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Roomba maker iRobot files for bankruptcy, pursues manufacturer buyout
summer27 posted a topic in Discussions
iRobot files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in Delaware Firm struggles with lower-priced rivals, US tariffs iRobot to be bought by primary manufacturer Picea Robotics Dec 14 (Reuters) - iRobot (IRBT.O), opens new tab, the maker of the Roomba vacuum cleaner, filed for bankruptcy protection on Sunday, saying that it would go private after being bought by Picea Robotics, its primary manufacturer. The company, which raised concerns about staying in business in March, filed for Chapter 11 protection in Delaware bankruptcy court as it grapples with increased competition from lower-priced rivals and new U.S. tariffs. Learn about the latest breakthroughs in AI and tech with the Reuters Artificial Intelligencer newsletter. Sign up here. iRobot generated about $682 million in total revenue in 2024, but its profits have been eroded by competition from Chinese rivals like Ecovacs Robotics. iRobot remains dominant in key markets like the U.S. and Japan, but competition forced it to lower its prices and make substantial investments in technological upgrades, according to bankruptcy court filings. New U.S. tariffs have also harmed the company, especially a 46% levy on imports from Vietnam, where iRobot manufactures vacuum cleaners for the U.S. market. The tariffs raised the company’s costs by $23 million in 2025, while making it more difficult to plan for the future, according to iRobot's court filings. The company, which was the target of a thwarted $1.4 billion buyout by Amazon.com (AMZN.O), opens new tab, has about $190 million in debt. The debt stems from a 2023 loan that iRobot used to refinance its operations while a European competition investigation stalled the Amazon deal. After the Amazon deal fell apart and iRobot fell behind on payments to Picea, the China-based manufacturer acquired iRobot's debt from a group of investment funds managed by the Carlyle Group, according to court documents. Under iRobot's bankruptcy plan, Picea will take 100% of the company's equity and cancel the $190 million remaining on the 2023 loan, as well as an additional $74 million debt that iRobot owes to Picea under the companies' manufacturing agreement. Other creditors and suppliers will be paid in full, according to iRobot's bankruptcy court filings. iRobot said the bankruptcy is not expected to disrupt its app functionality, customer programs, global partners, supply chain relationships or product support. The loss-making company was valued at $3.56 billion in 2021, driven by pandemic-fueled demand, but it is now worth around $140 million, according to data compiled by LSEG. iRobot was founded in 1990 by three Massachusetts Institute of Technology roboticists. It initially focused on defense and space work before debuting the Roomba robotic vacuum in 2002. The Roomba was an immediate success and it holds about 42% of the U.S. market share and 65% of the Japanese market share for robotic vacuum cleaners, according to the company. iRobot is headquartered in Bedford, Massachusetts, and it has 274 employees, according to court documents. -
Best Raasi phalalu evaru istharu utube lo ?
fake_Bezawada replied to jefferson1's topic in Discussions
TR Creations Uday baaga cheptaru -
gajji kukkala izzat pillodi chetulo kuda paaye.
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endhi uncle ee pillala gola?
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India rupee falls to record low below 90 , $1 = 90.16 rs
2024 replied to Sam480's topic in Discussions
edho okati chesi summer ki 100 cheyali raa godi gaa -
Sucker started following Revanth Reddy is Bad
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training your algo 😂
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Bigg Boss Season 9 || Double House || Double Dose
2024 replied to The_Mentalist's topic in Discussions
Demon ki manchi PR undi untee easy gaa top1 place lo undevadu+ Ritu minus -
Patang Trailer | Preethi Pagadala, Pranav Kaushik, Vamsi Pujit | Praneeth Prattipati | December 25
kakatiya replied to EyBisa's topic in Discussions
She tried hard fir her debut..I dont think she will stick long -
7691 started following Benjamin netanyahu on sydney terror attack
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Abba tammudu. Ee year kashmir lo almost same scene kada. Modi ey kada pm.
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super movie
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@Sucker nuvvu anukune Raasi Phalalu kaadu..
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Best Raasi phalalu evaru istharu utube lo ?
The_Mentalist replied to jefferson1's topic in Discussions
Challa subramanya sastry garu andi jathakalu cheptharra jathakalu eveng ayinani okadu kalusthadu anamata ah tharvatha oka kalu thote nadusthdu anamata -
Pedthe tikka kudurthundhi ittu usa ki attu india ki
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USA cannot enter market that adani and Ambani want total control of. They sacrificed nandini dairy in karnataka to make way for amul. The new agriculture laws were meant for Private players like adani..but backfired..
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USA cannot enter market that adani and Ambani want total control of. They sacrificed nandini dairy in karnataka to make way for amul. The new agriculture laws were meant for Private players like adani..but backfired..
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Its atmost a 100 billion $.. even after 100% tarrifs indian labour is cheaper compared to US or other developed nations
