Rakon buys stake in Australian start-up Thinxtra for A$800,000

Friday 18th December 2015

Rakon, the high-tech components manufacturer, has bought an 11 percent stake in Australian start-up Thinxtra for A$800,000, seeking exposure in expanding machine-to-machine (M2M) connectivity, known as the Internet of Things (IoT).

The Auckland based company said Thinxtra plans to launch operations in Australia and New Zealand in the second quarter of next year, offering a network, products and services for machine-to-machine communications. Thinxtra's website doesn't provide more detail on those services.

"Rakon sees opportunities ahead with the IoT where there is exponential growth in the number of devices connected to each other, through the advancement of the IoT network and M2M connectivity," it said. "This investment in Thinxtra provides Rakon an excellent opportunity to leverage future IoT opportunities, both through the investment in Thinxtra itself and the business opportunities that Rakon expects it to bring with Rakon's current technology base and ability to develop new products for the IoT market."

Rakon returned to profitability this year by restructuring its business, closing manufacturing facilities in France and the UK and shifting its plants to New Zealand and India, reducing its global workforce and cutting operating costs.

The company turned its focus to the telecommunications sector and away from the lower margin smart wireless device market, however it said the sector had slowed in the latest period as network operators delayed investment decisions in next generation infrastructure, crimping earnings.

Sydney based Thinxtra was registered with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission on May 31 this year.

Rakon shares last traded at 25 cents, and have dropped 26 percent this year.

BusinessDesk.co.nz

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