IBS acquires Australian software developer TMSNews & Events 2005-03-01 IBS, a corporation publicly listed on the Stockholm stock exchange with offices in 22 countries, has acquired all the shares of Australian software developer TMS as of 1st March. IBS’ largest shareholder is the Ikea Group.
1st March, 2005: IBS is a world leading provider of supply chain management solutions for distribution, demand-driven manufacturing, financials and business intelligence with group revenue of around US$350 million.
TMS provides a niche supply chain solution for the publishing and consumer electronics industries. TMS has 60 employees and a history of strong profitability and the expanded IBS Australia will have over 100 employees. Significant growth is expected in 2005 over last year’s combined revenue of US$18 million. TMS’ management and staff will continue working in the new entity.
“The acquisition of TMS is in line with IBS’ strategy to specialise in supply chain management solutions within selected markets where IBS is an international market leader or has the potential to become the leader,” says Magnus Wastenson, CEO and President of IBS.
“We are already very successful in Australia,” he continued. “By acquiring TMS we will not only increase our market share in Australia but we will also become the leading software supplier to the publishing industry. TMS’ publishing solution, Bookmaster, is already used by more than 80 publishers in 17 countries and is the most widely used publishing ERP in the world. By using IBS’ international network we will have the opportunity to further expand our significant presence in the publishing industry, a segment where the largest ERP suppliers have struggled to establish themselves.”
Staffan Wensing, MD of IBS Australia, added “TMS is a well managed company with an impressive set of customers, excellent software and very competent people. TMS’ customers include major publishers like Penguin, Pearson, HarperCollins, McGraw-Hill, Macmillan, Elsevier and Harvard University Press as well as international consumer electronic distributors including Hagemeyer, Pioneer, Makita and Sanyo.
“We will continue to support and develop TMS’ solution and Australia will be an international competency center within the IBS Group. Because both companies use the same base technologies we see strong synergies in our product offerings.”
“This is an excellent outcome for TMS and for our customers” stated Jim Abad, CEO and founding director of TMS. “IBS’ international presence, their strong technology and their support resources will enable us to further strengthen our position in the major international publishing markets of North America, UK, and Europe. They will also help ensure our existing customers can look forward to continuity and certainty.”
For more information contact:
Mike Irving, Sales & Marketing Manager TMS Tailor Made Systems Ph: 02 9761 9222 Mobile: 0414 311 406 www.tms.ws
Staffan Wensing, Managing Director IBS Australia Ph: 02 9454 6100 Mobile: 0414 559 790 www.ibsaustralia.com
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