Almost at the close of 2023, Gearbox and Pliant have announced that they are joining forces. Both companies are active in the fields of vision software, AI algorithms and robotization. The combination of both firms is creating an ambitious company with over 60 employees with experience in high-tech automation.
With the acquisition of a majority stake, Gearbox is taking an important step for the future, securing even broader knowledge of both control software and vision & AI technology. "It's a fantastic match. We fit very well together both in terms of expertise and culture, and we enjoy coming up with smart robotization solutions for our customers. By joining forces, we are strengthening our position in the market and will be able to help our customers even better and faster," said Simone Keijzer, CEO of Gearbox.
Alex Heurkens and Walter Kleijweg, founders of Pliant, and Simone Keijzer and Johan Kreeft, founders of Gearbox
Product portfolio expansion in horticultural sector
Gearbox and Pliant's products for the horticultural sector complement each other well. Gearbox already offers various robotic solutions for quality control and robotization in vegetable, fruit and flower crops, and Pliant is experienced in upgrading existing sorting lines with advanced software technology. The merging of the product portfolio will immediately allow further international growth, as well.
Offshore solutions
Pliant's incorporation into the Gearbox family is also bringing in offshore knowledge and technology. The Pliant Offshore team is specialized in 3D measurement solutions and control software for the international offshore and maritime market. Pliant Offshore equipment and software can serve, for example, to monitor the laying of cables and pipes, the installation of wind turbine foundations, such as monopiles, and other structures during installation, inspection and maintenance; solutions that make operations more efficient and therefore more cost-effective. Under the name Pliant Offshore, the team will continue working as usual in the development of solutions for the offshore sector.
"It is remarkable how well matched we are in terms of expertise. We've known each other for years and have worked on projects together before, and that makes this step a very logical one," said Alex Heurkens, co-founder of Pliant.
Ready for the future
In any case, both parties stress that nothing will change for the customers. They will keep their contacts, and Gearbox and Pliant Offshore will make use of each other's expertise to raise the quality even higher.
And the goal for 2024? Simone and Alex agree on the plans for the coming years: to continue building for 'The Next Generation' in both the Food & Flowers sector and the Offshore market, and thus supporting customers in making their daily work smarter and easier with vision software, AI and robotization.
For more information:
Gearbox Innovations B.V.
Nollaantje 42c
2676 BW Maasdijk. Netherlands
+31 174 295 714
[email protected]
www.gearboxinnovations.com
Pliant
Heusing 11
4817 ZB Breda, Netherlands
[email protected]
www.pliant.nl
www.pliant-offshore.com/