Accenture buys product design and tech agency VanBerlo

Accenture has continued is buy-and-build rampage with the acquisition of VanBerlo, an award-winning Dutch product design and tech-focused innovation agency.

One of the consulting industry's most notorious acquirers has struck again, this time in the Netherlands. Following the bolt-ons of Icon Integration in Australia, Mundano in the UK and divisions from Symantec and Sierra-Cedar in the US, the purchases of VanBerlo adds a team of some 90 professionals to Accenture's European Industry X.0 business. 

Accenture’s Industry X.0 business unit helps clients with improving how they design, engineer and manufacture products and services, and operate industrial facilities. The unit builds on capabilities such as design and product thinking, digital technologies, product prototyping and innovation.

The addition of VanBerlo, which has offices in Eindhoven and The Hague, bolsters the firm’s Dutch Industry X.0 practice. Founded in 1982, VanBerlo brings an extensive track record in innovation and product strategy, software, user experience design, and prototyping to the global consulting giant, with a focus on sustainable solutions. 

Using technologies such as internet of things, artificial intelligence and data analytics, VanBerlo helps clients to combine physical objects with digital services, enabling them to provide more personalised offerings and convenience to users while simultaneously offering new commercial avenues. 

VanBerlo’s client base spans organisations in many industries, including fast-moving consumer goods, mobility, healthcare, banking and high-tech. The likes of Gutmann, Damen Shipyard, Dettol, House of Haptics and Nexperia are among the company’s most loyal customers.

“Bringing VanBerlo’s creative team into our Industry X.0 practice will enable us to help our clients develop new business models and generate new revenues from smart connected products and services,” said Frank Rennings, who leads Accenture Digital in the Netherlands. 

Commenting on the joining of forces, Thomas Paulen, CEO of VanBerlo, said, “Our team is looking forward to joining Accenture Industry X.0 and driving innovation for global clients.”

Earlier deals closed by Accenture in the Netherlands are that of innovation agency Happen in October 2019 (which has a team in Amsterdam), Storm Digital in March 2019, and Mobgen in July 2016.