iMetrex to focus on high-security applications

iMetrex to focus on high-security applications

DATS India Limited, the Chennai-based systems integrator in electronic security, safety and building automation products, has announced its merger with Ireland headquartered Europlex Technologies Limited to form a new entity of iMetrex Technologies with the aim to become a global leader in high security applications across industries.

'As we see huge synergy between our operations that address the entire value chain from product development, manufacturing, distribution and systems integration and solutions to the customers, we have combined our two business models under iMetrex without merging our two brands, Europlex and DATS, that would co-exist in the new entity,' said Anand Mecheri, executive chairman, Imetrex group.

Addressing a press conference yesterday, he said while Europlex will focus on application software and equipment for supplying to many integrators and distributors who offer solutions with third party peripherals, DATS would retain its identity as solutions provider by integrating various products as per requirements.

'DATS as a division of iMetrex would lead India operations in security, safety and automation systems. But we would be scaling up our operations here with the establishment of Global Resource Centre, a manufacturing plant coming up in 70,000 sq ft in phase one over a 4.5 acre campus at Siruseri,' he said. The Siruseri plant, expected to be completed by March 2006, was designed to become a global hub for iMetrex group.

The present 30-member R & D team would be raised to 100 members and Europlex would be retaining its front end operations in Europe with the advantage of sourcing products from the proposed Siruseri plant and the existing facility at Pondicherry, where DATS undertakes licenced manufacturing of a range of intruder alarms, access control, video surveillance, fire safety and intelligence automations in buildings.

With a 15 per cent share in the Rs 500 crore Indian market for security alarms, safety devices and intelligence automation for buildings, the iMetrex group has a consolidated revenue of $23 million (net income of two companies, excluding intercompany sales) and targets to achieve $100 million in sales by 2009. The company hopes to achieve this through 70 per cent organic growth and 30 per cent through inorganic means like acquisitions, Mecheri said.

With offices in Dublin, UK, Hong Kong, Singapore, India, the new company has wide distribution network in Europe, Canada and the US through Euplex. Formed with a capital base of Rs 74 crore 75 per cent from DATS, rest from Europlex, iMetrex group would be a closely held entity formed by the principal shareholders of both DATS and Europlex. Besides, the iMetrex group has invested from Rs 12 - 15 crore in Siruseri complex which would considerably expand its India operations from the present employee strength of 300 people.

Recently, DATS had executed one of the largest installations in access control for Reliance Infocomm across its centres with products supplied from Euplex. 'This merger enables us to market and deliver our products at a much faster speed as well as widens the variety and disciplines of the products that we can now offer,' said Mark Russen, director, Marketing, Europlex.

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