Statement from MACO:
The MACO Group is acquiring a majority stake in ekey biometric systems GmbH. This brings together two strong Austrian companies: MACO contributes its experience in hardware technology and building automation, whilst ekey brings its expertise in biometric and digital access solutions.
Together, MACO and ekey aim to further develop smart building access and create new solutions that effectively combine mechanics, automation and biometrics. For customers and partners, this means, above all, more options for modern, convenient and connected building access.
As part of the investment, Manuel Biechl, Chief Sales Officer of the MACO Group, and Michael Gallner-Holzmann, representing ekey’s owner family, will take over the management of ekey biometric system GmbH. The ekey brand, the existing product portfolio and the established partnerships will remain in place.
“With ekey, we are expanding our expertise in the field of smart building access. Together, we are creating new opportunities and innovative solutions for our customers,” says Manuel Biechl, summing up the shared vision.
Statement from ekey:
The goal of the partnership is to combine the technological strengths of both companies, further develop solutions for smart building access, and tap into new international growth opportunities.
“With MACO’s commitment, we have found a strong partner to help us implement our future growth strategy. It is particularly important to us that we maintain our technological expertise, our innovative strength, and our long-standing relationships with our customers and partners, while at the same time taking advantage of new opportunities that arise from this collaboration,” says Michael Gallner-Holzmann
ekey remains ekey: The brand and our long-standing partnerships remain unchanged
The ekey brand and the existing product portfolio will remain unchanged, as will the long-standing, proven business relationships with door, lock, and hardware manufacturers, as well as companies in the electrical, building, and smart home technology sectors. At the same time, the partnership opens up new opportunities to further develop technologies and products and to create additional value for customers and partners.
Investment in Austrian technological expertise
Both companies have close ties to their Austrian locations: MACO is headquartered in Salzburg, and ekey in Linz. The partnership thus strengthens two Austrian technology hubs and creates long-term opportunities.
“The future of building access is digital, connected, and user-friendly. With ekey, we are gaining a strong technology specialist that perfectly complements our expertise in the field of smart access solutions. At the same time, together we are sending a clear signal of innovation and value creation from Austria,” says Manuel Biechl, CSO of the MACO Group.
Intelligently combining mechanics, electronics, and biometrics
The partnership opens up new opportunities: Both companies aim to integrate their technological expertise more closely, develop solutions for the next generation of smart building access, and create additional value for customers and partners.
“MACO and ekey have been working together successfully for many years. With this majority stake, we are taking this partnership to the next level and pooling our expertise even more closely. This is how we create comprehensive system solutions for smart, connected building access,” says Mario Neuwirth, CEO of the MACO Group.
MACO press release: https://www.maco.eu/en-GB/News/MACO-acquires-majority-stake-in-ekey
ekey press release: https://www.ekey.net/en_int/ekey-becomes-part-of-the-maco-group/
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