Hitachi Acquires German Data and AI Company Synvert to Enhance Global HMAX Operations

Hitachi's Strategic Acquisition of Synvert

In a bold move towards enhancing its artificial intelligence (AI) service capabilities, Hitachi Ltd. has reached an agreement to acquire Synvert, a prominent German consulting firm specializing in data and AI services. This acquisition marks a significant step in Hitachi's strategy to evolve its global operations and accelerate the development of both Agentic AI and Physical AI across various sectors.

Strengthening AI Capabilities

Hitachi's acquisition of Synvert is geared towards honing its AI portfolio as part of its mission to create a Harmonized Society—balancing environmental sustainability, happiness, and economic growth. By acquiring Synvert, Hitachi intends to fortify its HMAX solution, a suite of offerings aimed at resolving challenges in the AI era.

Synvert is renowned for its consultant services in the data and AI fields, providing advanced expertise in areas such as business design leveraging AI, data access governance, integration, and operations. Its partnerships with major cloud data platform vendors—including Databricks, Snowflake, and leading public cloud providers like AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud—underscore its strategic position in the industry.

Enhancing GlobalLogic's AI Capabilities

After the acquisition, Synvert will complement GlobalLogic, Hitachi's US subsidiary specializing in AI and digital engineering. This integration will enhance the End-to-End capabilities necessary to drive advancements in both Agentic AI and Physical AI development. Synvert’s robust presence in Germany, Switzerland, Spain, Portugal, and the Middle East will synergize with Hitachi Rail and Hitachi Energy, fostering HMAX's market expansion.

A Strategic Move amid AI Advancements

Hitachi's AI strategy is guided by the Lumada 3.0 vision, evolving from generative AI to Agentic AI, which autonomously executes complex tasks, finally transitioning to Physical AI, which interacts with the physical world through robotics and IoT devices. With over 1,000 generative AI use cases created across numerous industries, the AI Center of Excellence (CoE) at Hitachi plays a crucial role in its operational framework.

The acquisition of Synvert allows Hitachi's clients to immediately leverage platform-centric designs and highly standardized MLOps, leading to shorter timeframes for the realization of AI-based value and enabling flexible scalability while ensuring safety protocols. The added operational management services will bolster system resilience and contribute to overall cost reductions.

Synvert: A Valuable Asset

Synvert, founded in 1991 and headquartered in Münster, Germany, has successfully completed over 3,000 projects across various industries, such as finance, manufacturing, and energy. They employ more than 550 experts skilled in data governance, advanced analytics, and the construction and operation of robust data infrastructures, thus enhancing Hitachi's capability to manage evolving data environments essential for autonomous systems.

Combining Synvert's strong consulting capabilities with GlobalLogic's VelocityAI platform and digital engineering leadership will expand value across the entire data utilization spectrum for businesses. This approach positions Hitachi to offer scalable, secure, and operationally superior solutions in Agentic AI and Physical AI across various industries.

Leadership Perspectives

Hitachi Executive Vice President Jun Abe emphasized that this acquisition will fast-track solutions addressing critical societal challenges, such as labor shortages in transportation and energy sectors. The integration of Synvert's consultancy expertise with GlobalLogic's digital engineering will enhance Hitachi's competitive edge through effective AI utilization.

GlobalLogic President and CEO Srini Shankar highlighted that consolidating Synvert into their operations is pivotal for reinforcing their global strategy, enhancing their presence in Europe and the Middle East, and accelerating their drive towards innovation through data-driven AI services.

André Holhozinskyj, CEO and CSO of Synvert, considers joining the Hitachi Group a significant step in their growth journey, confident that the partnership will lead to mutual benefits and align with Hitachi's purpose-driven corporate culture.

Looking Ahead

As Hitachi continues to strengthen its AI strategies through strategic acquisitions, the future looks promising for the integration of data-driven innovation in a variety of sectors. The upcoming closing of this acquisition, anticipated by the end of fiscal 2025 pending regulatory approvals, marks an essential phase in Hitachi's global expansion and commitment to advancing AI capabilities.

For more information about Hitachi and its initiatives, visit Hitachi's Official Site