Interview: United under one brand
Allied Vision brings together the expertise of five leading machine vision brands – Allied Vision, Chromasens, Mikrotron, NET, and SVS-Vistek – under a single roof. The company positions itself as a full-service provider of customer-focused, integrated hardware and software solutions. By pooling extensive technological expertise, individual strengths, and diverse industry knowledge, Allied Vision can address customer requirements more efficiently. The portfolio is further complemented by solutions from Euresys SA, a sister company closely affiliated with Allied Vision.
In this interview, Robert Franz, CEO of Allied Vision, explains the background and strategic motivations behind the brand consolidation, highlighting the focus on customer needs.
Euro Security: The merger of five renowned machine vision brands under the Allied Vision umbrella brand represents a significant milestone. What was the main motivation behind this decision?
Robert Franz: Rapid developments in image processing technologies and increasingly complex projects have created strong demand for integrated solutions rather than individual components. Driven by these customer needs, we consolidated our brands under Allied Vision to provide end-to-end solutions from a single source. This merger enables us to respond faster, more efficiently, and more reliably to customer requirements. The goal is to offer seamlessly integrated solutions, ranging from industrial image processing cameras to complete software packages.
Euro Security: The brands now united under Allied Vision each have unique strengths. How are these strengths being leveraged in the new brand structure?
Robert Franz: The individual strengths of each brand are foundational to our success. In the new structure, these competencies are preserved and strategically leveraged to enhance the overall offering. Together, the brands form a robust foundation combining hardware and software expertise, deep application knowledge, and sector-specific insights. Customers can continue to rely on professional guidance when selecting technologies.
Euro Security: What changes can customers expect in the short and long term?
Robert Franz: In the short term, customers benefit from faster product availability and attractive bundled offerings, such as combined camera and frame grabber packages. Over the long term, we will further integrate components to create smarter, more scalable solutions. The focus remains on enabling customers to optimize processes and drive innovation.
Euro Security: What is your primary goal in the first year as a unified brand?
Robert Franz: The primary goal is to be recognized as experts, partners, and pioneers in machine vision. Allied Vision aims to support customers throughout development projects with commitment and deep application knowledge, providing guidance and innovative solutions.
Euro Security: What key message should customers take away regarding the brand change?
Robert Franz: Allied Vision is a reliable partner that understands and meets customer needs. Brand consolidation positions us to address challenges more effectively, offering solutions tailored to specific requirements and supporting informed decision-making for successful implementation.
Euro Security: Customer focus is central to Allied Vision. How will the company strengthen customer support and responsiveness?
Robert Franz: Customer focus remains our top priority. Feedback from numerous surveys shows that customers perceive us as particularly flexible and service-oriented. By combining global expertise with local presence, we can serve customers more efficiently. This approach allows delivery of fully customized image processing systems precisely aligned with customer requirements.
Euro Security: How will Allied Vision function as a full-service provider for 2D machine vision, and what advantages does this offer customers?
Robert Franz: As a full-service provider, Allied Vision offers a one-stop-shop experience, providing integrated solutions from a single source rather than individual components. We cover the entire design-in cycle of customer projects, eliminating the need to work with multiple vendors. All components are compatible and function seamlessly together, accelerating development and implementation. Customers gain access to a comprehensive product range, including line scan and area scan cameras, frame grabbers, shared SDKs, image processing software, and accessories.
Euro Security: What is Allied Vision’s vision for the future?
Robert Franz: The vision is to maintain and grow close, long-term relationships with customers and partners. Allied Vision aims to drive the machine vision industry forward through innovation and a strong partnership culture. Integration within the TKH Group ensures financial stability, long-term planning, and continuous growth.
Euro Security: What are the long-term goals of Allied Vision?
Robert Franz: Long-term goals focus on delivering innovative solutions and excellent service to customers and partners. Investment in research and development will continue, integrating advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence. Collaborations with TKH Group and partners like LMI Technologies allow us to offer increasingly comprehensive and future-proof solutions.
Euro Security: How will Allied Vision address industry challenges and trends, and what role will AI and other technologies play?
Robert Franz: The machine vision industry is evolving rapidly. AI will play a central role in enhancing intelligence and efficiency of solutions. We focus on integrating these technologies to maximize added value for customers.
Euro Security: What role will Allied Vision play within the TKH Group, particularly in collaboration with LMI Technologies, a specialist in 3D vision solutions?
Robert Franz: Allied Vision will continue to be a key pillar of the TKH Group’s machine vision division. Together with LMI Technologies, we combine expertise to develop both 2D and 3D vision solutions and products for future applications.
