iRobot files Chapter 11; Chinese manufacturer Picea to acquire as tariffs, debts mount
Roomba maker iRobot filed for Chapter 11 and agreed to be acquired and taken private by Shenzhen Picea Robotics as mounting debt and tariff costs squeezed the company. iRobot disclosed roughly $3.4 million in unpaid U.S. import tariffs, nearly $100 million owed to Picea, a $200 million loan taken during a failed Amazon merger review, and a 33% drop in U.S. revenue as Vietnam-made Roombas faced new U.S. import fees; Picea also markets its own 3i brand and lists partners including Shark and Anker’s Eufy.
📌 Key Facts
- iRobot has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
- The company says it owes $3.4 million in unpaid tariffs to U.S. Customs and Border Protection tied to imports; most Roombas are manufactured in Vietnam and have faced new U.S. import fees under the Trump administration’s tariff regime.
- iRobot owes nearly $100 million to Shenzhen Picea Robotics, the supplier that is set to acquire the company.
- The bankruptcy plan indicates iRobot will go private under Picea; Picea markets its own 3i brand and lists partners including Shark and Anker’s Eufy.
- iRobot took a $200 million loan to sustain operations during the failed Amazon merger review, and U.S. revenue fell 33% in the latest quarter.
📰 Sources (2)
Roomba maker files for bankruptcy, weighed down by debt and tariffs
New information:
- iRobot says it owes CBP $3.4 million in unpaid tariffs tied to imports.
- The company owes nearly $100 million to Shenzhen Picea Robotics, the supplier set to take it over.
- Most Roombas are manufactured in Vietnam and have faced new U.S. import fees under President Trump’s tariff regime.
- iRobot took a $200 million loan to sustain operations during the failed Amazon merger review; U.S. revenue fell 33% in the latest quarter.
- Bankruptcy plan indicates iRobot will go private under Picea; Picea markets its own 3i brand and lists partners like Shark and Anker’s Eufy.