UK architecture and design firm Aukett Swanke, announced yesterday that it had acquired certain assets of recently liquidated RTS via its subsidiary, the Torpedo Factory Group (TFG). Founded in 2006, RTS is a UK-based master system integrator and smart building software provider for commercial real estate, trading as Vanti.

TFG has paid £37,000 ($47,000) for the assets, with an additional up to £50,000 ($63,000) payable over the next 18 months dependent on meeting certain financial performance conditions deriving from the transfer and retention of certain RTS clients. Aukett Swanke has committed to take on RTS’ staff, to be based in a new Birmingham office, which will form part of the expanding group’s smart buildings offering.

Overall TGF is raising up to £425,000 ($537,000) through the issue of new equity, for the purposes of generating working capital for its increased scale. Around £275,000 ($347,000) is being raised by way of direct subscriptions by certain existing and institutional investors. Furthermore, certain directors and managers of the Group have indicated their intention to subscribe for up to £150,000 ($189,000) on the same terms as the Investors.

“Vanti has been known to the management of our Torpedo Factory Group business for many years. They are well known in the smart buildings sphere, having been contributors to the recent RIBA publication Smart Building Overlay to the RIBA Plan of Work and spoken at this year’s Smart Building Conference in Barcelona.”

Nick Clark, Chief Executive of Aukett Swanke

“Despite its apparently small scale, this purchase provides us with access to a wealth of experience in the delivery of smart building systems. We are delighted to be expanding TFG’s interests to the West Midlands with the opening of a Birmingham office, and to welcome former Vanti employees to the group. We are also excited by the opportunities for the software assets.”

Vanti's software assets include a smart workplace platform called Kahu, which has obvious synergies with Aukett Swanke's previous acquisition Anders+Kern, and an open source commercial building operating system called Smart Core which has the potential to be a "Red Hat for Buildings".

Aukett Swanke Group has been proactive in its approach to growth, leveraging acquisitions as a means to enhance its capabilities in design, technology, and smart building integration. The company's status as a publicly listed entity on the AIM Exchange provides it with greater opportunities to engage in mergers and acquisitions that develop its capabilities in the smart building space.

Smart Building Acquisitions by Aukett Swanke

It was almost exactly one year ago that Aukett Swanke confirmed the acquisition of the Torpedo Factory Group (TFG), an audio-visual specialist turned smart building technology company. Headquartered at an old WWII torpedo factory in London, TFG combines embedded systems, information, and communication technologies to enhance occupant experiences, through its Intelligent Environments division.

In July last year, Aukett Swanke announced the acquisition of Anders+Kern Ltd, a UK distributor of smart workplace systems. Founded in 1989, Anders+Kern’s offering includes a range of hardware, software, and installation services to enhance room/desk booking systems, as well as IoT sensors for monitoring environmental and occupancy data. Notably for a distributor, Anders+Kern provides full end-to-end solutions, from design, planning, implementation, installation, and support.

Then, in October last year, Aukett Swanke announced the acquisition of energy management software and energy efficiency services company TR Control Systems Ltd, which was renamed “ecoDriver Ltd” immediately after the acquisition. Aukett Swanke’ directors believe the firm can grow rapidly as part of the Group, by accessing the Group’s customer base, utilizing the Group’s operational delivery capabilities, and by creating more value from ecoDriver’s extensive ‘data lake’ from its installed base of operational sensors.

“We are pleased to have completed a third acquisition in our Smart Buildings strategy, following the purchases of Torpedo Factory Group in March and Anders+Kern in July this year. ecoDriver is a relatively small but impressive business, which brings proprietary IP and recurring revenues to the Group,” said Clark during the announcement. “The Acquisition gives us scope to develop the use of Artificial Intelligence in building management as the Group continues to expand both its Smart Buildings and architecture activities.”

Yesterday’s Vanti acquisition represents the fourth smart building related acquisition for Aukett Swanke in the past 12 months. The strategic approach to growth demonstrates a clear focus on enhancing its capabilities in smart building technology and sustainable design, with each acquisition expanding the firm’s suite of smart building products and services.

Memoori anticipates more acquisitions from Aukett Swanke as the company continues to explore new opportunities that align with its future vision of combining architecture and smart building management.