Blackstone has agreed to make a significant investment in South Korean actuator maker Futronic, betting on growing demand for motion control technologies used in automotive and robotics applications.
The investment will be made through Blackstone’s affiliated private equity funds, the firm said on Monday. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Founded in 1993, Futronic develops high-precision actuators for global automotive manufacturers and industrial robotics customers. The company said it is increasingly working with customers in emerging mobility segments, including humanoid robots and broader automation. It operates primarily in South Korea and the US.
Founder Jin-ho Ko will remain chairman and chief executive officer following the transaction.
The deal underscores Blackstone’s focus on artificial intelligence-related investment themes beyond software and data centers. The firm said it sees motion control technologies as a key enabler of the convergence between AI and the physical world, including humanoid robotics and factory automation.
“Futronic represents the very best of Korea’s mechatronics industry, with impressive R&D and engineering capabilities that position it well for rapid growth across automotive and robotics markets,” said Eugene Cook, Blackstone’s head of Korea private equity, in the statement. “This partnership reinforces Blackstone’s commitment to backing visionary entrepreneurs and family-owned businesses, using our scale, operational expertise, and expert networks.”
Blackstone sees the convergence of artificial intelligence and the physical world as a major investment theme and expects Futronic’s motion control technology to benefit as humanoid robotics and automation gain traction, said Kyungmin Song, principal at Blackstone.
