Draft:Exotec

Exotec was founded in June 2015https://www.societe.com/societe/exotec-812878742.html by Renaud Heitz and Romain Moulin[https://www.usine-digitale.fr/article/logistique-exotec-portrait-d-un-robot-100-francais-qui-facilite-la-vie-des-e-commercants.N471153 Logistics: Exotec, portrait of a 100% French robot], L'Usine Digitale, December 1, 2016, both former employees of BA Systèmes[https://www.usine-digitale.fr/article/ces-six-robots-nes-de-start-up-seduisent-les-retailers-et-on-vous-dit-pourquoi.N539094 These six startup robots attract retailers – here's why], L'Usine Digitale, May 12, 2017. That same year, the company raised €340,000 from business angels.

Exotec developed an automated order-picking system consisting of a fleet of Skypod robots. These robots are equipped with rotating scanners for autonomous navigation. Using embedded software and a server named Fleet Control, the robots work in coordinated groups. The system primarily targets e-commerce in sectors such as culture, fashion, food, and retail, enabling store replenishment without on-site inventory. It reduces employee walking time and increases picking efficiency.

In December 2016, Exotec announced a second funding round of €3.3 million.

One of the first customers was Cdiscount, which implemented the Skypod system in Bordeaux in 2017[https://www.usine-digitale.fr/article/cdiscount-equipe-ses-entrepots-d-une-solution-robotique-futuriste-et-tricolore.N624428 Cdiscount adopts futuristic French robotics], L'Usine Digitale, December 7, 2017. For this project, Exotec and Cdiscount received the "David with Goliath" award in 2018[https://www.usine-digitale.fr/editorial/prix-david-avec-goliath-cdiscount-et-exotec-recompenses-pour-la-qualite-de-leur-collaboration.N766914 David with Goliath Award], L'Usine Digitale, November 8, 2018.

In June 2018, Exotec raised €15 million[https://www.usine-digitale.fr/article/exotec-solutions-leve-15-millions-d-euros-pour-robotiser-a-vitesse-grand-v-les-entrepots.N705344 Exotec raises €15 million], L'Usine Digitale, June 12, 2018 and moved production to Croix[https://www.lesechos.fr/tech-medias/intelligence-artificielle/exotec-robotise-la-logistique-des-e-commercants-137135 Exotec expands], Les Echos, August 28, 2018.

By 2019, Exotec had formed partnerships with AHS and Uniqlo[https://business.lesechos.fr/entrepreneurs/success-stories/0601869938178-renaud-heitz-et-romain-moulin-exotex-des-robots-a-l-assaut-des-entrepots-331686.php Partnerships with AHS and Uniqlo], Les Echos Business, September 17, 2019[https://www.usine-digitale.fr/article/le-japonais-uniqlo-choisit-le-francais-exotec-pour-robotiser-ses-entrepots.N903194 Uniqlo chooses French robotics], L'Usine Nouvelle, November 13, 2019.

In 2020, the company raised $90 million[https://www.usine-digitale.fr/article/le-lillois-exotec-createur-des-robots-skypod-leve-90-millions-de-dollars.N1010054 Exotec raises $90 million], L'Usine Digitale, September 29, 2020[https://www.lefigaro.fr/flash-eco/les-robots-lillois-d-exotec-levent-90-millions-de-dollars-20200929 Lille-based robots raise $90M], Le Figaro, September 29, 2020 and was included in the Next40 index in 2021[https://www.usine-digitale.fr/article/la-seconde-edition-des-ft120-et-next-40-accueille-30-nouveaux-entrants.N1058469 Second edition of FT120 and Next40 welcomes 30 newcomers], L'Usine Digitale, February 8, 2021. In January 2022, following a $335 million funding round, Exotec became France’s 25th unicornhttps://www.lesechos.fr/start-up/deals/robotique-exotec-devient-la-25e-licorne-de-la-french-tech-1379526.

Based on public data, Exotec's global revenues were as follows:{{Cite web |url=https://craft.co/exotec-solutions |title=Exotec Company Summary |access-date=2025-06-25}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.pappers.fr/entreprise/exotec-812878742 |title=Legal information of EXOTEC |access-date=2025-06-25}}

• 2022: €157 million
• 2023: €285 million
• 2024: €288 million

As of May 2025, Exotec operates in 6 countries and has installed over 135{{Cite web |url=https://roboticsandautomationnews.com/2024/12/13/exotecs-warehouse-robots-surpass-1-million-bin-retrieval-and-deliveries-daily-maintaining-99-percent-uptime/87674/ |title=Exotec surpasses 1 million daily deliveries |access-date=2025-06-24}} systems in more than 12{{Cite web |url=https://group.bnpparibas/en/news/how-exotecs-robots-are-transforming-the-warehouse-industry?utm_source=chatgpt.com |title=How Exotec’s robots are transforming warehouses |access-date=2025-06-24}} countries.

• France – Lille (HQ){{Cite web |url=https://www.bing.com/search?q=Lille%20exotec%20office |title=Exotec headquarters |access-date=2025-06-25}}
• Germany – Munich (Demo Center + Office){{Cite web |url=https://logistik-heute.de/fachmagazin/fachartikel/extra-news-automatisierung-exotec-zeigt-robotikloesungen-am-airport-muenchen-218708.html |title=Exotec in Munich |access-date=2025-06-25}}
• USA – Atlanta (Demo Center + Office){{Cite web |url=https://www.automatedwarehouseonline.com/exotec-expands-atlanta-headquarters-response-rapid-growth/ |title=Atlanta headquarters expanded |access-date=2025-06-25}}
• Japan – Tokyo (Demo Center + Office){{Cite web |url=https://www.robotics247.com/article/exotec_opens_tokyo_demo_center_to_showcase_skypod_system/ |title=Tokyo demo center |access-date=2025-06-25}}
• South Korea – Seoul (Demo Center + Office){{Cite web |url=https://www.automatedwarehouseonline.com/skypod-showroom-opens-in-seoul-at-exotecs-second-demo-center-in-asia/ |title=Seoul showroom |access-date=2025-06-25}}
• Austria – Graz (Office){{Cite web |url=https://www.maschinenmarkt.at/exotec-eroeffnet-niederlassung-in-oesterreich-a-de3d60d9223c634c2d6824b7c1c8733a/ |title=Exotec opens office in Austria |access-date=2025-06-25}}
• France – Lyon (R&D Lab){{Cite web |url=https://www.iris.vc/articles/exotec-opens-a-new-r-d-lab-in-lyon-france |title=New R&D lab in Lyon |access-date=2025-06-25}}

• France – Renault{{Cite web |url=https://automationspraxis.industrie.de/news/renault-group-automatisiert-logistikzentrum-mit-exotec/ |title=Renault automates with Exotec |access-date=2025-06-24}}
• Netherlands – Ceva Logistics{{Cite web |url=https://www.materialfluss.de/lager-und-kommissioniertechnik/transportroboter--energieneutrale-lagerlogistik-in-den-niederlanden.htm? |title=Sustainable logistics in the Netherlands |access-date=2025-06-24}}
• Poland – ILS European Logistics{{Cite web |url=https://ilslogistics.eu/en/2023/08/07/skypod-system-technology-will-support-logistics-at-ils/ |title=Skypod at ILS Poland |access-date=2025-06-24}}
• Italy – OdPlus{{Cite web |url=https://www.erreviautomation.com/case-studies/od/ |title=Advanced goods-to-person system |access-date=2025-06-24}}
• Spain – PCComponentes{{Cite web |url=https://www.xataka.com/n/hipnotico-ver-como-funciona-todo-centro-logistico-que-acaba-inaugurar-pccomponentes |title=PCComponentes logistics |access-date=2025-06-24}}
• Switzerland – Dosenbach-Ochsner{{Cite web |url=https://pressnetwork.de/dosenbach-will-mit-exotec-hoch-hinaus/ |title=Dosenbach aims high with Exotec |access-date=2025-06-24}}

• USA (Kentucky) – Gap Inc.{{Cite web |url=https://www.dcvelocity.com/articles/49948-exotec-skypod-system-adopted-by-gap-inc-to-optimize-returns-process |title=Gap adopts Skypod |access-date=2025-06-25}}
• USA (Michigan) – Lane Automotive{{Cite web |url=https://www.performanceracing.com/magazine/industry-news/01-30-2024/lane-automotive-installs-automated-warehouse-robotics-system |title=Lane Automotive installs Exotec |access-date=2025-06-26}}
• Canada (Montreal) – Decathlon{{Cite web |url=https://www.automatedwarehouseonline.com/decathlon-canada-adopts-exotec-skypod-system-just-in-time-for-holiday-peak/ |title=Decathlon Canada adopts Skypod |access-date=2025-06-25}}

• Japan (Nagoya) – Alps Logistics{{Cite web |url=https://www.logi-today.com/545197 |title=Alps introduces Skypod in Aichi |access-date=2025-06-25}}
• Japan (Tokyo) – Uniqlo{{Cite web |url=https://www.jetro.go.jp/en/invest/investment_environment/success_stories/exotec.html |title=Exotec and Japan’s workforce challenges |access-date=2025-06-25}}

File:2017-12-Logo-Exotec.svg|Logo 2017–2019

File:2019-11-Logo-Exotec.svg|Logo 2019–2022

File:Exotec-Wordmark-K.png|Logo since 2022

Since 2017, the logo features custom-designed typography.

• [https://www.exotec.com Official website]

Category:Robotics companies

Category:Companies of Hauts-de-France

Category:Companies established in 2015

Category:Croix, Nord

Category:Organizations based in Nord (French department)