Cimcorp Celebrates 50 Years

2025 marks the 50-year anniversary of Cimcorp’s first commercial robot sale. What started out as Rosenlew’s internal tool factory has grown to a global system integrator and market leader in intralogistics automation – thanks to an open-minded approach to innovation.

From picture tubes to paint tinting and ship welding to warehousing, Cimcorp has never shied away from new perspectives to automation. Versatility has been the key to breaking into growing industries as well as adapting to the changing world.

Since 2014, Cimcorp’s journey has continued as a member of Murata Machinery.

While Cimcorp has covered many areas during its five decades, truly focusing on their chosen industries has allowed the company to dive deep into the needs and challenges of each one. This ensures the solutions and services are built with the client and their business in mind.

“We have the right amount of humility to approach the client with presence and open ears. This is something we are often thanked for”, says Tero Peltomäki, CEO of Cimcorp 2021–2024.

Going global has been the only option for Cimcorp. The ethos dates all the way back to Rosenlew, who were eager to grow outside of Finland. After being acquired by Wärtsilä in 1986, Cimcorp continued to expand into international markets and diversify its product offerings.

“Our strategic starting point has always been that whatever we do with automation, the domestic market is too small. If we wish to grow, we need to pick a clear focus and take it abroad,” says former CEO Kari Ollila, who led Cimcorp from 1987 to 2007.

Since the times of Rosenlew, Cimcorp had been present in North America. Today, the company provides local services both in Canada and in USA. The forming of a German branch in 1990 enhanced the ability to serve customers across Europe, the branch was reopened after few years of break in 2021. Germany, along with Spain, remains one of Cimcorp’s European home locations. The India office was established in 2019, and the next expansion will take place in the UK market.

In the 1980s and 90s, Cimcorp was the leading automation provider for the picture tube industry. A sales office in Seoul strengthened the company’s position in the Asian market.

‘As we celebrate 50 years of innovation, we are reminded that success comes from staying curious, embracing change, and learning from the challenges of the past. These values will guide us into the future’ — Veli-Matti Hakala, CEO of Cimcorp

“The vital step was to be present in Asia and South Korea right when investments gained momentum. Companies realized early on that they would not reach the quality asked of them unless they automated their processes,” says Kari Ollila.

Acquisition by Swisslog Holding AG in 1996 gave Cimcorp greater resources and a broader market reach.

By the new millennium, Cimcorp had solidified its position as a global leader in automation, serving a diverse range of industries from automotive and electronics to paint and logistics. The ability to adapt to diverse needs saved the business when the picture tube industry, once so profitable, began to lose traction. By then, other industries already made up a significant amount of Cimcorp’s business.

“The prediction was that the picture tube industry would wither over several years, but in reality, it collapsed almost overnight,” Ollila remembers.

2025 marks the 50-year anniversary of Cimcorp’s first commercial robot sale.

Technology first created in the 1990s has proved essential to Cimcorp’s main industries today. Modular robotic systems offer tire manufacturers much-needed flexibility and scalability. Automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RS), on the other hand, have revolutionized warehouse operations and rapid handling of goods.

The MultiPick system, an automated gantry able to pick stacks as well as individual crates or items, is a key component of success in both areas.

“The MultiPick started out as sketches on a piece of graph paper. It felt great to see the first ones be sold to companies such as Hartwall, Valio and Fazer. The concept remains valid to this day”, Tero Peltomäki shares.

Breaking through to the tire industry as well as the warehouse and distribution industry in the 2000s paved the way for successful years ahead. Since 2014, Cimcorp’s journey has continued as a member of Murata Machinery.

“Gaining a strong foothold in our chosen industries has probably involved some luck, but at the end of the day, it’s the result of persistent effort, learning, and hard work,” says Kari Ollila.