Inspection specialist Isra Vision has entered into a strategic succession partnership with Atlas Copco, which is set to secure the future of the Darmstadt, Germany headquartered company.
Isra Vision was founded 35 years ago by Enis Ersü, and is now a technology group that employs around 900 people at 25 sites around the world. The company was founded as a spin-off of the Technical University of Darmstadt and has grown dynamically in recent years to become a global player in robotic vision systems, inline measurement, and inspection.
With Mr Ersü turning 67 later this year, and no successor from the family and other possible options also unconvincing, a strategic partnership was sought to provide a framework for Isra Vision to continue to realise its plans for the future, to exploit market potential, to continue the continuity of its business, and to pursue its growth strategy.
The criteria for a partner was that the partner understood the dynamics of Isra Vision, and that all of its global sites can continue on the path they have started on, continue their networking and maintain their innovation roadmap. In addition, Isra Vision was looking for a partner that has already proven itself in cooperating with other companies.
With Atlas Copco as a strategic industrial partner, via a business combination agreement (BCA), Isra Vision has now reached a long-term and future-oriented succession agreement that will enable the company to continue to pursue its growth strategy and its innovation roadmap. The plans for the company’s new headquarters in Darmstadt will be continued as planned. This is designed to accommodate growth and an increase in the number of employees. The Isra Vision team plans to move into the new building in 2021.
Atlas Copco is a global Swedish group with approximately 37,000 employees, customers in more than 180 countries and €9 billion in annual turnover. It manufactures industrial tools and equipment. Atlas Copco companies develop, manufacture, service and rent industrial tools, air compressors – of which it is the world’s leading producer – construction and assembly systems. The group operates in four areas: compressor technique, vacuum technique, construction technique and industrial technique.
Atlas Copco has identified machine vision as a key technology and now intends to develop a new machine vision division with Isra Vision as its nucleus. Isra Vision will operate and continue to develop from Darmstadt as an independent pillar in the Atlas Copco structure. Mr Ersü will accompany the integration process for the foreseeable future to ensure a smooth transition.
Mr Ersü commented, ‘Our two segments – surface vision and industrial automation – as well as our global presence offer enormous potential for growth and synergies with Atlas Copco’s business activities.’
