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Reunert has acquired majority interests in two businesses, which will augment the group's strategic focus on innovation and diversification. Both transactions are effective from 28 February 2017.
"These bolt-on acquisitions fit well with Reunert's growth strategy into new emerging technologies that complement our existing electronics and electrical engineering expertise," says Reunert chief executive Alan Dickson.
The first purchase sees Reunert taking a 51% stake in Terra Firma Solutions, a leading turnkey energy engineering solutions provider. Terra Firma specialises in providing turnkey energy engineering solutions, predominantly to the industrial and commercial sectors in South Africa. The firm, which was founded in 2012, has installed numerous large rooftop photovoltaic (solar) energy systems. Terra Firma also has over 800 sites under remote energy and water management through its in-house developed smart software. Its Training Academy provides accredited skills development courses in green careers.
This transaction will firmly position Reunert to take advantage of the shift towards renewable energy and independent power production, not only in South Africa, but also north of our borders. Terra Firma has a strong order book and firm relationships with major property and industrial groups.
The second deal is the acquisition of a 74,9% stake in Africa's only robotics designer and manufacturer, Ryonic Robotics.
Ryonic Robotics, which was founded in 2014, develops state of the art robotic systems for various industries and applications. Ryonic's breakthrough was the local design and manufacturing of unmanned ground vehicles ("UGVs") used for pipeline and other confined and dangerous space inspections by the pipeline, construction, industrial-, energy-, mining- and local government sectors. The first export orders, for UGVs to investigate underground pipes have already been shipped to the USA, where Ryonic is aiming to take a substantial market share with its innovative and top quality products.
Reunert views the robotics and automation market as having exciting growth trajectories worldwide. Ryonic's intellectual property and engineering capability will provide a strong competitive advantage against global competitors. There is also a natural overlap with Reunert's customer base and Ryonic's pioneering product suite can augment some of the group's existing products.
