On Robot expands in Europe

On Robot, a Danish manufacturer of robotic grippers, benefits from the cross-industry use of collaborative robot arms. As a result, demand for the flexible, safe, and user-friendly 2-finger grippers is also increasing. To continue fostering this growth, Kenneth Bruun Henriksen has now been appointed as Area Sales Manager Europe. With his solid export experience, he is expected to further expand the sales network. Due to increased production and employee growth, On Robot has now moved into new premises for its headquarters in Odense.

The demand for flexible grippers for collaborative robots is rising for On Robot, an innovative young company based in Denmark. The manufacturer of the RG2 gripper specializes in flexible, user-friendly grippers that are easy to install without prior programming knowledge. On Robot is another successful company from the Robot Valley in Odense, Denmark, founded in 2015 by Bilge Jacob Christiansen, previously with Universal Robots, and Ebbe Overgaard Fuglsang.

The sales of the RG2 grippers are handled through a widespread system of 33 partners. Kenneth Bruun Henriksen has taken on responsibility for this, bringing over ten years of management experience in technology, trade, and export. "Kenneth Bruun Henriksen joined us at the right time, as the market for collaborative robots is booming like never before. He has both the right entrepreneurial attitude and strong international experience," says Torben Ekvall, CEO of On Robot, about the support on board of the company.

"The demand for our grippers is very high in countries like Germany and France, where the automotive industry and its subcontractors dominate. But we are also seeing very good numbers in Denmark, where increasing competitiveness through automation is the focus," says Kenneth Bruun Henriksen, Area Sales Manager Europe, who also joined On Robot as its seventh employee.

On Growth Path

The goal for 2017 is to expand the sales network by 20 more partners in Europe alone. Worldwide, On Robot has established distribution in more than 40 countries, including a new branch in the USA led by Gary Eliasson. With this, the company aims to prepare for the enormous growth in the collaborative robot segment, also called cobots. Industry surveys predict that the cobot market will grow from a total value of 175 million euros in 2016 to 3.6 billion euros in 2021 (Source: Research and Markets).

On Robot sold its first collaborative grippers in 2015. Due to steady growth, the company recently moved into a larger building in southwestern Odense. Currently, On Robot is looking for three new robot specialists for software development and technical support.

User-Friendly and Collaborative as Key Features

The entrepreneurial, young spirit of the company also appeals to the new Area Sales Manager: "I enjoy helping to build something. Here at On Robot, there is a driving force and an innovative spirit. On Robot has a groundbreaking product. The future prospects and opportunities for automation are diverse, and I am excited to be part of this journey. I am also thrilled by the great interest from sales partners, integrators, and machine builders to market our product. They find it easy to handle because it is a collaborative plug & play product," explains Kenneth Bruun Henriksen.

On Robot's grippers are characterized by a quick and simple integration phase and are also collaborative. For a product to be classified as collaborative, it must meet three criteria: First, the cooperation must be safe for humans. Second, it must be user-friendly and easy to install, program, and operate. Third, the product must be profitable and effective. "The RG2 meets all these criteria," states Kenneth Bruun Henriksen. "Furthermore, 'Made in Denmark' is an international quality mark. Here in Denmark, we have a talent for designing and developing quality products that offer intuitive operation. I often see how quickly users are convinced when I demonstrate the RG2 at trade shows or with new dealers," the Area Sales Manager adds.

Two Hands on One Arm

The RG2 gripper, resembling a hand with two fingers, is mounted on the wrist of the collaborative robot arm, a Cobot. Additionally, it is possible to mount two grippers on a collaborative robot arm using a special attachment. This is used, among other things, in machine factories where a robot supplies a CNC machine. The 2-finger gripper from On Robot can remove a finished element from the CNC machine and add a new one in the same movement. This can often halve waiting times and free up employee resources for other tasks. This time saving is especially advantageous for industries operating in markets with thin margins and high competition. At the same time, the RG2 gripper's programming is so easy to adjust that it can be successfully used for high-mix, low-volume productions.