杉川首次回应收购iRobot：将保留原有品牌，中国业务同步推进

Core Viewpoint - iRobot, once a leader in the robotic vacuum industry, has filed for bankruptcy and will be acquired by Sijia, leading to a significant drop in its stock price and market value [2][3][5]. Company History and Performance - Founded in 1990, iRobot initially developed technology for NASA and military applications before launching the Roomba vacuum in 2002, which dominated the market [3]. - iRobot's revenue peaked at $1.565 billion in 2021, but it began to incur losses in 2022, leading to a failed acquisition attempt by Amazon for $1.7 billion due to antitrust issues [3][4]. Market Dynamics - iRobot's market share has plummeted, with IDC reporting it fell out of the top five global robotic vacuum brands by Q3 2025, holding less than 8% market share [4]. - The company's revenue in the U.S. dropped by 33% year-over-year in Q3 2025, with significant declines in other regions as well [5]. Financial Struggles - iRobot's financial situation worsened, with a cash balance of only $24.8 million and liabilities exceeding assets, leading to its bankruptcy filing in December 2025 [5][6]. - The company reported a net loss of $130 million in the first three quarters of 2025, a 90% increase compared to the previous year [7]. Strategic Missteps - iRobot's failure to integrate sweeping and mopping functions into a single product, along with reliance on visual navigation technology, hindered its competitiveness against Chinese brands that adopted laser navigation and combined functionalities [6][7]. - Trade tariffs imposed by the U.S. increased operational costs, further straining iRobot's profitability [6]. Acquisition and Future Plans - Sijia, the acquiring company, aims to leverage iRobot's brand and technology to expand its market presence, particularly in overseas markets [8][9]. - Sijia has already secured the regional agency rights for iRobot in China and plans to enhance local operations to drive growth [8][9]. Market Outlook - If the acquisition is successful, Sijia could reshape the competitive landscape in the North American robotic vacuum market, where iRobot still holds a 20%-30% share [10]. - The integration of Sijia and iRobot is expected to create a new player in the global cleaning appliance market, combining Chinese manufacturing strength with an established brand [10].