily add to existing AMR configurations through hybrid fleets or additional tasks allows companies to gradually introduce the technology and will give more inhouse capability and control, which is essential in ever changing modern manufacturing environments.

“The great thing about AMRs is that they aren’t limited to factory environments. Anywhere that something needs to be moved from A to B there’s a potential for value to be added. We’ve seen it in the likes of decontamination in hospitals.”

This move further strengthens the growing relationship between Reeco and Omron with a complete end-of-line packaging solution on offer. Omron’s UK general manager, Sam Tilley, said: “Developing strong, bi-directional partnerships with world class solution providers is key to helping the UK manufacturing sector thrive in the future.

“The success of the RB1200 is a testament to the hard work put in by Reeco and Omron. This further development in our relationship opens up even more opportunities for us to collaborate and position the UK as a force in the manufacturing sector for years to come.”

Reeco’s partnership with Omron began in 2020, and since then has gone from strength to strength. The collaboration over the introduction of the RB1200 palletiser has highlighted the capabilities of the parties’ joint efforts in creating solutions that deliver real application value.

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The enlarged space will enable Reeco to have dedicated factory areas for assembly and metal work, cutting and welding. It will also provide extra office accommodation and a dedicated training centre. The company has also increased its workforce in the last 18 months from 8 to 22 and expects to recruit further as the additional space allows it to take on more projects.

Reeco is a turnkey solutions provider for collaborative robots – known as cobots – integrating technology on to production lines for many different sectors including automotive, food and beverage and logistics. Customers include Ford, Rolls-Royce, Honeywell and Unilever. It was also recently selected by Omron, a global industrial automation vendor, as its first Omron Solutions Partner.

Reeco was founded in August 2016 by managing director Llewelyn Rees. Before setting up Reeco, Llewelyn spent 15 years working in industrial robot technology. He said: “This is a hugely exciting time for Reeco and for cobot technology which is helping businesses across many different sectors solve every day problems.

“Industrial automation is now an integral part of many sectors including automotive and packaging. There is a much greater understanding of how cobots can complement the human workforce, releasing employees to work on more valuable, skilled tasks while the cobots handle the more repetitive requirements.

Reeco is also committed to creating jobs, from apprentices to more experienced engineers, in the Mid-Wales area. Llewelyn said: “We have already taken on a number of apprentices and work closely with the local colleges and universities.

“The expansion of our premises to include the dedicated training centre will provide further scope for us to introduce students to the world of cobot technology and demonstrate that you can live in rural Wales and work in the technology sector. The training centre will also be invaluable for demonstrating the technology and its many applications to our customers and partners.”

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