Anexia strengthens competence portfolio with acquisition of Hex
Anexia continued its growth course in mid-January with the acquisition of Hex. Anexia is thus expanding the software portfolio to include scientific excellence in the field of transportation and logistics. Hex deals with (transport, storage, production & personnel) logistics and was founded in 2017 by Philipp Hungerländer, a two-time habilitated mathematics professor. The startup is focused on research and innovation and is thus able to convince customers like ÖBB-Holding of its products. In recent years, the company has won several research and innovation awards with its IT solutions, most recently the State Prize for Consulting and the Constantinus Award in the category “Digitization/Internet of Things” in January 2021.
In the last few days, Anexia prevailed in a bidding process against 12 other interested parties and is now taking over the shares of Hex. The Klagenfurt-based company had to file for insolvency last month. As part of an orderly restructuring, the continuation of operations will now be secured and the team will be successively taken over by Anexia.
In economically challenging times for start-up companies, Hex will have a stable and financially strong partner. Anexia, in turn, secures a team that, under the leadership of CTO Jörg Pöcher, has earned an excellent reputation in the industry through its vehement desire to develop. This partnership will enable the know-how acquired through research and practical projects to be used optimally in the future and to be further expanded with financial freedom. With the acquisition, Windbichler aims to strengthen Anexia’s market position in the European market in the long term and to increase its competitiveness with major market players by gaining know-how.
“With the integration of Hex, we are reaffirming our goal of attracting the best minds to Anexia. Mathematics luminary Philipp Hungerländer and his team strengthen our competencies in the AI area, especially with their innovative algorithms for optimizing processes. We are looking forward to future collaboration with the renowned scientists and are convinced that this know-how gain will further strengthen Anexia’s comprehensive and innovative cloud portfolio. It also gives us the opportunity to offer new, forward-looking solutions around our cloud platform for other industries. This puts us in a position to strengthen our market position in the long term,” emphasizes Anexia founder and CEO Alexander Windbichler.
Hex founder and professor at the Alpen-Adria-Universität Klagenfurt, Philipp Hungerländer adds: “I had offers from several companies, but the framework conditions offered to us by Anexia were by far the most attractive. The jobs of all employees can be maintained and long-term plans are made with them. In addition, the fulfillment of existing customer and research orders is secured and investments are made in the further development of Hex’s existing business areas and products. Anexia’s established processes and organizational structure will help us in this endeavor. It’s a great feeling to have someone who believes in us.”
Liquidator Michael Pontasch-Müller is also satisfied: “I am extremely pleased with the successful bidding process for Hex’s enormous know-how, in which several absolutely professional Austrian companies each with great visions competed. I hope that this process will serve as a prime example of a successful, early turnaround that brings significant added value for all parties involved. Through this process, it was also possible to preserve jobs while working out an optimum for creditors in the reorganization.”