Ocado should buy AutoStore and banish its legal blues
Last week, we reported that Ocado was being sued by Norwegian robotics firm AutoStore.
The latter has filed lawsuits in the UK High Court and the US District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, claiming Ocado’s grocery picking robots infringe on its automated designs.
So, what is the best option available to Ocado in this situation? Buy AutoStore and run it as a separate company, because an acquisition would eliminate the lawsuit, according to Brittain Ladd, a supply chain consultant and former Amazon exec.
“I have a unique perspective on Ocado as I worked for Kroger as a consultant, and I recommended to Kroger to enter into an agreement with Ocado,” Ladd said in a LinkedIn post.
“I also wrote several articles in 2017 where I outlined how the pair could partner to revolutionise Kroger’s supply chain. I also understand Ocado’s technology very well and I also know a lot about AutoStore’s technology. In my opinion, Ocado has clearly infringed on AutoStore’s patents.”
A costly and lengthy legal battle, therefore, doesn’t make sense, he believes. Also, a combined Ocado/AutoStore would offer global retailers exceptional value.
Cracking Korea
AutoStore this week announced that tech veteran Kevin Kim will head up the development of its business in the Korean market. Further details below.
