Zebra Technologies to Acquire Photoneo, Expanding Its Portfolio of 3D Machine Vision Solutions
Zebra Technologies (NASDAQ: ZBRA) has announced its intention to acquire Photoneo, a leading developer of 3D machine vision solutions. The acquisition aims to expand Zebra's presence in the fastest-growing 3D segment of the Machine Vision market. The combination will enhance Zebra's portfolio by integrating Photoneo's intelligent sensors and parallel structured light technology with Zebra's advanced sensors and AI-based capabilities.
The merger will address high-value applications including bin picking, depalletizing, digital twin creation, and object inspection in automotive manufacturing and logistics. The acquisition follows Zebra's strategic investment in Matrox Imaging in June 2022 and builds upon an existing OEM relationship with Photoneo established in 2024. The transaction is expected to close in Q1 2025, with financial terms undisclosed.
Zebra Technologies (NASDAQ: ZBRA) ha annunciato la sua intenzione di acquisire Photoneo, un leader nello sviluppo di soluzioni di visione artificiale 3D. L'acquisizione mira ad espandere la presenza di Zebra nel segmento 3D in più rapida crescita del mercato della Visione Macchine. L'integrazione migliorerà il portafoglio di Zebra unendo i sensori intelligenti di Photoneo e la tecnologia della luce strutturata parallela con i sensori avanzati e le capacità basate sull'AI di Zebra.
La fusione si concentrerà su applicazioni di alto valore, inclusi il prelievo dai contenitori, il depalletizzamento, la creazione di gemelli digitali e l'ispezione degli oggetti nella produzione automobilistica e nella logistica. L'acquisizione segue l'investimento strategico di Zebra in Matrox Imaging nel giugno 2022 e si basa su una relazione OEM esistente con Photoneo stabilita nel 2024. Si prevede che la transazione si concluda nel Q1 del 2025, con termini finanziari non divulgati.
Zebra Technologies (NASDAQ: ZBRA) ha anunciado su intención de adquirir Photoneo, un desarrollador líder de soluciones de visión artificial 3D. La adquisición tiene como objetivo expandir la presencia de Zebra en el segmento 3D de más rápido crecimiento en el mercado de Visión de Máquinas. La combinación mejorará el portafolio de Zebra al integrar los sensores inteligentes de Photoneo y la tecnología de luz estructurada paralela con los sensores avanzados y las capacidades basadas en AI de Zebra.
La fusión se enfocará en aplicaciones de alto valor que incluyen la recogida de bin, el desapilado, la creación de gemelos digitales y la inspección de objetos en la fabricación automotriz y la logística. La adquisición sigue a la inversión estratégica de Zebra en Matrox Imaging en junio de 2022 y se basa en una relación OEM existente con Photoneo establecida en 2024. Se espera que la transacción se cierre en el Q1 de 2025, con términos financieros no divulgados.
제브라 테크놀로지스 (NASDAQ: ZBRA)는 포토노를 인수할 계획을 발표했습니다. 포토노는 3D 머신 비전 솔루션의 주요 개발업체입니다. 이번 인수는 제브라가 머신 비전 시장에서 가장 빠르게 성장하고 있는 3D 분야에서의 입지를 확장하는 것을 목표로 합니다. 이 통합으로 제브라의 포트폴리오에 포토노의 지능형 센서 및 병렬 구조 조명 기술과 제브라의 첨단 센서 및 AI 기반 기능이 결합될 것입니다.
이번 인수는 자동차 제조 및 물류 분야에서의 빈 집어들기, 디팔레타이징, 디지털 트윈 생성 및 객체 검사를 포함한 고부가가치 응용 프로그램을 다룰 것입니다. 이번 인수는 2022년 6월 제브라의 매트록스 이미징에 대한 전략적 투자 이후 이루어지며, 2024년에 설정된 포토노와의 기존 OEM 관계를 기반으로 합니다. 거래는 2025년 1분기 내에 완료될 것으로 예상되며, 재정 조건은 공개되지 않았습니다.
Zebra Technologies (NASDAQ: ZBRA) a annoncé son intention d'acquérir Photoneo, un développeur de premier plan de solutions de vision machine 3D. Cette acquisition vise à élargir la présence de Zebra dans le segment 3D à la croissance la plus rapide du marché de la vision machine. La combinaison renforcera le portefeuille de Zebra en intégrant les capteurs intelligents de Photoneo et la technologie de lumière structurée parallèle avec les capteurs avancés et les capacités basées sur l'IA de Zebra.
La fusion s'attaquera à des applications de grande valeur, notamment la préhension de bacs, le dépalettisage, la création de jumeaux numériques et l'inspection d'objets dans la fabrication automobile et la logistique. L'acquisition fait suite à l'investissement stratégique de Zebra dans Matrox Imaging en juin 2022 et s'appuie sur une relation OEM existante avec Photoneo établie en 2024. La conclusion de la transaction est prévue pour le premier trimestre 2025, avec des conditions financières non divulguées.
Zebra Technologies (NASDAQ: ZBRA) hat bekannt gegeben, dass es die Absicht hat, Photoneo zu übernehmen, einen führenden Entwickler von 3D-Maschinenvisionslösungen. Die Übernahme zielt darauf ab, Zebras Präsenz im am schnellsten wachsenden 3D-Segment des Maschinenvisionsmarktes auszubauen. Die Kombination wird Zebras Portfolio verbessern, indem die intelligenten Sensoren und die parallele Strukturlichttechnologie von Photoneo mit Zebras fortschrittlichen Sensoren und KI-basierten Fähigkeiten integriert werden.
Die Fusion wird sich auf hochpreisige Anwendungen konzentrieren, die das Bin-Picking, das Depalettieren, die Erstellung digitaler Zwillinge und die Objektinspektion in der Automobilproduktion und Logistik umfassen. Die Übernahme folgt auf Zebras strategische Investition in Matrox Imaging im Juni 2022 und baut auf einer bestehenden OEM-Beziehung mit Photoneo auf, die 2024 eingerichtet wurde. Der Abschluss der Transaktion wird im ersten Quartal 2025 erwartet, die finanziellen Bedingungen wurden nicht offengelegt.
- Acquisition strengthens Zebra's position in the fast-growing 3D machine vision market
- Expands product portfolio with advanced 3D sensors and machine vision software
- Transaction expected to be accretive to Zebra's profitable growth profile
- Leverages existing OEM relationship established in 2024
- None.
Insights
This strategic acquisition strengthens Zebra Technologies' position in the rapidly growing 3D machine vision market. The deal brings immediate synergies by combining Photoneo's advanced 3D sensors with Zebra's existing software and AI capabilities. The acquisition is particularly valuable as it follows Zebra's 2022 Matrox Imaging purchase, creating a comprehensive machine vision portfolio that addresses high-value industrial automation applications.
This cash-funded acquisition is described as accretive to Zebra's growth profile, indicating positive impact on earnings. The existing OEM relationship between the companies reduces integration risks. The focus on automotive manufacturing and logistics markets is strategically sound, as these sectors are experiencing increased automation adoption and have substantial capital expenditure budgets.
The parallel structured light technology from Photoneo represents a competitive advantage in complex 3D applications, potentially leading to higher-margin revenue streams in the vision-guided robotics segment. This technological edge could help Zebra capture a larger share of the industrial automation market, estimated to grow at a CAGR of 9.3% through 2030.
The acquisition of Photoneo marks a significant technological leap for Zebra's machine vision capabilities. Photoneo's parallel structured light technology offers superior performance metrics in speed, accuracy and resolution compared to conventional 3D vision systems. The technology's proven compatibility with major robotics manufacturers creates immediate market access and validation.
The integration of Photoneo's hardware with Zebra's Aurora software suite creates a comprehensive solution stack that addresses complex use cases like bin picking and digital twin creation. This vertical integration strategy could lead to higher customer retention and expanded market opportunities, particularly in Industry 4.0 applications where precision and reliability are crucial.
The timing aligns with increasing industrial automation trends, where manufacturers are seeking more sophisticated vision systems for quality control and robot guidance. The combined intellectual property portfolio strengthens Zebra's competitive position against other industrial automation providers.
Acquisition accelerates new, high value use cases for customers in automotive manufacturing, logistics and other key markets
By combining Photoneo’s 3D machine vision solutions with Zebra’s advanced sensors, vendor-agnostic software and AI-based image processing capabilities, customers will benefit from a unique portfolio of offerings to address their most challenging use cases. These include high value applications such as bin picking, depalletizing, creating digital twins, and inspecting objects used in automotive manufacturing, logistics and other key markets.
Photoneo’s intelligent sensors are particularly effective within the vision-guided robotic (VGR) segment. They are certified to interface with many of the largest robotic manufacturers for a variety of use cases including robot-arm applications for bin picking. Photoneo differentiates itself through parallel structured light technology in complex 3D applications which provides a faster, more accurate, higher resolution and more robust solution comprised of both hardware and software.
“This acquisition addresses the needs of customers globally who want to maximize the potential of machine vision within their frontline operations,” said Bill Burns, Chief Executive Officer, Zebra Technologies. “Building on Zebra’s proven expertise in autonomous data capture, inspection software and deep learning AI capabilities, this combination expands our portfolio of highly differentiated 3D sensors and advanced 3D machine vision software. We look forward to welcoming the Photoneo team to the Zebra family.”
Zebra has made strategic investments in the Machine Vision market, most recently in the acquisition of Matrox Imaging in June 2022 to augment its portfolio of fixed industrial scanners and machine vision sensors. By acquiring Matrox Imaging, Zebra accelerated its position as a leading provider of machine vision hardware and a broad range of software development libraries and apps now unified within the Zebra Aurora software suite.
In 2024, Zebra and Photoneo created an OEM relationship for Photoneo’s cameras that expanded Zebra’s 3D portfolio offering.
“Zebra Technologies will provide an ideal environment for Photoneo to further accelerate its innovation,” said Jan Zizka, Co-founder and CEO, Photoneo Brightpick Group. “By combining world-class 3D sensors from Photoneo with Zebra’s global reach and best-in-class 3D software, customers will be able to unlock considerable business value from machine vision across new, exciting use cases.”
This acquisition is accretive to Zebra's profitable growth profile while advancing the company’s portfolio of machine vision solutions. Zebra expects to fund the purchase price with cash on hand. The transaction is subject to closing conditions and expected to close in the first quarter of 2025. Financial terms of the acquisition are not being disclosed.
A&O Shearman LLP is serving as legal counsel to Zebra. Dentons is acting as legal counsel and Evercore Partners International is acting as financial advisor to Photoneo.
Zebra Technologies Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains forward-looking statements, as defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, without limitation, the statements regarding the company’s outlook and the ability to complete the acquisition. Actual results may differ from those expressed or implied in the company’s forward-looking statements. These statements represent estimates only as of the date they were made. Zebra undertakes no obligation, other than as may be required by law, to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, changed circumstances or any other reason after the date of this release.
These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, forecasts and assumptions and are subject to the risks and uncertainties inherent in Zebra’s industry, market conditions, general domestic and international economic conditions, and other factors. These factors include customer acceptance of Zebra’s hardware and software products and competitors’ product offerings, and the potential effects of technological changes. The continued uncertainty over future global economic conditions, the availability of credit and capital markets volatility may have adverse effects on Zebra, its suppliers and its customers. In addition, a disruption in our ability to obtain products from vendors as a result of supply chain constraints, natural disasters or other circumstances could restrict sales and negatively affect customer relationships. Profits and profitability will be affected by Zebra’s ability to control manufacturing and operating costs. Because of its debt, interest rates and financial market conditions will also have an impact on results. Foreign exchange rates will have an effect on financial results because of the large percentage of our international sales. The outcome of litigation in which Zebra may be involved is another factor. The success of integrating acquisitions could also affect profitability, reported results and the company’s competitive position in its industry. These and other factors could have an adverse effect on Zebra’s sales, gross profit margins and results of operations and increase the volatility of our financial results. When used in this release and documents referenced, the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “outlook,” and “expect” and similar expressions, as they relate to the company or its management, are intended to identify such forward-looking statements, but are not the exclusive means of identifying these statements. Descriptions of the risks, uncertainties and other factors that could affect the company’s future operations and results can be found in Zebra’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the company’s most recent Form 10-K.
ABOUT PHOTONEO
Photoneo is a leading provider of robotic vision and intelligence. Based on a patented 3D technology, Photoneo developed the world’s highest-resolution and highest-accuracy 3D camera, thus unlocking the full potential of powerful, reliable, and fast machine learning and also reducing the training and deployment time. By bringing intelligent robots into the field, Photoneo helps companies mainly in the automotive, logistics, e-commerce, food, and medical industries to improve the performance and efficiency of their manufacturing, fulfillment, and assembly processes. For more information, visit https://www.Photoneo.com.
ABOUT ZEBRA TECHNOLOGIES
Zebra (NASDAQ: ZBRA) helps organizations monitor, anticipate, and accelerate workflows by empowering their frontline and ensuring that everyone and everything is visible, connected and fully optimized. Our award-winning portfolio spans software to innovations in robotics, machine vision, automation and digital decisioning, all backed by a +50-year legacy in scanning, track-and-trace and mobile computing solutions. With an ecosystem of 10,000 partners across more than 100 countries, Zebra’s customers include over
ZEBRA and the stylized Zebra head are trademarks of Zebra Technologies Corp., registered in many jurisdictions worldwide. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. ©2024 Zebra Technologies Corp. and/or its affiliates.
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Source: Zebra Technologies Corporation
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