Roomba maker tipped into bankruptcy by Trump tariffs

Core Viewpoint - iRobot, known for its Roomba robot vacuum, is being acquired by Chinese manufacturer Picea after facing significant challenges, including competition and tariffs, leading to its bankruptcy [1][4]. Company Summary - iRobot has agreed to a sale to Picea, which will secure its future despite the company previously being valued at $4.5 billion [2][3]. - The company had to abandon a deal to sell to Amazon for $1.4 billion due to regulatory concerns [3]. - Picea has acquired all of iRobot's $264 million in debt and will not pay cash for the acquisition [3]. Industry Context - iRobot cited external market conditions such as increased competition, rising inflation, and tariffs as challenges impacting its operations [4][5]. - The company attempted to relocate production from China to Vietnam in response to tariffs, but the U.S. has imposed tariffs as high as 46% on imports from Vietnam [4]. - The robot vacuum market is now dominated by Chinese companies, with major players including Ecovacs, Eufy, and Roborock, while non-Chinese competitors like Dyson and Samsung hold less than 5% of the market [6][7]. Future Outlook - The acquisition is seen as a pivotal milestone for iRobot's long-term future, with the CEO stating it will strengthen the company's financial position and ensure continuity for consumers and partners [8][9].