iRobot(US:IRBT) 证券时报·2025-12-15 15:21Core Viewpoint - iRobot has filed for bankruptcy protection, marking a significant downturn for the company known for its pioneering Roomba vacuum cleaner, primarily due to increased competition and rising operational costs from tariffs [1][7][15]. Group 1: Company Background and History - iRobot was founded in 1990 by MIT professors Rodney Brooks, Colin Angle, and Helen Greiner, and launched the first Roomba vacuum in 2002, earning the title of "pioneer" in the robotic vacuum industry [5]. - The company went public in 2005 and saw its stock price peak at $197.4 in 2021, with a market capitalization exceeding $6 billion [7]. Group 2: Financial Performance and Challenges - iRobot's revenue has been declining over the past three years, dropping from $1.183 billion in 2022 to an estimated $682 million in 2024. The company has also faced losses, with a net profit of $286 million in 2022 turning into a projected loss of $146 million in 2024 [8]. - The introduction of a 46% tariff on home appliances imported from Vietnam by the U.S. government is expected to add approximately $23 million to iRobot's operational costs in 2025, further straining its profit margins [7]. Group 3: Acquisition Attempts and Restructuring - Amazon attempted to acquire iRobot for $17 billion in 2022, but the deal was ultimately abandoned due to regulatory hurdles, with the final offer dropping to $14 billion before termination [8]. - Following the failed acquisition, iRobot received $94 million in breakup fees, most of which was used to cover advisory costs and repay a $200 million loan from Carlyle Group [8]. Group 4: New Ownership and Future Plans - Shenzhen PICEA Robotics Co. and its subsidiary Santrum Hong Kong Co. are set to acquire all shares of iRobot, leading to its delisting from NASDAQ and privatization [10]. - The transaction aims to significantly improve iRobot's balance sheet and ensure continued operations, with plans to complete the acquisition by February 2026 [15].