Kornit goes end-to-end with cloud buy

Kornit Digital is acquiring Custom Gateway, an innovative technology provider of cloud-based software workflow solutions for on-demand production business models.

Kornit – which develops on-demand digital textile print systems for t-shirts, sports shirts, pillowcases, cushion covers, lamp shades and all kinds of fabric applications – says the acquisition will enable it to provide a connected workflow for on-demand textile printing from brands, retailers and suppliers to printers.

Andy Yarrow, vice president of Kornit Asia Pacific said, "It means Kornit will be able to offer a dedicated textile and garment printing web-to-print portal to connect printers using Kornit technology directly with their customers, and with the wider market."

Ronen Samuel, Kornit Digital CEO said, “Brands, retailers, suppliers, and fulfillers of all sizes stand to grow considerably through digital transformation, and with Custom Gateway, Kornit will revolutionise on-demand digital textile production with an end-to-end solution, giving us a powerful competitive advantage in the market.”

 

Kornit Australia is headed by well known industry identity Ashley Playford-Brown, and represented by Kissel + Wolf.

Kornit says the Custom Gateway robust and functionality-rich cloud platform is suitable for both B2B and B2C business models, and handles all steps of efficient on-demand production.

The platform enables content sourcing, creation, content management, and display at the front end. Orders created are captured by a robust order management system and are directed to the appropriate back-end production sites using sophisticated routing algorithms.

Once orders proceed to the production floor, they are smartly routed and managed, to allow for efficient on-demand production on a mass scale. The entire process from order creation to shipment is enriched with integrations to existing IT environments, data-driven decisioning, and business intelligence analytics.

By seamlessly connecting front end (online or other storefront) to the most suitable back end (on-demand production and logistics operation), the technology enables customers to realise the full efficiency, scalability, and profitability benefits of digitisation.

Supplementing the Kornit Konnect platform for visibility and control of print operations, Kornit says the Custom Gateway platform offers Kornit customers valuable business insights for agility in the face of market dynamics and disruption.

Custom Gateway already has 300 active customers globally, including brand names such as the UK’s largest fashion retailer Next, as well as other leading sports, fashion, and content brands.

“We’re excited about bringing these two creative cultures together and know from experience that Kornit and Custom Gateway are built upon a common vision,” said Andrew Talbot, Custom Gateway CEO. “Together, we will provide global brands and fulfillers optimal control of their business, ensuring swift, socially responsible fulfillment, and in a profitable model that produces and ships orders in real time, without excess inventory or labour.”

“On-demand production is overtaking traditional retail models, and the producers who harness all available data will win the marketplace,” said Omer Kulka, Kornit Digital CMO. “We’re excited to welcome Custom Gateway to the Kornit family, a development that will ultimately give end consumers the products and experiences they expect.”