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Nano Dimension Acquires Essemtec AG, Surface-Mount Pick & Place Systems Supplier for the PCB and OEM Industries

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3 years ago

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Acquisition lays groundwork for a breakthrough: Microchips placement as part of additively manufactured electronics solution

Sunrise, Florida, Nov. 03, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —  Nano Dimension Ltd. (Nasdaq: NNDM), an industry leader in Additively Manufactured Electronics (AME) / 3D-Printed Electronics (PE), and Micro Additive Manufacturing (Micro-AM), announced today that it has signed and closed a definitive agreement to acquire Essemtec AG (“ESSEMTEC”, https://essemtec.com/en/) based in Lucerne Canton, Switzerland. 

ESSEMTEC’s product portfolio is comprised of production equipment for placing and assembling electronic components on printed circuit boards (PCBs). They are a leader in adaptive highly flexible surface mount technology (SMT) pick-and-place equipment, sophisticated dispenser suitable for both high-speed and micro-dispensing, and intelligent production material storage and logistic system. Its products are equipped with a sophisticated software package which makes extensive and efficient material management possible.

ESSEMTEC’s equipment and software have been having impact with customers since their first machine was introduced. As their high-tech solution can be adjusted quickly and easily to meet wide ranging requirements, they are able to respond to all manner of customer needs, particularly in high-mix-low-volume production environment. Their portfolio of products will continue to be available to the thousands of organizations that have called themselves a customer of ESSEMTEC, while also being part of the AME revolution that Nano Dimension is driving with its existing technology.

ESSEMTEC financial highlights:

  • 12 months ended 12/31/2020 revenue was $17.2 million; gross margin was 60%
  • 8 months ended in 08/31/2021 revenue was $15.4 million; gross margin was 60%
  • Backlog (signed purchase orders) as of 09/17/2021 was approximately $6.9 million

Transaction outline:

  • Nano Dimension will pay ESSEMTEC shareholders a total sum, in cash, ranging between $15.1 million to $24.8 million
  • $15.1 million will be paid upon closing
  • An additional amount of up to $9.7 million will be paid over 14 months based on a pre-agreed performance-based formulas.

Franz-Xaver Strueby, Chief Executive Officer of ESSEMTEC, commented, “It is an exciting combination of two leading technology leaders serving the PCB and wider electronic industry segments.  The combination of Nano Dimension’s strength in the Americas with ESSEMTEC’s strong presence in Europe will enhance both product lines.  Additionally, I believe that the merger of the technologies will yield enormous influence and transformational momentum in the world of 3D printed electronics and assembly. The ESSEMTEC team, as well as me personally, are looking forward to continuing our journey as part of the combined teams of ESSEMTEC and Nano Dimension.”

Yoav Stern, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Nano Dimension, shared, “ESSEMTEC’s scientists and engineers and other team members, all of whom joined Nano Dimension upon closing of this transaction, are leading experts and industry veterans in machine building, software, mechanical automation, and robotics. They are going to continue to be led by their present management crew, supported by Ziki Peled, COO of Nano Dimension.”

Mr. Stern added, “ESSEMTEC’s present products fit Nano Dimension’s PCB and PCB assembly markets, as well as the Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) verticals which we serve. As such, we hope to leverage the distribution channels and go-to-market efforts of both organizations. In parallel, our mutual vision is to merge the technologies of our micro-electronic 3D-fabrication machines for Hi-PEDs® (Hi–Performance Electronic Devices) with ESSEMTEC’s fuller suite of in-fabrication-process-equipment-assembly capabilities.”

“No less important”, Mr. Stern said, “is our intention to use our newly acquired deep learning based artificial intelligence technologies from our DeepCube acquisition to become the “robotic brains” for ESSEMTEC systems. We expect this will improve yield and throughput and drive a more seamless integration with Nano Dimension’s AME systems. ESSEMTEC’s machines fit the larger picture of Nano Dimension’s vision, aiming to establish “INDUSTRY 4.0” solutions, which entail building an artificial intelligence “distributed digital manufacturing application” rather than just machines as capital equipment. The end goal is to reach a capability for maintaining an inventory of high-end PCB devices, micro-mechanical parts and Hi-PEDs® in digital form: print and assemble them as you need them, where you need them, only the quantity you need, in the best quality at competitive prices, as it is done in highest yield and throughput possible for that point in time, specifically in high mix/low volume scenarios.”

Sullivan & Worcester Tel Aviv and CMS Switzerland acted as legal counsel to Nano Dimension in connection with the acquisition.

INVESTORS CONFERENCE CALL:

November 8, 2021, at 9:00 AM ET
Nano Dimension will host an investor call to update on the above acquisition, on November 8, 2021, at 9:00 a.m. ET. To attend the conference call, please dial one of the following teleconferencing numbers. Please begin by placing your call five minutes before the conference call commences. If you are unable to connect using the toll-free number, please try the international dial-in number.
U.S. Dial-in Number: 1-866-744-5399
Israel Dial-in Number: 972-3-9180692
At: 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time, 6:00 a.m. Pacific Time
Participants can register for the conference call by navigating to
 https://Veidan.activetrail.biz/nanodimension-2021.

A REPLAY will be available after the end of the conference call on the Nano Dimension website.

About ESSEMTEC
ESSEMTEC AG is a company with its development and production site in Switzerland. Its product portfolio is comprised of production equipment for electronic assembly and more. ESSEMTEC’s technology solutions can be adjusted quickly and easily to meet wide ranging requirements.  ESSEMTEC’s core business is adaptive highly flexible SMT pick-and-place equipment, elaborate materials’ dispenser suitable for both high speed dispensing and micro dispensing as well as an intelligent production material storage and logistic system.

All ESSEMTEC’s products are equipped with a sophisticated software package. This software makes an extensive and efficient material management possible. Beyond that it establishes a level of user friendliness and creative leeway in the mounting and dispense design that is unique in the market. ESSEMTEC’s solutions are installed on five continents and in many different environments.

About Nano Dimension
Nano Dimension’s (Nasdaq: NNDM) vision is to transform the electronics and similar additive manufacturing sectors into an environmentally friendly & economically efficient additive manufacturing Industry 4.0 solution, while enabling a one-production-step-conversion of digital designs into functioning devices – on demand, anytime, anywhere.

Nano Dimension plans to execute on this vision by building an ecofriendly and intelligent distributed network of additively manufacturing self-learning & self-improving systems, which are designed to deliver a superior ROI to their owners as well as to Nano Dimension shareholders and stakeholders.

The DragonFly LDM® 3D printing systems serve cross-industry High Performance Electronic Devices (Hi-PEDs®) fabrication needs, by depositing proprietary conductive and dielectric materials simultaneously, while concurrently integrating in-situ capacitors, antennas, coils, transformers, and electromechanical components. The outcomes are Hi-PEDs® which are integral enablers of autonomous intelligent drones, cars, satellites, smartphones, and in vivo medical devices. These products enable iterative development, IP safety, fast time-to-market, and device performance gains. With DragonFly LDM®, a revolution happens at the click of a button, allowing customers to go from CAD to a functional device in a matter of hours instead of weeks; creating products with better performance; reducing the size and weight of electronic parts and devices; enabling innovation; and, critically important, protecting IP, all the while limiting environmental pollution and chemical waste.

Nano Dimension’s Fabrica 2.0 micro additive manufacturing system enables the production of microparts based on a Digital Light Processor (DLP) engine that achieves repeatable micron levels resolution. The Fabrica 2.0 is engineered with a patented array of sensors that allows a closed feedback loop, using proprietary materials to achieve very high accuracy while remaining a cost-effective mass-manufacturing solution. It is used in the areas of micron level resolution of medical devices, micro-optics, semi-conductors, micro-electronics, micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS), micro fluidics and life sciences instruments.

For more information, please visit www.nano-di.com.

Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and other Federal securities laws. Words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates” and similar expressions or variations of such words are intended to identify forward-looking statements. For example, Nano Dimension is using forward-looking statements in this press release when it discusses the potential benefits to Nano Dimension of the acquisition of Essemtec, the potential benefits of ESSEMTEC’s products and their ability to enhance Nano Dimension’s products, the potential for additional payments to ESSEMTEC’s shareholders, the ability of the merger of Nano Dimension’s and ESSEMTEC’s technologies to yield influence and momentum in the world of 3D printed electronics and assembly, the expectation that ESSEMTEC’s scientists and engineers and other team members will join Nano Dimension, the ability to leverage the distribution channels and go-to-market efforts of both organizations, the vision to merge the technologies of Nano Dimension’s micro-electronic 3D-fabrication machines for Hi-PEDs® with ESSEMTEC’s fuller suite of in-fabrication-process-equipment-assembly capabilities, the intention to use Nano Dimension’s deep learning based artificial intelligence technologies to become the “robotic brains” for Essemtec systems and the expectation that this will improve yield and throughput and drive a more seamless integration with Nano Dimension’s AME systems. Because such statements deal with future events and are based on Nano Dimension’s current expectations, they are subject to various risks and uncertainties. Actual results, performance or achievements of Nano Dimension could differ materially from those described in or implied by the statements in this press release. The forward-looking statements contained or implied in this press release are subject to other risks and uncertainties, including those discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in Nano Dimension’s annual report on Form 20-F filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on March 11, 2021, and in any subsequent filings with the SEC. Except as otherwise required by law, Nano Dimension undertakes no obligation to publicly release any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. References and links to websites have been provided as a convenience, and the information contained on such websites is not incorporated by reference into this press release. Nano Dimension is not responsible for the contents of third-party websites.

NANO DIMENSION INVESTOR RELATIONS CONTACT
Yael Sandler, CFO | [email protected] 

U.S. Investor Relations:
Dave Gentry
RedChip Companies Inc.
[email protected]
407-491-4498 or 1-800-RED-CHIP (733-2447)

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AI-exposed sectors experience productivity surge as AI jobs climb and see up to 25% wage premium: PwC 2024 Global AI Jobs Barometer

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2 hours ago

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May 20, 2024

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Sectors more exposed to AI are experiencing almost fivefold (4.8x) greater labour productivity growth (‘AI exposed’ means AI can readily be used for some tasks)Postings for AI jobs are growing 3.5x faster than for all jobs. For every AI job posting in 2012, there are now seven job postingsJobs that require AI skills carry up to a 25% wage premium in some marketsAI-driven spike in productivity could allow many nations to break out of persistent low productivity growth, generating economic development, higher wages, and enhanced living standardsSkills sought by employers are changing at a 25% higher rate in occupations most exposed to AI. To stay relevant in these occupations, workers will need to demonstrate or acquire new skillsLONDON, May 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Sectors more exposed to AI are experiencing almost five times (4.8x) higher growth in labour productivity, according to PwC’s inaugural 2024 Global AI Jobs Barometer, published today.

The report, which analysed over half a billion job ads from 15 countries, suggests that AI could allow many nations to break out of persistent low productivity growth, generating economic development, higher wages, and enhanced living standards.
The report finds that for every job posting requiring AI specialist skills (i.e., machine learning) in 2012, there are now seven job postings.[1] PwC research also finds that growth in jobs demanding AI skills has outpaced all jobs since 2016, with postings for jobs requiring AI skills growing 3.5x faster than for all jobs.
The findings also highlight economic opportunity for labour forces: jobs that require AI skills carry up to a 25% average wage premium in some markets.
Skills sought by employers are changing much faster in occupations more exposed to AI, with old skills disappearing – and new skills appearing – in job ads at a 25% higher rate than in occupations less exposed to AI. To stay relevant in these occupations, workers will need to demonstrate or acquire new skills.
As questions abound around the technology’s impact on everything from job security to long-term business viability, the findings highlight positive news, even for workers in sectors most exposed to AI. The findings also reflect a good news story for workers and the global economy in which AI-enabled workers are more productive and more valuable, opening the door to rising prosperity for workers and nations.
Carol Stubbings, Global Markets and Tax & Legal Services (TLS) Leader, PwC UK, says:
“AI is transforming the labour market globally and presents good news for a global economy hindered by deep economic challenges and concerns around long-term business viability. For many economies experiencing labour shortages and low productivity growth, the findings highlight optimism around AI with the technology representing an opportunity for economic development, job-creation, and the creation of new industries entirely. However, the findings show that workers will need to build new skills and organisations will need to invest in their AI strategies and people if they are to turbocharge their development and ensure they are fit for the AI age.”
Near fivefold productivity growth in sectors more exposed to AI
The findings paint a positive picture of the impact of AI on labour markets and productivity. Sectors most exposed to AI – financial services, information technology, and professional services – are experiencing nearly five times higher labour productivity growth than sectors less exposed to AI.[2]
Jobs that require AI skills carry significant wage premiums
Across the five major labour markets for which wage data is available (US, UK, Canada, Australia and Singapore), jobs that require AI specialist skills carry a significant wage premium (up to 25% on average in the US), underlining the value of these skills to companies. Across industries (in the US for example), this can range from 18% for accountants, 33% for financial analysts, 43% for sales and marketing managers, to 49% for lawyers. While the wage premium differs by market, overwhelmingly this is higher in all markets analysed.
AI penetration is accelerating, particularly in knowledge work sectors
The study finds that knowledge work sectors are seeing the most rapid growth in the share of roles requiring AI skills. This includes financial services (2.8x higher share of jobs requiring AI skills vs other sectors), professional services (3x higher), and information & communication (5x higher).[3]
No going back to yesterday’s jobs markets: the skills building imperative
Companies, workers, and policymakers share responsibility for helping workers build the skills to succeed in a fast-changing jobs market. Skills demanded by employers in occupations more exposed to AI are changing at a 25% higher rate than in less exposed occupations. 69% of CEOs expect AI will require new skills from their workforce, rising to 87% of CEOs who have already deployed AI, according to PwC’s 27th Annual Global CEO Survey 2024. 
Pete Brown, Global Workforce Leader, PwC UK, adds:
“Businesses and governments around the world will need to ensure they are adequately investing in the skills required for both their people and organisations if they are to thrive in a global economy and labour market being transformed by AI. Equally, there is tremendous opportunity for people, organisations, and economies with expertise in new and emerging technologies such as AI. Ensuring a skills-first approach to recruitment as well as continued investment in workforce upskilling is imperative as no industry or market will remain immune to the impact of AI’s technological and economic transformation.”
Scott Likens, Global AI and Innovation Technology Leader, PwC US, concluded:
“AI provides much more than efficiency gains. AI offers fundamentally new ways of creating value. In our work with clients, we see companies using AI to amplify the value their people can deliver. We don’t have enough software developers, doctors, or scientists to create all the code, healthcare, and scientific breakthroughs the world needs. There is a nearly limitless demand for many things if we can improve our ability to deliver them – and limitless opportunity for organisations and individuals that invest in learning and applying the technology.”
Notes to Editors:
About the PwC 2024 Global AI Jobs Barometer
PwC’s new Global AI Jobs Barometer uses half a billion job ads from 15 countries to examine AI’s impact on jobs, skills, wages, and productivity. Analysing data from the past decade and across a large number of sectors, the report provides insight on AI job penetration, salary premiums, vacancy rates and more. The report will be presented at the VivaTech Summit in Paris by PwC global leaders.
About PwC
© 2024 PwC. All rights reserved. PwC refers to the PwC network and/or one or more of its member firms, each of which is a separate legal entity. Please see http://www.pwc.com/structure for further details. 
[1] Refers to six of the fifteen countries analysed: US, UK, Singapore, Australia, Canada and New Zealand.[2] Due to the availability of OECD data, PwC analysis focused on just these six sectors profiled for the period 2018-2022 (2023 data has not yet been released).[3] Other sectors include: Agriculture, Mining, Power, Water, Retail Trade, Transportation, Accomodation, Real Estate, Administrative, Arts and Entertainment, Household Activities, Construction, Manufacturing, Education and Social Activities and ExtraCurricular Activities.
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Loyalty Juggernaut Receives US Patent for Innovative Technology Enabling Individualized Experiences at Scale

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4 hours ago

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May 20, 2024

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3rd Patent Award Adds to Growing IP Portfolio and Reinforces Commitment to Innovation
CHICAGO, May 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — CRMC Show – Loyalty Juggernaut, Inc. (LJI), the loyalty industry’s first cloud-native technology platform for Loyalty Programs, Loyalty Ecosystems, and Digital Marketing, today announced at CRMC that the United States Patent and Trademark Office has awarded a patent (#11978082) for LJI’s groundbreaking use of AI. This patented technology enables brands to deliver individualized offers to program members at scale.

“This transformative feature allows a single loyalty campaign to be personalized and tailored across an entire member base, effortlessly achieving what we call ‘mass individualization,’ which is the stated mission and #1 priority of loyalty programs globally,” said Shyam Shah, CEO and Co-Founder of Loyalty Juggernaut. “This patent marks a significant milestone for us and reinforces our vision of how loyalty programs engage customers by delivering experiences that are 1:1 personalized.”
This marks the third patent for LJI, making their GRAVTY® platform the only loyalty technology globally with patents for three essential capabilities required to future-proof today’s loyalty programs and ecosystems. The other two patents are for:
1.GRAVTY Visual Rules (GVR): The only patented “no-code” rules engine in the loyalty technology industry, empowering loyalty professionals by combining extreme sophistication with extraordinary simplicity  (watch GVR in action here).
2. Multi-dimensional Behavior (1st party data) Tracking: This feature is particularly significant in today’s age of cookie-less consumers, as the reliance on high-quality first-party data grows in driving individualized customer experiences and maximizing the effectiveness of digital marketing and data-driven initiatives.
“Loyalty marketers are always looking for ways to engage customers 1:1 at scale. This innovation is groundbreaking in its use of AI to drive mass personalization, the holy grail of loyalty programs,” said Bill Hanifin, Chief Executive Officer, Wise Marketer Group.
Media Contact: [email protected]
About Loyalty Juggernaut
Headquartered in Silicon Valley, Loyalty Juggernaut, Inc. is the next-gen customer engagement and loyalty solutions enterprise helping brands transform their loyalty programs into data-led businesses to maximize customer value and compete at scale. LJI’s GRAVTY® platform powers over 40 loyalty ecosystems globally, involving 4,000+ participating brands across 12 industries including Retail, CPG, Hospitality, Airline, BFSI, Telco, and multi-brand diversified business conglomerates. Customers include Majid Al Futtaim, Liverpool, Global Hotel Alliance, Deutsche Telekom, Viva Aerobus.
#loyaltymarketing #loyaltyprograms #customerengagement #CX #individualization #personalization
Follow us on LinkedIn. More at www.lji.io
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Vantiva Powers New Vodafone Fiber Router and Wi-Fi 6 Mesh Extender to Enhance In-Home Broadband Experience

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6 hours ago

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May 20, 2024

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CPE leverages Vantiva’s Wi-Fi antenna expertise to connect more than 100 smart devices at ultra-high speeds
PARIS, May 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Vantiva (Euronext Paris: VANTI), a global technology leader enabling Network Service Providers (NSPs) to connect consumers around the world, today announced that it has strengthened its longstanding partnership with Vodafone UK, the largest full fiber provider in the UK, with the introduction of the Wi-Fi 6 enabled Power Hub router and Super Wi-Fi 6 Booster. The customer premises equipment (CPE) leverages Vantiva’s Wi-Fi antenna expertise to offer intelligent Wi-Fi auto-optimization that automatically provides the fastest connectivity across all devices. The router and booster are designed to cost-effectively deliver a superior whole-home Wi-Fi experience to end-users with the ability to seamlessly connect more than 100 smart devices at speeds up to 910 Mbps.

“The introduction of the Power Hub router and Super Wi-Fi 6 Booster are the latest examples Vodafone UK’s continued leadership in bringing advanced connectivity solutions to its customers,” said Mercedes Pastor, Senior Vice-President of the Customer Unit, Eurasia. “This is a step forward in our long-time partnership delivering cutting edge solutions in this market. The outstanding Wi-Fi performance leverages all of Vantiva’s expertise from antenna design to unique testing environments to offer the best in-home wireless experience.”
Vodafone UK’s new Power Hub router is built for fiber-to-the-home network configuration and is easily adaptable for current and future in-home connectivity demands. The Super Wi-Fi 6 Booster works seamlessly with the Power Hub to give reliable coverage throughout the home and is compatible with both existing and previous versions of Vodafone gateways. The extender’s mesh Wi-Fi capability adapts the connectivity to give customers comprehensive Wi-Fi coverage.
As part of Vantiva’s commitment to developing eco-friendly products with low-carbon intensity, the device housing for these products was made from 95% recycled plastic. The packaging was designed using 85% recycled paper, printed with soy ink and uses no plastics.
Vantiva and Vodafone UK have been collaboratively bringing innovative solutions to market in multiple product platforms since 2018 and in fiber since 2022, when the two organizations introduced the first Wi-Fi 6E gateway in the UK, bringing high speed connectivity to homes across the country. 
The Vodafone Power Hub Wi-Fi 6 router and Super Wi-Fi 6 Booster are the latest strategic milestones in Vantiva’s ongoing commitment to providing open and innovative technologies for NSPs and Pay TV operators. Vantiva’s goal is to bring seamless connectivity and premium entertainment experiences to consumers by creating best-in-class CPE and partnering with the most innovative companies in the connected home ecosystem.
Contact: Vantiva Press RelationsThatcher+Co. for [email protected]
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