Interview: United under one brand

Allied Vision unites the Machine Vision brands Allied Vision, Chromasens, Mikrotron, NET, and SVS-Vistek under one brand, becoming a comprehensive provider of customer-centric, integrated hardware and software solutions. The companies will combine their extensive technological expertise, individual strengths, and diverse industry knowledge. The range of solutions is complemented by offerings from Euresys SA, a sister company that is closely affiliated with Allied Vision.

In an interview, Robert Franz, CEO of Allied Vision, explains the importance of customer-centricity and other motivations for this new approach. 

Question:
The unification of five renowned machine vision brands under the Allied Vision umbrella brand marks a significant milestone in the companies' history. What was the primary motivation behind this decision?
Robert Franz:
With the rapid development of image processing technologies and growing project complexity, customers increasingly demand integrated solutions rather than single components. Driven by the needs of our customers, we have united our brands under the Allied Vision name to offer customers a one-stop-shop experience. By joining forces, we can respond to our customers' needs faster, more efficiently and more reliably. Our goal is to offer seamlessly integrated solutions under a unified brand, ranging from industrial machine vision cameras to image processing software.

Question:
The brands that are now grouped under Allied Vision have their own strengths and unique qualities. How will the individual strengths of these companies be taken into account in the new brand structure?
Robert Franz:
The individual strengths of our brands are a cornerstone of our success. In the new structure, we will not only preserve these strengths but also leverage them to enhance our offerings. Our goal is to continue providing our customers with solutions from a wide range of technology areas. Together, all the brands form a foundation built on combined hardware and software expertise, deep application know-how, and specific industry insights. Customers can therefore continue to rely on our professional advice when selecting their preferred technology.

Question:
What changes can customers expect in the short and long term?
Robert Franz:
In the short term, customers will directly benefit from faster availability and attractive product bundles, such as the combination of cameras and frame grabbers. In the long term, we will continue to connect our individual components to create smarter and more scalable offerings. Our focus is on empowering our customers to optimize their processes and drive innovation.

Question:
What is your greatest goal in the first year as a unified brand?
Robert Franz:
Our greatest goal is to be recognized as what we are: experts, partners, and pioneers in the machine vision industry. We aim to inspire our customers to see that Allied Vision not only offers tailored solutions but also stands alongside them as a committed advisor, bringing passion and deep application knowledge to every stage of development. Together, we are dedicated to shaping the path into the future.

Question:
What do you want to convey most clearly to customers regarding the change?
Robert Franz:
We want to clearly convey to our customers that Allied Vision is a reliable partner who deeply understands and fulfills their needs. By bringing our brands together, we are now better equipped to address the challenges our customers face and provide solutions that are precisely tailored to their requirements. We empower our customers to make smarter, more confident decisions and successfully achieve their goals by offering cutting-edge solutions and technologies.

Question:
Customer centricity is a central promise of Allied Vision. What measures does the company plan to take to strengthen customer support and respond more quickly and efficiently to customer requirements?
Robert Franz:
Customer centricity is and remains our top priority. As we know from numerous customer surveys, our customers already perceive us today as particularly customer-friendly and flexible. United, we can combine our global expertise with local presence, which means we can serve our customers even better and faster. With our ability to "make things possible," we are able to deliver tailored vision systems that are precisely made for our customers' specific needs. We empower our customers to make smarter, more confident decisions and successfully achieve their goals by offering cutting-edge solutions and technologies.

Question:
How will Allied Vision function as a comprehensive provider of 2D machine vision solutions, and what benefits will this offer to customers?
Robert Franz:
We offer our customers a one-stop-shop experience and the convenience of receiving integrated solutions rather than individual components. United, we possess expertise spanning the entire design-in cycle of a customer's project. This means our customers no longer have to navigate between multiple providers to find solutions for their needs. All our components are designed to be fully compatible, working together seamlessly to significantly accelerate the development and implementation of solutions. Our customers benefit from our comprehensive product portfolio, including line scan cameras, area scan cameras, frame grabbers, a shared SDK, image processing software, and accessories – all from a single source. This streamlined approach simplifies the process for our customers, providing them with a cohesive and reliable system that meets all their machine vision needs.

Question:
What is the vision for the future?
Robert Franz:
Our vision is to continue building and nurturing lasting partnerships with our customers and partners. We see ourselves as a driving force in the machine vision industry, driven by innovative solutions and a strong culture of collaboration. With the financial security and reliability provided by the TKH Group, we have the foundation to plan for the long term and grow continuously, empowering us to make a lasting impact in the industry and deliver exceptional value to our customers and partners.

Question:
What are the long-term goals of Allied Vision?
Robert Franz:
Our long-term goal is to inspire our customers and partners with innovative solutions and exceptional service. We will continue to invest in pioneering research and groundbreaking development, integrating the latest technologies such as artificial intelligence into our solutions. Through our close collaboration with the TKH Group and partners like LMI Technologies, we will be able to offer even more comprehensive and future-proof solutions, empowering our customers to achieve their full potential and shaping the future of machine vision together.

Question:
How will Allied Vision address the challenges and trends in the industry, and what role does the company see for Artificial Intelligence and other technologies in the future of machine vision?
Robert Franz:
The machine vision industry is evolving dramatically, and we are well-positioned to meet these challenges head-on. Artificial Intelligence will play a central role in making our solutions even more intelligent and efficient. We will focus on seamlessly integrating these technologies to deliver unprecedented value to our customers, transforming the way they approach machine vision and empowering them to achieve new heights of innovation and productivity. By embracing the potential of AI and other cutting-edge technologies, we aim to revolutionize the industry and set new standards for excellence.

Question:
What will be the future role of Allied Vision within the TKH Group, particularly in terms of collaboration with LMI Technologies, the specialist for 3D vision solutions?
Robert Franz:
Allied Vision will continue to play a vital role within the TKH Group, forming a powerful partnership with LMI Technologies as two pillars of the Machine Vision division of the TKH Group. This unparalleled synergy enables us to combine our expertise, driving innovation and growth as we develop and deliver unique 2D and 3D vision solutions and products that shape the future of machine vision. By working together, we are poised to unlock new possibilities and create unprecedented value for our customers, solidifying our position as leaders in the industry.