Strategic partnership offers new opportunities in transportation sector

Boa Concept and Easy Systems recently announced a strategic partnership that strengthens their position in the logistics sector. Boa Concept, a French specialist in modular and scalable automation solutions for logistics operations, has acquired 70 percent of Easy Systems' shares. Easy Systems is a Belgian-Dutch company specializing in handling and internal transport systems.

The collaboration between the two companies aims to leverage their complementary expertise and offer a wider range of solutions for logistics and manufacturing companies. Easy Systems operates mainly within the Benelux with an extensive range of conveyor systems and aluminum structures. Boa Concept, on the other hand, provides intralogistics solutions such as automated storage, robotic solutions and transport systems mainly in France. The daily management of Easy Systems will not change and will remain in the hands of Wim Vandewijer (CEO) and
David Taverniers (CSO). 

The two automation companies have been working together for several months now, says Nawel Bekkaye, marketing and communications officer at Boa Concept. "We really notice that the expertises of both companies complement each other. We learn a lot from each other. This collaboration is also not a takeover from us, but really a partnership in which we can use and deploy each other's solutions for a new market."

More flexible and efficient

The combination of Boa Concept's modular automation platform and Easy Systems' experience in the Benelux market offers significant benefits to customers. It allows them to respond more flexibly and efficiently to changing market demands, such as the growing need for e-commerce and omnichannel logistics. 

In addition, this cooperation strengthens both companies' position in Europe, where they can now serve a broader customer base with customized solutions. Bekkaye: "Boa Concept as a group - can support Easy System as an integrator of global solutions in the Benelux market." 

Bekkaye gives examples: "Our expertise in IT allows us to make our products better and smarter all the time. For example, in the area of automated storage systems. We work with automated shuttles that bring boxes to the pickers. With that robotization, our customers can work faster and more efficiently."

Optimizing warehouse processes

Thus, an important aspect of the cooperation includes expanding product offerings. By combining Easy Systems' expertise with Boa Concept's modular automation approach, both companies can help customers optimize their warehouse processes and intralogistics. This synergy creates a more attractive offering for companies looking for flexible, scalable and cost-effective automation solutions.

The collaboration allows both companies to further differentiate themselves from the competition. Bekkaye: "We both use our networks now. And because we have so much expertise in IT, we can provide the very best solutions. For example, controlling all of a company's mechanical solutions with one software system. And our help desk is available to customers 24/7: that also sets us apart in the market."

A close collaboration

How do you like the collaboration? "Very good," Bekkaye says. "We are building more synergy between our design teams. Sometimes it's quite a challenge to work with different teams in different locations. Let alone in different countries. But together we make it work." 

And both companies are very proud of that collaboration. "We have built a strong bond in a very short time. In fact, our companies have only known each other for one year. But because we work and think very much in the same way, we manage to work well together." Both teams have gained a lot of trust from management. "And that is now paying off. You really see everyone working very hard and working together. We really work as a team now, even though there are sometimes cultural or regional differences between the teams. We learn from each other to deliver the best solution to the customer: that is our main goal."