Cross-Sector Strategy

Automation

Uncovering opportunities in emerging technologies

From physical technologies like robotics or digital technologies like artificial intelligence, to hybrid technologies like the Internet of Things (IoT), automation can provide solutions to critical challenges, including labor shortages, inflation, supply chain constraints, deglobalization and sustainability. We believe it will also be a major driver of economic growth and job creation in decades to come.

We believe we are the first private equity firm with a fund dedicated to automation, THL supports management teams with extensive experience, relationships and resources focused on our automation franchise.

Automation’s industry impact

Data shows that automation is still in the early stages of penetration across a variety of industries where THL has built deep sector expertise and relationships, including: 

  • Agriculture
  • Construction
  • Content
  • CPG / Retail
  • E-Commerce
  • Healthcare
  • Insurance
  • Logistics
  • Manufacturing
  • Semiconductors
  • Sports

Across these markets, automation is projected to be a key source of economic growth and create more than 12 million net-new jobs by 2025 (source: Harvard Business Review).

THL’s Automation Franchise

Automation isn’t just an industry sector. It’s a thesis about transformation across all industries. Learn about some of THL’s automation partners—innovative companies transforming our world through the creative application of software, hardware and hybrid technology.
<strong>Bynder Announces Majority Investment from Thomas H. Lee Partners</strong>
Press Release
Bynder Announces Majority Investment from Thomas H. Lee Partners 

Partnership will support continued product innovation and customer growth AMSTERDAM–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Bynder (“the company”), a global leader in Digital Asset Management (DAM), today announced that it will receive a majority investment from Thomas H. Lee Partners, L.P. (“THL”), a premier private equity firm investing in growth companies. The partnership will accelerate Bynder’s ability to help brands overcome the complexity of
IoT Automation Pioneer KINEXON Raises $130m in Funding Round Led by Thomas H. Lee Partners
Press Release
IoT Automation Pioneer KINEXON Raises $130m in Funding Round Led by Thomas H. Lee Partners 

Funding enables KINEXON to accelerate international expansion and scale its operating system for connected and automated operationsBMW i Ventures and Telekom Innovation Pool co-invest and announce commercial partnerships MUNICH & BOSTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–KINEXON, a leader in connected and automated processes, today announced a successful $130 Million Series A fundraise. Thomas H. Lee Partners, L.P. (“THL”), a premier private equity
MHS and Fortna to Combine to Create Global eCommerce and Logistics Automation Leader
Press Release
MHS and Fortna to Combine to Create Global eCommerce and Logistics Automation Leader 

Complementary automation technology, software and engineering expertise LOUISVILLE, KY. and ATLANTA, GA. (April 18, 2022) – MHS Global (“MHS”), a leading global provider of material handling automation technology and systems integration, and Fortna (“Fortna”), a leading software and solutions provider for warehouse and distribution, will combine to form a multi-billion-dollar, multinational company providing parcel, warehouse and
Thomas H. Lee Partners Announces Growth Investment in Carpe Data
Press Release
Thomas H. Lee Partners Announces Growth Investment in Carpe Data 

BOSTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Thomas H. Lee Partners, L.P. (“THL”), a premier private equity firm investing in middle market growth companies, today announced that it has made a strategic growth investment in Carpe Data (“the Company”), a provider of innovative emerging and alternative data products for the insurance industry. With the investment, THL will become the majority shareholder of Carpe Data.
Qventus Announces $50 Million Growth Capital Round Led by THL and Strategic Partnership with Premier, Inc.
Press Release
Qventus Announces $50 Million Growth Capital Round Led by THL and Strategic Partnership with Premier, Inc. 

Investment and partnership position Qventus to expand its market presence and technology offering February 28, 2022 08:00 AM Eastern Standard Time MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Qventus, Inc. (“Qventus” or the “Company”), the leading provider of AI-powered software for care operations, today announced a growth investment led by Thomas H. Lee Partners, L.P. (“THL”), a premier private equity firm
Thomas H. Lee Partners to Acquire Automation Business from Brooks Automation for $3 Billion in Cash
Press Release
Thomas H. Lee Partners to Acquire Automation Business from Brooks Automation for $3 Billion in Cash 

Boston, MA – September 20, 2021 – Thomas H. Lee Partners, L.P. (“THL”), a premier private equity firm investing in growth companies, today announced a definitive agreement with Brooks Automation, Inc. (“Brooks”) to acquire its Semiconductor Solutions Group business (or “automation business”) in a transaction valued at $3 billion. The transaction is expected to close in
SoftBank to Acquire 40% of AutoStore: Investment Reinforces AutoStore’s Global Automation Leadership
Press Release
SoftBank to Acquire 40% of AutoStore: Investment Reinforces AutoStore’s Global Automation Leadership 

SoftBank to acquire 40% of AutoStore for $2.8 billion, valuing AutoStore at a $7.7 billion enterprise valueSoftBank accelerates AutoStore’s global expansion, with particular emphasis on the Asia Pacific region, and complements leading automation investor baseThomas H. Lee Partners, L.P. continues to be AutoStore’s majority shareholder Nedre Vats, Norway, April 5, 2021 – AutoStore, a leading global robotics
Thomas H. Lee Partners Raises $900 Million for Automation-Focused Private Equity Fund
Press Release
Thomas H. Lee Partners Raises $900 Million for Automation-Focused Private Equity Fund 

BOSTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Thomas H. Lee Partners, L.P. (“THL”), a premier private equity firm investing in middle market growth companies, today announced the final close of THL Automation Fund. L.P. (“the Fund”) at $900 million. The Fund will back automation companies, including technology product, software and services businesses, that enhance productivity across a range of end markets
<strong>Bynder Announces Majority Investment from Thomas H. Lee Partners</strong>
Press Release
Bynder Announces Majority Investment from Thomas H. Lee Partners 

Partnership will support continued product innovation and customer growth AMSTERDAM–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Bynder (“the company”), a global leader in Digital Asset Management (DAM), today announced that it will receive a majority investment from Thomas H. Lee Partners, L.P. (“THL”), a premier private equity firm investing in growth companies. The partnership will accelerate Bynder’s ability to help brands overcome the complexity of
IoT Automation Pioneer KINEXON Raises $130m in Funding Round Led by Thomas H. Lee Partners
Press Release
IoT Automation Pioneer KINEXON Raises $130m in Funding Round Led by Thomas H. Lee Partners 

Funding enables KINEXON to accelerate international expansion and scale its operating system for connected and automated operationsBMW i Ventures and Telekom Innovation Pool co-invest and announce commercial partnerships MUNICH & BOSTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–KINEXON, a leader in connected and automated processes, today announced a successful $130 Million Series A fundraise. Thomas H. Lee Partners, L.P. (“THL”), a premier private equity
MHS and Fortna to Combine to Create Global eCommerce and Logistics Automation Leader
Press Release
MHS and Fortna to Combine to Create Global eCommerce and Logistics Automation Leader 

Complementary automation technology, software and engineering expertise LOUISVILLE, KY. and ATLANTA, GA. (April 18, 2022) – MHS Global (“MHS”), a leading global provider of material handling automation technology and systems integration, and Fortna (“Fortna”), a leading software and solutions provider for warehouse and distribution, will combine to form a multi-billion-dollar, multinational company providing parcel, warehouse and
Thomas H. Lee Partners Announces Growth Investment in Carpe Data
Press Release
Thomas H. Lee Partners Announces Growth Investment in Carpe Data 

BOSTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Thomas H. Lee Partners, L.P. (“THL”), a premier private equity firm investing in middle market growth companies, today announced that it has made a strategic growth investment in Carpe Data (“the Company”), a provider of innovative emerging and alternative data products for the insurance industry. With the investment, THL will become the majority shareholder of Carpe Data.
Thomas H. Lee Partners Acquires Intelligent Medical Objects
Press Release
Thomas H. Lee Partners Acquires Intelligent Medical Objects 

 Investment will support expanded product development and go-to-market activities ROSEMONT, Ill. & BOSTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Thomas H. Lee Partners, L.P. (“THL”), a premier private equity firm investing in growth companies, announced today that it has entered into an agreement to acquire a majority interest in Intelligent Medical Objects (“IMO,” or “the Company”), a healthcare data enablement company and market
Qventus Announces $50 Million Growth Capital Round Led by THL and Strategic Partnership with Premier, Inc.
Press Release
Qventus Announces $50 Million Growth Capital Round Led by THL and Strategic Partnership with Premier, Inc. 

Investment and partnership position Qventus to expand its market presence and technology offering February 28, 2022 08:00 AM Eastern Standard Time MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Qventus, Inc. (“Qventus” or the “Company”), the leading provider of AI-powered software for care operations, today announced a growth investment led by Thomas H. Lee Partners, L.P. (“THL”), a premier private equity firm
Thomas H. Lee Partners to Acquire Automation Business from Brooks Automation for $3 Billion in Cash
Press Release
Thomas H. Lee Partners to Acquire Automation Business from Brooks Automation for $3 Billion in Cash 

Boston, MA – September 20, 2021 – Thomas H. Lee Partners, L.P. (“THL”), a premier private equity firm investing in growth companies, today announced a definitive agreement with Brooks Automation, Inc. (“Brooks”) to acquire its Semiconductor Solutions Group business (or “automation business”) in a transaction valued at $3 billion. The transaction is expected to close in
SoftBank to Acquire 40% of AutoStore: Investment Reinforces AutoStore’s Global Automation Leadership
Press Release
SoftBank to Acquire 40% of AutoStore: Investment Reinforces AutoStore’s Global Automation Leadership 

SoftBank to acquire 40% of AutoStore for $2.8 billion, valuing AutoStore at a $7.7 billion enterprise valueSoftBank accelerates AutoStore’s global expansion, with particular emphasis on the Asia Pacific region, and complements leading automation investor baseThomas H. Lee Partners, L.P. continues to be AutoStore’s majority shareholder Nedre Vats, Norway, April 5, 2021 – AutoStore, a leading global robotics
Thomas H. Lee Partners Raises $900 Million for Automation-Focused Private Equity Fund
Press Release
Thomas H. Lee Partners Raises $900 Million for Automation-Focused Private Equity Fund 

BOSTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Thomas H. Lee Partners, L.P. (“THL”), a premier private equity firm investing in middle market growth companies, today announced the final close of THL Automation Fund. L.P. (“the Fund”) at $900 million. The Fund will back automation companies, including technology product, software and services businesses, that enhance productivity across a range of end markets