DiFACTO Robotics and Automation, a prominent player in manufacturing automation and robotics solutions, has announced its acquisition of the Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) for the RoboFinish division from Grind Master. The RoboFinish division, developed over 14 years, offers advanced robotic grinding, finishing, deburring, and machining technologies.
Sameer Kelkar, CEO of Grind Master and the key innovator behind RoboFinish, commented, “We have been at the forefront of advancements in robotic grinding and finishing, leveraging our extensive domain expertise. With over 150 successful RoboFinish solutions deployed worldwide, we are confident that DiFACTO will expand these technologies to reach even more customers.”
Grind Master, based in Aurangabad and founded by Milind and Mohini Kelkar, has pioneered metal-finishing solutions, particularly for the automotive and general engineering sectors. Over the last four decades, the company has developed over 30 patents, positioning itself as a strong competitor to leading Japanese and European firms.
Ajay Gopalaswamy, Founder and CEO of DiFACTO, said, “We are always on the lookout for cutting-edge technologies that give us a competitive edge. The RoboFinish portfolio aligns perfectly with our current offerings and will enhance our market position. We will continue to support existing RoboFinish customers through our dedicated engineering team.”
Srinivas Baratam, Managing Director of Stakeboat Capital, which backed DiFACTO’s initial funding round in June 2024, added, “DiFACTO is a leading robotic automation solutions provider to Indian manufacturers, and the acquisition of RoboFinish technologies strengthens their capabilities. This acquisition will further accelerate DiFACTO’s global expansion efforts.”
Founded in 2007 by Ajay Gopalswamy, Yogesh Kumar, and Anil Satapathy, DiFACTO has established itself as a leader in robotic systems and automation for diverse industries such as automotive, foundry, machine tools, transportation, and consumer goods. The company operates manufacturing facilities in Bengaluru and Pune and a sales and service office in Gurugram. Its subsidiary in Michigan, USA, serves the North American market.
