PTV Group integrates Route Planning Software Company Conundra to strengthen its global logistics portfolio
Karlsruhe, Germany; Oosterzele, Belgium / 8 December 2022. PTV Group, the global market leader for mobility and logistics software, today announced the integration of the Belgian route planning software provider Conundra into its global logistics portfolio. By joining forces with Conundra, PTV is pursuing its global consolidation course and further strengthening its logistics offering. Combining Conundra’s state-of-the-art SAAS product with PTV’s software solutions for route planning and optimization will open new opportunities for innovation and growth.
Since its foundation in 2013 by Dr. An De Wispelaere and Dr. Ir. Steven De Schrijver, Conundra has grown from a team of 2 to 65 persons developing innovative logistics planning software. Conundra’s cloud-data platform OptiFlow is characterized by very fast algorithms and automation, delivering additional transport cost reductions through continuous improvement, even in complex environments.
The demand for efficient solutions in route planning and optimization is increasing – not least due to the steady growth in e-commerce. In 2020, the freight forwarding market was sized at around 161 billion euros and is expected to increase by around 5% annually, up to 207 billion euros by 2025 (source Statista). By bringing their technologies together, PTV Group and Conundra will create a strong, new logistics division and expand their leading market position by tackling a larger part of the logistics value chain. This will further accelerate PTV Group’s SaaS product offering and keeps it ahead of the market in terms of algorithm quality. The new logistics division will serve a broader customer base and offer both existing PTV and Conundra customers improved algorithms and data as well as additional use cases to enhance savings in costs and emissions.
“Conundra is a dynamic, fast-growing company. Their founders Steven De Schrijver and An De Wispelaere have shared a profound passion for optimization for many years and succeeded in bringing a solution to the market that stands out for its algorithms and speed,” says Christian U. Haas, CEO of PTV Group. “I’m excited about this new endeavour for Conundra and PTV. From now on, the smartest minds in logistics software development will be working together, continuing to deliver highest quality solutions, and taking transport planning processes to the next level.”
Steven De Schrijver and An De Wispelaere add: “PTV is a world-class leader in logistics that we’ve met on multiple occasions in commercial trajectories. In each of these encounters, we were impressed by the maturity and global reach of their organization and team. Being able to infuse their state-of-the-art software and map technologies with Conundra’s unprecedent algorithmic power, unlocks a great opportunity to make a true dent in the logistics universe, both ecologically and economically.”
Carsten Kratz, Partner and Head of DACH at Bridgepoint, said: “After strengthening PTV Mobility with the acquisition of Econolite in March, PTV continues on its consolidation path on the logistics side: following the addition of Axylog in summer, we are now delighted that Conundra is joining the group. Conundra and PTV Logistics complement each other optimally in terms of customer segmentation, data access and algorithm capabilities. Going forward, it will remain our ambition to build two distinct market leaders – one in intelligent traffic simulation and management, and one in logistics route optimisation – by further enhancing both the Mobility and Logistics businesses.”
The partners have agreed not to disclose financial details of the transaction.
About Conundra
After being the new kid on the block 10 years ago, Conundra has reached a leading spot in the world of routing software. With a sharpened focus on Route Optimization the company developed the cloud-data platform OptiFlow which is based on record breaking algorithms. More and more transport companies and shippers have replaced their existing software with Conundra’s OptiFlow. As a result, those companies were finally able to realize the theoretical saving potential of route planning automation in practice. Technology, talent, and passion are the Conundra cornerstones. Cutting-edge technology is applied to find better and faster solutions for any type of routing problem. Academic and experienced talent is actively sought, trained internally and externally and continuously challenged to further develop. Passion is what unites the team daily to deliver high quality solutions to a wide variety of customers
About PTV
PTV Group is a leading global software company for traffic planning, simulation, and real-time management as well as a provider of optimization solutions for transport logistics. With more than 40 years of experience in the fields of mobility and logistics, the Germany-based company provides software products based on proprietary algorithms ranging from microscopic and macroscopic modeling and simulation of traffic to real-time traffic management, benefiting more than 2,500 cities and municipalities. In addition, PTV is one of the leading companies providing software for the planning and optimization of logistics processes, especially in the field of route planning and tour optimization. Bridgepoint acquired a majority stake in the company in January 2022 in order to further accelerate its growth together with Porsche Automobil Holding SE, which continues to hold a minority stake in PTV.
PTV. Empowering mobility.
PTV Group takes a holistic approach that integrates all aspects of traffic, transport and logistics to create and promote sustainable mobility. The PTV Group provides software solutions and consulting services to empower mobility and transport for a cleaner and smarter future. Its best-in-class software for intelligent traffic management and transport optimization enables decision-makers in politics, cities, industry, and trade save time and money, make roads safer, and protect the environment. PTV’s software simulate and demonstrate today how tomorrow’s mobility, with all its ecosystems and dimensions, can be realized – from strategic transport planning to micromobility for the first/last mile.
The company was established in 1979. Today, approximately 900 employees worldwide work on future-oriented solutions to create intelligent and eco-friendly mobility for everyone.