Symbotic Inc. (Nasdaq: SYM), a leader in A.I.-enabled robotics
technology for the supply chain, today announced it has agreed to
acquire the Advanced Systems and Robotics business from Walmart
(NYSE: WMT). This transaction expands the long-standing
relationship between Walmart and Symbotic with the aim of
developing an integrated automated supply chain.
Walmart has chosen Symbotic to develop, build and deploy an
advanced solution leveraging Symbotic’s A.I.-enabled robotics
platform to offer Walmart customers greater shopping convenience
through accelerated online pickup and delivery options at stores.
Symbotic will engage in a development program funded by Walmart to
enhance current online pickup and delivery fulfillment systems as
well as to design new systems to meet the needs of current and
future customers. If performance criteria are achieved, Walmart is
committed to purchasing and deploying systems for 400 APDs at
stores over a multi-year period, with Walmart’s option to add
additional APDs in the coming years. Associated with the
development program, Walmart will pay Symbotic a total of $520
million, including $230 million at closing.
The transaction and new agreements could increase Symbotic’s
future backlog by more than $5 billion and adds a micro-fulfillment
solution that expands its addressable market by more than $300
billion in the United States alone.
Total consideration for the acquisition is $200 million in cash
at close, subject to customary adjustments, and up to $350 million
in additional contingent consideration in future periods dependent
upon the quantity of APD systems ordered.
“This is a highly strategic transaction for Symbotic as we
expand upon our long-term relationship with Walmart and broaden our
product offering beyond the traditional warehouse to eCommerce
settings for last mile delivery,” said Rick Cohen, Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer of Symbotic.
Symbotic has played a critical role in enabling Walmart to
automate its vast supply chain since 2017 and is currently
deploying its software and robotics platform across all 42 of
Walmart’s regional distribution centers in the U.S. Bringing
Symbotic’s expertise and technology platform to the APD is a
natural extension of this work and allows Walmart to utilize its
stores to fulfill eCommerce orders through pickup and delivery more
efficiently, economically, and accurately. Approximately 90% of the
U.S. population lives within 10 miles of Walmart’s more than 4,600
stores. Walmart’s store-fulfilled deliveries grew nearly 50%
year-over-year, surpassing a $2.5 billion monthly run rate, during
its quarter ended October 31, 2024.
“We’re excited about what this means for our customers. We
anticipate the synergy between Symbotic’s expertise and our nearly
decade-long relationship in innovating the supply chain
technologies to elevate customer service and rapidly advance our
in-store Accelerated Pickup and Delivery capabilities,” said Greg
Cathey, Senior Vice President of Transformation and Innovation at
Walmart.
The acquisition is anticipated to close in Symbotic’s fiscal
second quarter of 2025.
Citi served as financial advisor to Symbotic.
WEBCAST INFORMATION
Symbotic will host a webcast today at 8 a.m. ET to discuss the
acquisition of Walmart’s Advanced Systems and Robotics business.
The webcast link is:
https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/rjiibzn9.
ABOUT SYMBOTIC
Symbotic is an automation technology leader reimagining the
supply chain with its end-to-end, A.I.-powered robotic and software
platform. Symbotic reinvents the warehouse as a strategic asset for
the world’s largest retail, wholesale, and food & beverage
companies. Applying next-generation technology, high-density
storage and machine learning to solve today's complex distribution
challenges, Symbotic enables companies to move goods with unmatched
speed, agility, accuracy and efficiency. As the backbone of
commerce, Symbotic transforms the flow of goods and the economics
of the supply chain for its customers. For more information, visit
www.symbotic.com.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This communication contains forward-looking statements within
the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995, including, but are not limited to, our expectations or
predictions of future financial or business performance or
conditions. Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to
risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Generally, statements that
are not historical facts, including statements concerning our
possible or assumed future actions, business strategies, events,
backlog, or results of operations, are forward-looking statements.
These statements may be preceded by, followed by or include the
words “believes,” “estimates,” “expects,” “projects,” “forecasts,”
“may,” “will,” “should,” “seeks,” “plans,” “scheduled,”
“anticipates,” or “intends” or similar expressions. Such
forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that may
cause actual events, results or performance to differ materially
from those indicated by such statements. Certain of these risks are
identified and discussed in Symbotic’s filings with the U.S.
Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including the
sections titled “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”
contained therein. These risk factors will be important to consider
in determining future results and should be reviewed in their
entirety. These forward-looking statements are expressed in good
faith, and Symbotic believes there is a reasonable basis for them.
However, there can be no assurance that the events, results or
trends identified in these forward-looking statements will occur or
be achieved. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date
they are made, and Symbotic is not under any obligation, and
expressly disclaims any obligation, to update, alter or otherwise
revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new
information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.
Readers should carefully review the statements set forth in the
reports, which Symbotic has filed or will file from time to time
with the SEC.
In addition to factors previously disclosed in Symbotic’s
filings with the SEC and those identified elsewhere in this
communication, the following factors, among others, could cause
actual results to differ materially from forward-looking statements
or historical performance: failure to realize the benefits expected
from the transactions described herein (the “Transactions”);
business disruption following the Transactions; the occurrence of
any event, change or other circumstance that could give rise to the
termination of the agreements entered into in connection with the
Transactions; the effect of the announcement of the Transactions on
Symbotic’s business relationships, performance, and business
generally; the amount of the costs, fees, expenses and other
charges related to the Transactions; and other consequences
associated with joint ventures and legislative and regulatory
actions and reforms.
Any financial projections in this communication are
forward-looking statements that are based on assumptions that are
inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies,
many of which are beyond Symbotic’s control. While all projections
are necessarily speculative, Symbotic believes that the preparation
of prospective financial information involves increasingly higher
levels of uncertainty the further out the projection extends from
the date of preparation. The assumptions and estimates underlying
the projected results are inherently uncertain and are subject to a
wide variety of significant business, economic and competitive
risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ
materially from those contained in the projections. The inclusion
of projections in this communication should not be regarded as an
indication that Symbotic or its representatives considered or
consider the projections to be a reliable prediction of future
events.
Annualized, pro forma, projected and estimated numbers are used
for illustrative purposes only, are not forecasts and may not
reflect actual results.
This communication is not intended to be all-inclusive or to
contain all the information that a person may desire in considering
an investment in Symbotic and is not intended to form the basis of
an investment decision in Symbotic. All subsequent written and oral
forward-looking statements concerning Symbotic, the proposed
Transactions or other matters and attributable to Symbotic or any
person acting on their behalf are expressly qualified in their
entirety by the cautionary statements above.
INVESTOR RELATIONS CONTACT
Charlie AndersonVice President, Investor Relations &
Corporate Development ir@symbotic.com
MEDIA INQUIRIESmediainquiry@symbotic.com
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