Hofmann & Stirner Feeding Systems (H&S) was founded in 2016 and is headquartered in Münchner Technologiezentrum (MTZ) and develops hardware and SaaS solutions for feeding technology. According to the company, its customer base includes large automation companies and plant operators from the electronics, automotive, and toy sectors, among others.
As has now been announced, H&S is being acquired by Rhein-Nadel Automation (RNA). The family-owned company, headquartered in Aachen, has been developing feeding solutions for over 50 years and can draw on a database of more than 50,000 feeding systems. Florian Stirner, co-founder of H&S, comments:
"With RNA on board, unimagined possibilities arise for our digital technologies, especially for our artificial intelligence. RNA brings extremely valuable knowledge to the technology in the form of big data, which is unique in the market. The collaboration with RNA lays the foundation for further strong growth."
Treasure trove of data and many years of experience
The High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF) invested in H&S together with a Bavarian family office in 2018. Simon Math, Senior Investment Manager at HTGF, commented on the acquisition:
"The high relevance of the feeding technology and the innovative nature of the solution were decisive factors for our investment. In the two years we were involved in H&S, we primarily financed product development and the development of sales. We are extremely satisfied with the company's development in this short time and what the highly motivated (founding) team has achieved. We are delighted to have found a partner for H&S in RNA, who can further develop the company with their wealth of data and many years of experience."
Daniel Hofmann and Florian Stirner, the co-founders of H&S, continue:
"The collaboration with HTGF and the family office was characterized by exceptional trust, great openness, and constructive discussions. The combination of HTGF's expertise in developing SaaS business models and the entrepreneurial experience of the family office were among the key success factors of the past two years. Without the two investors, our success story would not have been possible in this form."
“The digital business model will revolutionize feeding technology and the market”
After the acquisition is complete, H&S will operate on the market as RNA Digital Solutions. RNA Digital Solutions will drive the further development of the SaaS business model and, in the long term, offer digital solutions to other customers outside of the feeding technology sector. Christopher Pavel, Managing Partner of RNA, comments:
"AI and simulation will support us in the future development of our feeding solutions. The digital business model will revolutionize feeding technology and the market. With Hofmann & Stirner, we have a unique opportunity to partially reinvent ourselves."
