The Finnish company, once queen of the mobile phone industry, announce the incorporation of the French company for 170 million euros.
Great activity within the sector of the consumer technology that shows interest on health measure systems. Finnish multinational Nokia, once queen of the mobile phone industry until the rise of the so called “smartphones” has announced the acquisition of the French firm Withings in 170 million euros.
With this purchase, the veteran firm will integrate a company founded as recently as 2008 but who is already an important player in the so called “digital health” sector, providing several products as exercise and sport bracelets, smart scales, thermometers, baby monitors, and devices to monitor among other things, the arterial pressure.
A whole eco system oriented to improve the health of its users designed to encourage them to live a healthier life.
Founded in 2008 by Eric Carreel y Cedric Hutchings, current president and delegate councelor, Withings has now a 200 people staff who operate from their offices based in Paris, Cambridge or Hong Kong. They have established a niche over the last years during the recent years at the height of «wearable» technology and concern of manufacturers with health devices, such as smart watches or bracelets monitoring physical activity and sport.
«With this acquisition, Nokia strengthens its position in the Internet of things in a way that harnesses the power of our trusted brand, fits with our corporate purpose of the expansion of human possibilities in this connected world, and puts us in the center of a very large potential market where we can make a significant difference in the lives of people, «said the president and CEO of Nokia, Rajeev Suri, in a statement issued by the company itself.
The Finnish firm thereby enters an area where the company has paid special attention. «We have always said that the digital health is an area of strategic interest for Nokia and we are now taking concrete steps to seize the opportunity in this large and important market measures,» added the executive.
In turn, the French firm has expressed their joy on this business move. «When Nokia contacted us, it was inspiring to discover what our visions were perfectly aligned,» explains Cédric Hutchings, CEO of Withings. «We were impressed by Nokia´s plans for preventive health and health care»
Sources
http://www.enter.co/cultura-digital/negocios/salud-digital-el-nuevo-negocio-de-nokia/
http://www.mediatelecom.com.mx/index.php/component/k2/item/106207-
