Voice technology firm is acquired by German giant
A Blackpool IT firm which specialises in voice activated technology has been sold to a German multi-national for an undisclosed amount.
Centriq, which specialises in supplying IT solutions for the logistics, supply chain and retail sectors, has been bought by Hamburg based Korber.
The firm, which was advised by Clearwater International, has its headquarters in Lancashire with operations in France, Germany and the US.
It is also the holding company for Voiteq and Cirrus Logistics.
Voiteq delivers voice-oriented solutions across warehouse activities that are built around its middleware product VoiceMan.
The technology allows workflows in a warehouse to be directed, measured, monitored, tracked, and reported, improving productivity and providing operational data.
Cirrus Logistics’ decision support software products include: CLASS, the industry standard for warehouse design and simulation, Seaberth, vessel berth scheduling used in ports globally and Cost2Serv, logistics planning and optimisation.
Centriq will sit within Körber’s Logistics Systems business and complements Körber’s strong North American voice business, Vitech.
The sale will create one of the world’s largest and most experienced Honeywell Vocollect voice integration teams.
The Clearwater International team consisted of director Wesley Fell-Smith and partner and international head of TMT, Carl Houghton, senior associate Daniel Hart and associate Kirsten Handley.
Partner Mark Taylor, director Tom Barnwell and associate director David Grassby provided debt advisory support. Legal advice to the shareholders of Centriq was provided by Beyond Corporate.
Stephan Seifert, chairman of the group executive board at Körber AG said: “With the successful acquisition of Centriq we have added another key component to our logistics portfolio.
“Its excellent team will enable us to strengthen our internationally leading position in the SCM segment with access to multinational project opportunities.”
David Stanhope, chief executive of Centriq, said: “Speaking on behalf of the whole management team at Centriq, we are very excited about joining the successful logistics systems business area and the Körber Group as a whole.
“For our team of certified technical voice experts that serve some 300 clients at 500 sites with award-winning products already, the prospect of joint further growth comes at the right time.
“We estimate that more than 90% of warehouses across the world are yet to adopt voice technology.
“Together with the existing SCM portfolio of Körber Logistics Systems, we will be able to strengthen our international platform and – thanks to the integrated offerings portfolio – provide more benefits for our customers.”
Wes Fell-Smith, of Clearwater International, said: “As supply chains become increasingly more complex with leaner and more efficient models, integral to maximising profit levels, there has also been a significant increase in the adoption of automation and software solutions.
“We worked with David and the team to find the right partner for the business where there was a strong strategic and cultural fit and we wish them well as they continue to grow the business with Körber’s support.”
