Kim Povlsen, known for his leadership at Universal Robots, has stepped in as the new CEO of Bluefors – a pioneer in quantum technology based in Helsinki. With a focus on cryogenic measurement systems that support quantum computing, clean energy, and life sciences, Bluefors is setting a high standard in its field.
Confirmed last week by Teradyne Robotics, this leadership change marks a fresh start for Povlsen. At Universal Robots, where he joined in March 2021, he built a solid reputation within the collaborative robotics space. His successor there is Jean-Pierre Hathout from Teradyne’s Mobile Industrial Robots.
Before his role at Universal Robots, Povlsen played key roles at Schneider Electric, guiding tech strategy across Europe, the US, and Asia. In a related update, Teradyne revealed that its robotics revenue dropped from $98 million in Q4 2024 to $69 million in Q1 2025, alongside a 21% year-over-year sales decline – a downturn that prompted a 10% workforce reduction in January 2025.
At Bluefors, Povlsen will lead a team of over 700 as the company pushes forward with its quantum technology cooling systems. ‘I am excited to join Bluefors on its mission to accelerate the quantum technology breakthrough,’ he said. ‘Bluefors has a proven record of co-creating products with global tech leaders. As the market leader in cooling solutions for Quantum Technology and Low Temperature Physics Research, they set the benchmark for making large-scale quantum computing a reality. I see tremendous opportunities to further strengthen our position in the industries we serve.’
Former CEO Jonas Geust stepped down in late 2024, with founder Rob Blaauwgeers serving as interim CEO. Bluefors Board Chair Kimmo Alkio remarked, ‘We greatly value Kim’s ability to blend strategic insight with a strong customer focus and operational excellence. His leadership, which encourages open communication and swift decision-making, fits perfectly with our collaborative approach to designing products that meet genuine customer needs.’
Meanwhile, Universal Robots recently unveiled the UR15, its fastest collaborative robot yet. With a top TCP speed of 5 m/s, the new cobot aims to boost productivity and cut operational costs. The company also celebrated the milestone of selling over 100,000 cobots since its inception.
