MACO Group, the Salzburg-based maker of window and door fittings, is taking a majority stake in ekey biometric systems, the Linz company that makes fingerprint access systems for homes and businesses. The two Austrian companies did not disclose the size of the stake or the price.
ekey was founded in 2002 and describes itself as Europe’s leading provider of fingerprint access solutions. It employs about 80 people, keeps its headquarters, research and development and production in Linz, and has further locations in Germany, Liechtenstein and Switzerland, Italy and Slovenia. It exports to more than 70 countries, with exports accounting for about 80 percent of its business.
MACO, founded in 1947, makes fittings and security systems for windows, house doors and sliding doors and exports to more than 90 countries. It employs about 2,300 people at six production sites and 15 international sales offices, including about 1,200 at three Austrian locations, operates its own research and innovation center at its Salzburg headquarters, and has expanded into window automation and sliding systems through the integration of HAUTAU.
With the deal, ekey becomes part of the MACO Group. Manuel Biechl, MACO’s chief sales officer, and Michael Gallner-Holzmann, who represents the ekey founding family, take over as managing directors of ekey. The ekey brand and its product range will remain, as will its partnerships with door, lock and fittings manufacturers and with electrical, building and smart home technology companies.
The companies said they had already worked together for many years and plan to combine their technology to develop systems for smart building access and pursue international growth.
“The future of building access is digital, connected and convenient. With ekey we gain a strong technology specialist that ideally complements our expertise in smart access solutions,” Biechl said.
MACO chief executive Mario Neuwirth said the majority stake takes the existing partnership to the next level and will produce complete system solutions for intelligent, connected building access.
“With MACO’s involvement we have found a strong partner for realizing our further growth strategy,” Gallner-Holzmann said, adding that it was important to preserve ekey’s technological expertise, capacity for innovation and long-standing relationships with customers and partners.
Sources: OTS
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By the ID Tech Editorial Team
