The two companies aim to pilot the initial smart factory solutions next month
Canadian firm Kontrol Energy and Toyota Tsusho Canada Inc. (TTCI) have signed an agreement to implement smart factory technology solutions.
Under the deal, the new smart factory solutions will combine Kontrol’s Internet of Things (IoT) hardware and software solutions with TTCI’s existing production, operating improvement platforms, and power generation / HVAC products for the North American automobile and parts OEMs.
“We are pleased to enter a significant new vertical market opportunity with a strong global partner in TTCI,” said Paul Ghezzi, CEO of Kontrol Energy Corp. “Working in partnership with a global industrial leader such as Toyota Tsusho also provides us with an opportunity to scale our technology solutions across a large potential global customer base.”
“We selected Kontrol as our partner in the Smart Factory initiatives due to their extensive experience in developing technology solutions which integrate IoT hardware and software to create a smart environment to optimize operating efficiencies. This agreement with Kontrol will enable us to deliver production and energy efficiencies and give our customers a technology solution to drive down their costs and gain a competitive advantage,” said Hidetoshi Tada, President of TTCI.
Under the agreement, Kontrol and TTCI aim to establish a joint venture company to provide technology solutions and services to OEMs in the automotive sector to optimize production and manage energy in real-time.
Kontrol will design and provide monitoring software, quality assurance and technical support to TTCI and its customers, and design and install building automation systems and heating and ventilation equipment, while TTCI will procure customers, conduct engineering and installation and after-sales services with customers.
Initial pilots are expected to begin next month, with the goal of scaling the offering across North America in 2019.
The partners said that profits from the joint venture would be shared between Kontrol and TTCI on a pro rata basis based on services provided by each firm.
TTCI is a wholly owned subsidiary of Toyota Tsusho America, Inc. and operates with approximately $1 billion in annual revenues. Toyota Tsusho Corporation was founded in 1948 as the trading company for the Toyota Group.
Kontrol Energy Corp. specializes in the energy efficiency sector through IoT, Cloud and SaaS technology.
