Private equity house STG has brought two investments in automation and workflow together, combining CAI Software and Print ePS in a move that is being billed as “a merger of equals”.
It adds: “The merger brings together two trusted leaders with a shared vision: delivering best in class software solutions to address complex challenges across specialised manufacturing markets.” The deal does not include the packaging interests of ePS which will operate as an independent software company in the packaging space, until such time as the business is acquired.
The core part of ePS will become the graphic communications division of CAI Software along with process manufacturing and discrete manufacturing. Brent Pietrzak, chief operating officer of IT management platform Flexera, becomes CEO of the enlarged CAI Software.
The merger is designed to strengthen all parts of the business by enabling synergies across locations, customer support, customer development and continued innovation. There will be be 800 employees worldwide, though the majority will be in the US where CAI has through acquisition since investment by STG become a force in ERP for manufacturing, workflow tracking and warehousing across food and beverage and chemicals, automotive and distribution sectors.
It has acquired Trace Register for traceability in the food sector, especially seafood, MarKov for batch manufacturing and launched the ShopMe manufacturing execution system this year.
Despite the merger it will be business as usual for customers says ePS president Doug Surrett who becomes general manager of the division while previous CEO Dan Vertachnik is leaving. The combination will bring benefits in harnessing aspects of AI, cloud computing and extending the workflow into new areas.
The graphic communication division will retain the brands that had been absorbed into ePS through acquisition, including Avanti, EPMS, Tharstern, Nubian, Pace, Monarch, PrintSmith Visions and Technique. There are no plans to drop these.
Pietrzak says: “This merger creates tremendous opportunities for our clients, employees and partners. By aligning our customer centric strategies, we are building a more dynamic, diversified software leader. The management team at CAI is excited to move forward with a shared commitment to innovation, performance and growth.”
