Former Common Robots president Kim Povlsen was named CEO of quantum expertise 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 expertise, elementary 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 worldwide high-tech firm, the place he led enterprise transformation and expertise 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 autumn 2024. This additionally marked a 21% drop in gross sales in Q1 12 months over 12 months. Teradyne Robotics laid off 10% of its world workforce in January 2025.
In his new function, Povlsen will lead Bluefors world crew of 700+ workers to ship cooling methods for quantum expertise.
“I’m excited to affix Bluefors on its mission to speed up the quantum expertise breakthrough,” stated Kim Povlsen. “Bluefors has a confirmed observe document of efficiently co-creating merchandise with world expertise firms. Because the market chief of their area of cooling options for Quantum Expertise and Low Temperature Physics Analysis, they’ve achieved an undisputed function as the corporate who delivers transformational expertise — making real-world, large-scale quantum computing accessible in the present day. 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 significantly worth Kim’s means to mix strategic considering, buyer orientation and drive for operational excellence,” stated chairperson of the Bluefors Board Kimmo Alkio. “He’s the catalyst of efficient resolution making, a frontrunner who motivates change by speaking overtly. Buyer-centricity is in his DNA and meets Bluefors’ philosophy completely: designing and producing merchandise that prospects want and wish – along with the purchasers 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 pace of 5 m/s to cut back cycle occasions, enhance productiveness, and cut back prices throughout functions and industries.
UR additionally introduced this week that it surpassed 100,000 cobots bought over the lifetime of the corporate.
