Hitachi, Ltd.  has acquired Flexware Innovation, Inc. a leading manufacturing systems integrator (SI) since 1996. Flexware Innovation was a strategic acquisition for Hitachi due to its focus on the TOTAL SEAMLESS SOLUTION^*1 that links “shop floor” and “top floor” with data and digital technology.

With Flexware’s acquisition, Hitachi will strengthen and enhance its business in the domain of Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES), Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA), Software Development, Business Intelligence, and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) implementation capabilities in North America. Also, it will accelerate the digitalization with JR Automation^*2, which engages in the robotic SI & automation. Further, through cooperation with Hitachi Vantara which has expertise in building and deploying Enterprise and Cloud applications^*5, Hitachi will be able to provide TOTAL SEAMLESS SOLUTION from robotic SI & automation, MES, SCADA, BI, and ERP and help manufacturing leaders increase corporate value.

Background & Business Strategy

Specifically, Hitachi’s basic approach for the industry field is to globally develop TOTAL SEAMLESS SOLUTION that solves issues existing in the boundaries between shop floor, top floor, and supply chain to create new business value. It takes advantage of having offerings ranging from products, Operational Technology (OT) and Information Technology (IT) systems integration capabilities to accomplish this.

Above all, it is expected that North America will continue to experience high growth. Also, it will continue to adopt advanced digital technologies, so Hitachi has positioned North America as a key market.

In 2017, Hitachi acquired Sullair^*3, which engages in the air compressor business. In 2019, it acquired JR Automation. Further, Hitachi formed Hitachi Industrial Holdings Americas^*4 in 2020 to strengthen integrated business operations of industry field in the region. Under the Hitachi Industrial Holdings Americas leadership are Sullair, JR Automation, and Flexware Innovation, the newly acquired company.

The global pandemic and resulting supply-chain challenges have caused a continued need for quality and productivity improvements across all industry sectors. Hitachi is uniquely positioned to provide TOTAL SEAMLESS SOLUTION by taking advantage of their global platforms, such as Lumada^*5 coupled with the strength of JR Automation and Flexware Innovation in the IT/OT space.

The Strategy Behind the Flexware Innovation Acquisition

Many technical firms focused on the manufacturing and industrial sectors are solely focused on a particular industry or are limited to the controls or machinery layer. Flexware Innovation is unique because it focused on the Manufacturing Execution Systems space beginning in 1996. Further, it has proven that it can add value to its enterprise clients in many vertical industries, such as Life Sciences, Food & Beverage, Utilities, Metal and Steel, and Automotive and Discrete manufacturing. Its capabilities range from controls engineering and safety assessments all the way up to ERP implementation.

Having developed or implemented many complex enterprise MES solutions, Hitachi plans to leverage Flexware Innovation’s expertise to compliment the capabilities of JR Automation and Hitachi Vantara. Hitachi realizes that the North American market is a prime area for growth and is passionate about adding business value to its clients. This synergy with Flexware Innovation’s history made this partnership an obvious choice. It is important to note that Hitachi plans to support and grow Flexware Innovation’s current customer base which includes notable global brands.

“I am very happy to have Flexware Innovation as a new family member of the Hitachi Group. Moving forward, we will strive to solve customers’ challenges and maximize their corporate value in North America through the combination of Hitachi’s products, OT, IT, and Lumada, which utilizes advanced digital technologies; the SI technologies and development capabilities of Flexware Innovation; the robotic SI & automation of JR Automation, and other resources.” said Kazunobu Morita, Vice President and Executive Officer, CEO of the Industrial Digital Business Unit, Hitachi, Ltd.

“Our people are passionate about solving problems for our customers. This new partnership with Hitachi will allow us to do that on a larger stage, with strong vision and backing from a respected global technology company. We have developed a unique culture at Flexware Innovation that merges perfectly with Hitachi’s Founding Spirit. I am genuinely excited for our future together.” Scott Whitlock, Founder and President & CEO of Flexware Innovation.

Whitlock will remain as President & CEO of Flexware Innovation in partnership with the leaders of Hitachi Industrial Holdings Americas.

^*1TOTAL SEAMLESS SOLUTION is a registered trademark of Hitachi, Ltd. in Japan and US.

^*2Hitachi, Ltd. news release titled “Hitachi Agrees to Acquire JR Automation, a Robotic System Integrator in the U.S.” announced on April 24, 2019.

^*3Hitachi, Ltd. news release titled “Notice of Determination of Transfer Execution Date Associated with Acquisition of U.S.-based Air Compressor Manufacturer, announced on July 6, 2017.

^*4Hitachi, Ltd. news release titled “Hitachi Announces Establishment of Hitachi Industrial Holdings Americas, Inc. to Strengthen the Industry Business in North America” announced on April 1, 2020

^*5Lumada: A collective term for solutions, services and technologies using Hitachi’s advanced digital technologies to generate value from customer data and accelerate digital innovation