Former Common Robots president Kim Povlsen was named CEO of quantum know-how chief Bluefors. | Credit score: Common Robots
Kim Povlsen, the previous president of Common Robots, yesterday was named the CEO of Bluefors. Primarily based in Helsinki, Finland, Bluefors is a number one developer of cryogenic measurement methods, cryocoolers and different cryogenic product strains for quantum know-how, basic physics analysis and different industries akin to life sciences and clear power.
Teradyne Robotics introduced the management change final week, saying Povlsen left Common Robots (UR) to pursue and exterior profession alternative. He joined UR, the world’s main developer of collaborative robotic arms, in March 2021. Jean-Pierre Hathout, president of fellow Teradyne Robotics subsidiary Cell Industrial Robots (MiR) changed Povlsen as president of UR.
Earlier than UR, Povlsen has held a number of management positions at Schneider Electrical, a world high-tech firm, the place he led enterprise transformation and know-how methods in Europe, the US, and Asia.
Teradyne just lately introduced the monetary outcomes for its first quarter of 2025. Its robotics income was $69 million in Q1 2025, which is down from $98 million in This fall 2024. This additionally marked a 21% drop in gross sales in Q1 yr over yr. Teradyne Robotics laid off 10% of its international workforce in January 2025.
In his new position, Povlsen will lead Bluefors international group of 700+ staff to ship cooling methods for quantum know-how.
“I’m excited to hitch Bluefors on its mission to speed up the quantum know-how breakthrough,” stated Kim Povlsen. “Bluefors has a confirmed observe report of efficiently co-creating merchandise with international know-how firms. Because the market chief of their area of cooling options for Quantum Know-how and Low Temperature Physics Analysis, they’ve achieved an undisputed position as the corporate who delivers transformational know-how — making real-world, large-scale quantum computing accessible at the moment. I see large alternatives to additional strengthen Bluefors because the benchmark for the industries that they serve.”
Jonas Geust, former CEO of Bluefors, stepped down on the finish of 2024 for private causes. Bluefors founder Rob Blaauwgeers served as interim CEO.
“We enormously worth Kim’s means to mix strategic pondering, buyer orientation and drive for operational excellence,” stated chairperson of the Bluefors Board Kimmo Alkio. “He’s the catalyst of efficient determination making, a frontrunner who motivates change by speaking brazenly. Buyer-centricity is in his DNA and meets Bluefors’ philosophy completely: designing and producing merchandise that clients want and wish – along with the shoppers themselves – is likely one of the cornerstones of our working mannequin.”
UR this week launched the UR15, its quickest cobot ever. The UR15 has a most TCP velocity of 5 m/s to scale back cycle instances, improve productiveness, and cut back prices throughout purposes and industries.
UR additionally introduced this week that it surpassed 100,000 cobots bought over the lifetime of the corporate.
