ICT services company Ulwembu Business Services has acquired 70% of Smart Integration, an integrated automation company, for an undisclosed amount.
Ulwembu, a South African black-owned management consulting and ICT services company, specialises in facilitating the transformation of private and public enterprises into optimised, digitised organisations, through various technologies and business consulting services offerings.
Smart Integration is a Johannesburg-based accredited system integrator that focuses on the installation of IP-based technology, including lighting, security, audio, energy efficiency, access control, structured cabling and UPS installation.
The company is also certified to professionally design, supply, commission and support integrated projects, and manage data centres and infrastructure solutions within the commercial, government and domestic sectors.
Sibusiso Kunene, Ulwembu MD, says the acquisition is part of an ongoing strategy to expand the company reach.
"Our acquisition of Smart Integration provides us with access to new markets, including the growing local home automation sector, which is touted to reach $61.06 million by 2021."
According to a report by Statista, revenue in the "smart home" market amounted to $32.8 million in 2016 in SA, with revenue in the country expected to show an annual growth rate (compound annual growth rate 2016 to 2020) of 42.46% resulting in a market volume $135 million in 2020.
Glenn Noome, Smart Integration founder, says his organisation welcomes the move.
"The business acumen housed within Ulwembu and its strong focus on transformation within the local industry makes it an attractive partner for us, and we look forward to moving in a positive direction together."
Meanwhile, Ulwembu has also been recognised as a channel service partner (CSP) in South Africa by Huawei.
The Huawei Service Certification Programme establishes service relationships between Huawei and its channel partners. This programme enables CSPs to collaborate and grow with Huawei, provide customers with better services, and improve customer satisfaction.
Sabelo Xaba, solution and innovation manager of infrastructure at Ulwembu, says the CSP certification will open doors for the business. "Attaining this level of partnership with Huawei demonstrates our commitment to providing high quality services within this sector, having invested in building our skills set from both a sales and technical knowledge point of view."
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