
The deal rescues a promising automation technology, strengthening North American fulfillment infrastructure and expanding LaFayette's portfolio in a rapidly growing e‑commerce logistics market.
Warehouse automation is entering a phase of consolidation as larger system integrators absorb niche innovators. Attabotics' patented cube‑storage architecture promises higher density and faster pick rates than traditional shelving, a capability increasingly demanded by e‑commerce giants facing space constraints. By integrating this technology with LaFayette's extensive conveyor, robotics, and software expertise, the combined entity can offer end‑to‑end fulfillment solutions that reduce capital expenditure and improve order‑to‑ship times, positioning them ahead of competitors still reliant on legacy racking systems.
The acquisition also signals a broader industry trend: rescuing financially distressed innovators to preserve intellectual property and accelerate time‑to‑market. LaFayette’s stable balance sheet mitigates the risk of supply chain disruptions that previously plagued Attabotics customers after its bankruptcy filing. Retaining key engineers and manufacturing staff in Calgary ensures continuity of product quality while leveraging LaFayette’s U.S. service network for faster support and parts availability. This synergy is likely to attract mid‑size distributors and large retailers seeking reliable, scalable automation without the integration headaches of piecemeal solutions.
Looking forward, the revived Attabotics platform could play a pivotal role in the next wave of hyper‑efficient fulfillment centers, especially as omnichannel strategies demand rapid, accurate order fulfillment across multiple SKUs. Participation in MODEX provides a high‑visibility stage to demonstrate real‑world performance gains and to secure partnerships with system integrators and logistics providers. If LaFayette successfully marries Attabotics' innovative hardware with its own software and services, the combined offering may set a new benchmark for modular, high‑density warehouse automation, influencing investment decisions across the logistics sector.
Attabotics, a provider of robotic cube storage solutions for goods-to-person warehouse applications, announced today it will restart operations as part of LaFayette Systems.
LaFayette is a privately owned, closely held organization with a decades-long reputation as a trusted partner in material handling automation. The company acquired Attabotics in September 2025, establishing a strong foundation to further develop, deploy and support Attabotics’ patented technologies, LaFayette System said.
Calgary, Alberta, Canada-based Attabotics filed for bankruptcy protection in Canada last summer, and shed most of its workforce at that time, according to multiple media reports. Now LaFayette Systems says that under its ownership, Attabotics gains a stable financial foundation, engineering and domain expertise to enhance customer support, with a leadership team that combines a mix of legacy Attabotics staff and material handling industry veterans.
“As we begin this new chapter, our goal is simple: pair the exceptional technology from Attabotics with LaFayette’s warehouse automation expertise and customer-first culture,” says Bruce Robbins, who founded LaFayette in 1989. “We believe that combination brings the right focus and discipline to the technology and allows us to deliver reliable, long-term value for our customers.”
The existing Attabotics facility in Calgary will continue to house key engineering, business and manufacturing functions. The new Attabotics leadership team is a deliberate balance of deep institutional knowledge and fresh perspectives. Legacy team members Mark Dickinson, John Hickman and Derek Fortier remain with the organization, with Dickinson leading overall strategy and operations, Hickman heading manufacturing and Fortier overseeing supply chain management. Several veteran Attabotics engineers also remain on staff, preserving specialized technical expertise. Joining the team to lead sales and software is Art Eldred, who brings over 30 years of material handling experience at Vargo, Dematic and Intelligrated.
“Attabotics was built on innovative technology and strong engineering, and now as part of LaFayette Systems, we have the support to fully realize its potential,” says Mark Dickinson, Senior Vice President and General Manager, and part of the Attabotics team since 2020. “We’re focused on accelerating development, improving reliability and listening to what matters to customers, so that we can meet demand for technology that simplifies complex fulfillment operations.”
LaFayette Systems maintains a coast-to-coast U.S. presence through its family of companies, including: LaFayette Engineering, which specializes in conveyor and sortation software and controls; Mesh Automation, a provider of industrial robotics and machine vision solutions; Century Conveyor Systems, which focuses on the northeast U.S. to provide conveyor system design and integration, installation and on-site maintenance services; and Kendale Industries, a custom metal fabricator focused on material handling components and accessories.
LaFayette Systems stressed its core mission is to serve as a true customer advocate. That includes immediate problem solving as soon as an issue arises and providing the transparency to recommend alternative solutions – even when the best path forward lies outside the group’s own portfolio. This commitment extends to Attabotics, and each employee signs a pledge to uphold these values.
For those planning to attend the upcoming MODEX trade show in Atlanta, April 13-16, visit Attabotics at booth C14787.
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