SIE deliver know-how for smart innovations

Hoechst, Austria, October 2022. Fittings manufacturer Blum is entering into a strategic partnership with System Industrie Electronic (S.I.E), also based in Vorarlberg, after acquiring a 75.1% stake in the company. Synergies between the two companies in the specialities of mechatronics and digitalisation will lead to exciting new products for electrical and smart furniture.

System integrator S.I.E generated an annual turnover of 24.8 million euros in 2021 with 125 employees in three sites. Blum's Managing Director Martin Blum explains: "S.I.E's focus is on the interaction of mechanical engineering, electrical engineering and information technology. At Blum, we develop product innovations for electric and intelligent furniture. Together, we can further expand our competencies in the business segments of S.I.E and in our mechatronic and smart development projects."

The close partnership also creates new synergies in the procurement of electronic components and the flexible use of resources in research and development.

Smart furniture – Applications for the furniture of the future Blum has been focusing on the potential of smart furniture for a long time, and was early to start developing mechatronic products for the "furniture of the future". For example, the fittings manufacturer has been offering the SERVO-DRIVE electrical motion support system for wall cabinet fronts and pull-outs since 2006.

AMPEROS brings electricity to furniture, to charge batteries or illuminate furniture interiors

The latest product solution from Blum, AMPEROS, equips furniture with lights and charging facilities for smartphones and household appliances, and there are more electronic applications in the pipeline. It was presented at interzum, the world's leading trade fair for furniture manufacturing and interior design, in 2021.

"In contrast to Blum's core business of mechanical systems, the innovative discipline of mechatronics is very fast-moving and dynamic. S.I.E's employees are deeply focused on this technology, so their know-how is invaluable to us," says Martin Blum.

So now, Blum is combining its own competencies in the field of mechatronics with those of S.I.E which will retain its status as an independent company with its 125 employees and continue to operate the Vorarlberg site plus two sites in southern Germany.

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