Grant Thornton Stax Advises Ares and Automated Industrial Robotics on KAON Automation Acquisition​

Grant Thornton Stax Advises Ares and Automated Industrial Robotics on KAON Automation Acquisition​

January 12, 2026
January 12, 2026

Share

Grant Thornton Stax congratulates Ares Management and its portfolio company, Automated Industrial Robotics Inc. (AIR), on its recent acquisition of KAON Automation, an Ireland-based industrial automation company that delivers advanced automation solutions for leading manufacturing companies globally. We are proud to have supported Ares and AIR with our investment advisory services in this successful transaction. ​

Founded in 2005 and headquartered in Sligo, Ireland, KAON has built a strong reputation for delivering highly customized automation solutions to medical and life sciences manufacturers, particularly in regulated production environments. The company specializes in designing and integrating automated production lines using modular system architectures that support flexible, scalable, and repeatable manufacturing. KAON is known for its expertise in intelligent conveyor systems, enabling high-throughput operations where precision, consistency, and uptime are critical.​

Leveraging experience in central transport platforms and aseptic filling, KAON has also developed next-generation solutions that combine high-speed filling with zero-touch changeover. With a focus on technical excellence and innovation, KAON partners with leading component suppliers to deliver high-quality, efficient automation systems that enhance productivity while helping customers optimize capital investment.​

Contact the Stax team to learn more:

KAON logo
KAON logo
Ares logo
Ares logo
AIR logo
AIR logo
KAON logo
Ares logo
AIR logo
Joel Slater

Managing Director

Managing Director

About Grant Thornton Stax

Grant Thornton Stax is a global management consulting firm serving corporate and private equity clients across a broad range of industries including software/technology, industrials, business and information services, healthcare and HCIT, consumer, and tradeshows and events. 

Read More

Featured by Carta: After the “SaaS-pocalypse,” a new era begins for PE-backed software companies
By Palash Misra August 14, 2026
Palash Misra met with Carta to discuss the role of AI in SaaS investment and how investors are reprioritizing what they value in a business. Read the feature here.
Grant Thornton Stax Supports MainSail Partners in the Strategic Combination of MirrorWeb and Red Oak
August 7, 2026
Grant Thornton Stax is proud to have supported MainSail Partners in the strategic combination of MirrorWeb and Red Oak. Click to read more. ​
MSMs: Separating Durable Platforms from Disruptable Networks
By Tyler Veit & Kate Philbrick July 22, 2026
Multi-stakeholder models sit at an attractive intersection of fragmented markets and PE investors are looking to capitalize. Click here to read our latest insights on MSMs.
Grant Thornton Stax Provides Sell-side Support to Inspectorio on Investment by Apax
July 16, 2026
Grant Thornton Stax congratulates Inspectorio, a production-chain management platform, on its growth investment by Apax Digital Funds, the growth equity arm of Apax. Read more here.
From System of Record to System of Evidence: The Next Competitive Advantage in Vertical Software
By Kelsey Chisholm July 10, 2026
Competitive advantage in vertical software is increasingly becoming more prioritized. Read more to see how this shift is transforming software platforms.
Why Crane Services Is Becoming an Attractive Investment Opportunity for Private Equity
By Tyler Veit & Kate Philbrick July 10, 2026
The crane services sector is entering a new phase of investor attention as a result of several factors. Read about how cranes are offering new investment opportunities here.
Show More