Applicom, which specializes in software for industrial management, recently purchased holdings in two companies engaged in the development of software for the industrial market. The first investment was in Aventos Logistics, in partnership with the Argotec Group, also from Formula. Applicom and Argotec purchased 18.1% of Aventos shares for $1 million. They have the option to increase their holdings to 25%, for an additional $0.5 million.
Aventos was founded by Yoni Hefetz and is engaged in the development of Supply Chain Management systems (SCM). The company’s main product is the E-Plan software, installed in Osem, Teva, Polgat and CPC.
Aventos recently began to operate abroad also, following the signing of distribution agreements with several companies which specialize in the same field. The Supply Chain Management systems market is estimated to reach $5 billion in 2000.
In addition, Applicom has recently completed ownership purchase of the Heliogram software company, for $600,000. Heliogram is engaged in developing and marketing software for the computerized warehouse automation management of US integration company BDM, recently purchased by US TRW.
Heliogram owns the rights for the development of software for BDM, worth several millions of dollars and full and exclusive marketing rights to sell the products it develops in Israel and the Middle East. Applicom general manager Lazi Oren told "Globes" that the company plans to retain Heliogram in its original structure and expand its business relations with giant enterprises in the US market.