Körber and Valmet partner in joint venture to advance digital solution FactoryPal

Hamburg, 30 May 2024 – Körber and Valmet have reached a joint venture agreement to further strengthen the digital shop floor solution FactoryPal. This strategic partnership will connect FactoryPal's digital excellence with extended machinery expertise to streamline digital optimization across the entire production lines of tissue shop floors and beyond. 

Körber has signed a joint venture agreement with Finnish leading global technology group Valmet. After the successful development of FactoryPal in Körber’s Business Area Digital, the commitment and investment by Valmet will enable growth opportunities in markets and product development, thus enabling FactoryPal to play a leading role in the face of growing demand for digital solutions for production. Valmet will hold the majority share. FactoryPal will continue operating under its existing brand. 

FactoryPal is a modular Software as a Service (SaaS) product that empowers shop floor teams to achieve seamless operations and supports operational excellence digitally and was recently recognized as a top 50 innovator on the DACH corporate ventures map 2024. By generating and utilizing high-quality data, combined with a state-of-the-art user experience and advanced artificial intelligence, FactoryPal acts as a trusted AI-copilot on the shop floor. 

Dr. Nadja Hatzijordanou, CEO of FactoryPal, states: "By setting up this powerful partnership, FactoryPal will be able to advance its product development with extensive machinery and paper making knowledge. This will empower us to deliver further innovative digital solutions across the entire tissue value chain, evolving the product to one of the leading AI-copilot solutions in the industry.” 

Dr. Christian Schlögel, member of the Körber Group Executive Board and CEO of the Business Area Digital: “At Körber we believe that in the future, attaining market leadership will be determined by ecosystem leadership, more than ever before. We are very proud of the successful development of FactoryPal as one of Körber’s digital ventures. This partnership will open new market opportunities and evolve the product to create even more value for customers.” 

“Valmet has a unique end to end offering for tissue producers, from stock-preparation and tissue machines to rewinders, converting and packaging lines, as well as services and automation systems. We see FactoryPal as an excellent addition that will provide performance optimization, not only for converting operations, but eventually also for the entire tissue making process,” says Petri Rasinmäki, Business Line President, Paper, Valmet.   

The setup of the joint venture is subject to customary closing conditions. The earliest possible closing date is 01 August 2024.