Finnish telco Elisa has acquired a majority stake in Belgium-based industrial health and safety software provider TenForce, as part of the continuing expansion of its smart factory business. While continuing as an independent company, TenForce will be part of Elisa’s newly-formed IndustrIQ business, which has fully or partially acquired at least three other Industry 4.0 software providers in the past six months.
At the start of the year, Elisa acquired Germany-based camLine Group and US-based CalcuQuote, respectively providing software for the high-tech and semiconductor industries, and for supply chain management in electronics manufacturing. The trio, along with TenForce – which makes software for environment, health, safety, and quality (EHSQ) and operational risk management – have joined Elisa’s Smart Factory business, rebranded as IndustrIQ.
Elisa said the deal for TenForce, working mostly with process manufacturing companies and utilities, will help to accelerate the Belgian firm’s growth and development through access to complementary AI/ML capabilities and a network of industrial software companies. Elisa has established IndustrIQ as its new Industry 4.0 brand, covering companies that can combine on an “end-to-end” smart manufacturing solution.
Lasse Nordlund, vice president and head of Elisa IndustrIQ, said: “Elisa IndustrIQ make() intelligent manufacturing happen by enabling manufacturing companies to transform and optimise their supply chain operations. TenForce brings a complementary offering and skills, especially with their deep understanding of process industries and their critical features. It also expands our customer base.”
He added: “Elisa is committed to helping TenForce to accelerate its growth by boosting development of new capabilities, for instance in the artificial intelligence and machine learning domains, and by providing cross-selling opportunities globally across our growing customer base.”
Jan Van den Nieuwenhof, chief executive at TenForce, said: “We have always set ambitious goals for ourselves, and over the past few years, we have been growing successfully. When we were looking for a long-term partner to help us transition to the next level, we decided to choose Elisa, as their investment gives our employees, our product and our customers the opportunity to grow towards a shared intent – making intelligent manufacturing happen.
“As part of a larger set-up, we see great development potential thanks to our shared technological expertise and the support of the global customer base of the Elisa IndustrIQ companies.”
