Rethink Robotics announces female-led leadership team

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CEO Julia Astrid Riemenschneider (left) and COO Franziska Lorenz of Rethink Robotics. | Source: Rethink Robotics

Six years after closing its doors, Rethink Robotics Inc. relaunched in September with a new line of collaborative robot arms, autonomous mobile robots, and a mobile manipulator. Today, the company unveiled its new leadership team. Effective immediately, Julia Astrid Riemenschneider has been appointed chief executive officer, and Franziska Lorenz is chief operations officer.

Top priorities for Riemenschneider and Lorenz will include delivering innovative technologies in collaborative robots, overseeing the installation of Rethink Robotics’ North American headquarters, and expanding the team. By the end of 2025, the company plans to triple its team size, open a U.S. headquarters, and relocate robot production from Europe to the U.S.

“There is huge opportunity for our products in the North American manufacturing market, and we are excited to be working on our first installations as we grow our network of partners, distributors, and integrators,” said Riemenschneider. “I am honored to be in the position to lead a team that will challenge the status quo, help manufacturers solve challenges through automation, and empower our business partners for sustainable growth.”

In the 10 years Rethink Robotics was in operation before it shut down in 2018, it raised $150 million and released the well-known Baxter and Sawyer cobots. After shutting down, German automation and robotics specialist HAHN Group acquired the IP and trademarks for Rethink’s Sawyer cobot and Intera software.

Now, Rethink is under the United Robotics Group umbrella of HAHN Group.

The company’s newly introduced product line includes collaborative robots in payloads ranging from 7 to 30 kg (15 to 66 lb.), two autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), and a mobile manipulator robot (MMR). Rethink said it designed the robots for increased precision, speed, and reliability, making them highly capable for industrial applications.

Riemenschneider and Lorenz take the reins at Rethink 

The new Reacher collaborative robot arms from Rethink Robotics. | Credit: Rethink Robotics

As CEO, Riemenschneider, M.Sc., is responsible for managing all customer-facing related departments, including marketing, sales, business development, product development, and application engineering. She brings more than 10 years of business development experience in industrial automation.

Prior to Rethink Robotics, Riemenschneider grew the business-development organization for United Robotics Group in Europe and the U.S. She previously worked in the U.S. for an international sensor manufacturer. This followed Europe-based business-development roles with a machine vision manufacturer and collaborative robot market leader Universal Robots.

Lorenz was previously responsible for corporate development and compliance at HAHN Automation Group, United Robotics Group, and Schenck Process Group. She holds a master’s degree in international business administration. Lorenz said she brings extensive international experience from her studies and professional work in Italy, Spain, and Mexico.

“With Rethink Robotics being based in the U.S., we are excited to create high-tech American jobs,” stated Lorenz. “It is our goal to provide opportunities for motivated and experienced talents to rethink and employ collaborative robots to help solve today’s manufacturing challenges.”

She recently spent 18 months at Robotnik, a manufacturer of indoor and outdoor mobile robots in Valencia, Spain. Lorenz managed its integration into United Robotics Group. She has managed numerous company acquisitions and is an expert in developing strategies and implementing organizational structures.

In addition, Rethink said Lorenz brings extensive administrative expertise to her role. In her new role as chief operations officer, Lorenz will be managing the company‘s human resources, finance, production, and service units. She said she is “looking forward to creating a diverse team as the foundation of success.”

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