Advantech has announced its strategic acquisition of Aures Technologies SA, a French POS and KIOSK brand, signaling a significant move to expand its global footprint in the smart retail industry. This acquisition, valued at up to 6.7 euros per share for all outstanding shares totaling 3,938,173, along with an additional 5 million euros in convertible bonds for working capital, marks a crucial step in Advantech’s ambition to become a leader in integrated smart retail solutions.
Deputy General Manager of Advantech Services IoT Business Group, Jiang Mingzhi, highlighted the challenging landscape of the global retail sector influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic, supply chain disruptions, and economic fluctuations. Despite these challenges, Advantech is pushing forward with its strategic expansions to capitalize on the transformative shifts in consumer habits and the increasing integration of AI technology in retail.
Aures is well-regarded in Europe and the US for its innovative POS and KIOSK solutions. The merger is poised to harness Advantech’s robust capabilities in smart systems and global logistics, fostering significant growth for both entities and the broader smart retail service industry.
Patrick Cathala, Aures’ founder and chairman, endorsed the merger, praising Advantech’s global operations and long-standing brand reputation as key motivators for the partnership. From Advantech’s perspective, Chairman Liu Kezhen expressed that this merger aligns perfectly with Advantech’s focus on industry-specific markets like smart retail, which holds substantial growth potential.
Advantech’s strategic direction will also shift from a traditional product-driven approach to a more industry-focused strategy, emphasizing AIoT and edge computing to drive deeper market penetration and innovation.
Aures brings a strong European presence and a well-established network in the US through its subsidiary Retail Technology Group, which is expected to complement Advantech’s existing capabilities and enhance its position as a global leader in smart retail solutions.
