Gimv acquires a majority-stake in One of A Kind Technologies (OOAKT), alongside its two founders. This transaction reflects the company’s strategy to invest in people and structure ahead of its future growth, as well as to finance buy & build opportunities.

One of A Kind Technologies (OOAKT) (http://oneofakindtechnologies.nl/) was founded in 2012 by Alex Kind and Richard Vialle. Two acquisitions formed the basis of the current activities. Since its foundation OOAKT grew into a specialist that develops, builds and sells machine vision solutions such as inspection systems for food and pharmaceutical packaging amongst others.

Machine vision encompasses all applications in which a combination of hardware (sensors, lasers, smart camera’s,…) and software provide operational guidance to devices in the execution of their function. By using machine vision technology, machines are enabled to artificially see and make decisions. Typical applications are quality inspection, guidance for robots, measurement and identification. Machine vision is at the heart of industry 4.0. In this world, traceability, regulation, in-line inspection and efficiency are of utmost importance. For customers, this means increased productivity due to automation, improved product quality and safety and more consistent inspection resulting in useful data for enhanced quality analysis and predictive measures (forecasting, predictive maintenance).

The company, which employs more than 65 people, mostly engineers, is headquartered in Eindhoven (NL) and has a worldwide blue-chip customer base. OOAKT nurtures a culture of commitment and customer centricity, while innovation is in its DNA. In 2016 and 2017 it won the FD-Gazellen Award for fast growing midsize companies. In 2017 One of A Kind Technologies was also selected as one of the eight New Champions by the FD newspaper as one of the most innovative and promising companies of The Netherlands.

The ambition is to triple revenues in 5 years time by executing a well-defined expansion strategy in machine vision systems and modules. Buy-and-build opportunities should provide additional growth.

Alex Kind, CEO and co-founder of OOAKT, explains: “The past six years we have proven to be a successful high tech growth company. Together with the entire team we have established strong momentum with sustainable markets worldwide. We will now be able to step-up our investments in our focused and pro-active R&D, sales and customer services. We are proud that Gimv supports our strategy and platform, our team and the enormous potential ahead. We believe to have secured with Gimv a trustworthy partner that will make us stronger, not only financially but also in the process of growth, professionalization and internationalization.”

Nick Medaer, Partner in Gimv’s Smart Industries platform, adds: “Machine vision is at the core of our Smart Industries-focus. It plays a crucial role in industry 4.0 to improve efficiency, automate and increase quality. The combination of deep technology knowhow and two very ambitious and dynamic entrepreneurs driving the company forward is a great basis for further growth. We are very happy to be part of the future of OOAKT”.

No further details will be disclosed.