Barcoding Buys Fred Automation

Barcoding Inc. has acquired Fred Automation Inc., an automated guided vehicle (AGV) company based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

• This acquisition represents continued expansion and investment in industrial automation for Barcoding Inc.

Fred Automation was spun out of ASI Technologies Inc. in April 2021. ASI is an electric wheel drive designer and manufacturer and developed its first prototype Fred AGV in 2017.

Fred Automation designs and manufactures AGVs in its facility just north of Philadelphia. It offers two AGVs, Fred and Freddie, and several different options for both simple point A-to-B material moves and complex maneuvers involving dozens of pick-up and drop-off points.

With this acquisition, Barcoding will target both manufacturing facilities and warehouses that have repeatable material handling processes for Fred and Freddie AGVs.

Following Barcoding’s process-people-technology approach and proprietary delivery framework, customers will benefit from solutioning that includes the right amount of automation for their unique applications.

Fred Automation prides itself on technology that is easy to deploy, durable, and targets a 12-month payback for most applications.

“The Barcoding team is thrilled to announce our acquisition of AGV company Fred Automation. Barcoding continues to focus on growth and innovation for our customers. With today’s labor challenges, AGVs like Fred and AMRs like those from Zebra Technologies are the right automation solutions to drive productivity and customer satisfaction,” said Shane Snyder, president of Barcoding.

“With our acquisition of Fred Automation, Barcoding is now the top solution provider for industrial automation in the AIDC space.”

The acquisition represents continued expansion and investment in industrial automation for Barcoding.

“We are excited to be partnering with Barcoding Inc. Their approach and strength in the market will allow us to introduce our AGV products to more companies across North America. We are eager to expand both production and services offerings for Fred and Freddie to help customers with their materials movement automation,” said Doug Fastuca, CEO of Fred Automation.