Konica Minolta acquires 65% of the Mobotix shares

Konica Minolta has signed an agreement for purchase and transfer of about 65 % of the shares of Mobotix AG from major share holders. Company founder Dr Ralf Hinkel has informed that he will stay in supervisory board and will continue to lead the strategic development of Mobotix.

Last fiscal year 2014/15 Mobotix had sold almost 122,000 cameras, representing year-on-year growth of 12 percent and a record in the history of the company. The company achieved double-digit year-on-year revenue growth once again with a figure of 11 percent. Revenue for the year as a whole increased by 2 percent from EUR 78 million to EUR 80 million. Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) amounted to EUR 8.8 million, an increase of 70 percent on the previous year (prior year: EUR 5.2 million).

For Konica Minolta the acquisition was important to get access to Mobotix's technologies including decentralized processing (edge computing) IP cameras, image data compression, and image data analytics technologies. In addition, Konica Minolta and Mobotix intend to enter into a collaboration agreement regarding future technological developments in the field. With the acquisition, Konica Minolta intends to achieve the following objectives:

• Provision of next-generation network security solutions through cooperation in proprietary technologies of both companies: Konica Minolta aims to provide next-generation decentralized network security solutions by leveraging its industrial optical systems, including the 3D-LiDAR to scan, without errors or failed reports, wide areas at a high-precision level based on its proprietary optical technology, and Mobotix’s decentralized processing IP cameras and video management software (VMS) with a diversified processor.
• Development of workflow solutions across verticals: By utilizing the technology of both Mobotix's decentralized processing IP cameras and VMS with Konica Minolta’s image sensing system, Konica Minolta will drive development of new products such as “Care Support Solutions” for monitoring residents at nursing care homes, or the solutions for monitoring workflow at manufacturing facilities that can help their workflow innovation.
• Broadening the distribution of Mobotix products and services: Konica Minolta will broaden the distribution of Mobotix products and their solution services by leveraging its global direct sales network and after-sales support and services systems.