In addition to Ray Sono’s core business, the agency is working to establish itself on the market as a digital service provider to industry. For this, Voith now has a 60 percent stake in Ray Sono AG. The cooperation model is based on the strengths of both partners and combines traditional competencies with new business models.
The aim is to develop industry-related digitisation solutions, especially for the Internet of Things and Industry 4.0. Voith is the pilot customer for Ray Sono in this new business area. In the future, the know-how and resources of this new Ray Sono unit will also be available to the agency’s existing customers, thereby significantly expanding its range of services.
Ray Sono AG continues to operate under its own management and will remain active under its own brand as an independent provider of digitisation services in the B2C and B2B environment. For customers, business partners, and employees, the participation of Voith does not mean any changes.
The partnership between the two companies also aims to implement digital solutions in the Voith portfolio, including the virtualisation of machines and plants as well as the improvement of existing digital applications. “The digital solutions offered and/or to be developed by Voith will offer an intuitive user experience more than ever, thanks to the expertise of Ray Sono. Thus, they will contribute to increased efficiency among industrial customers,” explains Dr. Hubert Lienhard, Chairman of the Group Executive Board of Voith GmbH.
We are pleased to work with Voith to develop this new business area within Ray Sono, which aims, among other things, to develop digital products and services for the industrial sector. The strengths of Ray Sono now come into their own: the interplay of Design Thinking, customer experience, technical implementation, and the support of these complex digital ecosystems.
Thomas Helbing, Executive Board member of Ray Sono
Ray Sono, founded in 1992, currently employs around 200 permanent employees in Munich and Berlin and generated €18.8 million in turnover in the B2B and B2C environment last year. Its customers include Austrian Airlines, BMW, BRITA, DATEV, Deutsche Bahn, Linde, MAN, McDonald’s, and Miles & More. Ray Sono sees itself as a pioneer and facilitator of its customers’ digital transformation and develops digital strategies as well as the applications, products, and services (mobile and personalised) for them.
Voith’s goal is to play a major role in shaping digital transformation in industry. As part of its digital agenda, Voith is expanding its existing products and services to include digital offers. These include new digital solutions for its existing markets in energy, oil & gas, paper, raw materials, and transport & automotive, as well as the development of digital solutions for new markets not yet served by Voith. In 2016, the Voith Digital Solutions Group, which focuses on the development of digital business models for Voith, was founded with around 1,500 employees and sales of around €300 million.
Voith and Ray Sono combine traditional, complementary competencies in their business fields plus a market-leading position and a sustainable, value-based corporate culture. Voith’s participation in Ray Sono is an important building block of our digital agenda, which adds important competencies to our Group.
Thomas Fehr, CEO of Ray Sono AG, says, “By combining Voith’s 150-year technology and process experience with Ray Sono’s 25 years of expertise in digital transformation, we will jointly develop highly innovative digital solutions for the industry. This holds attractive growth potential both for Voith’s core business and for Ray Sono AG as a partner for digitisation, which now has a strong majority shareholder in Voith.”
About Voith
For 150 years, Voith technologies have inspired customers, business partners, and employees worldwide. Founded in 1867, Voith is now one of Europe’s largest family businesses, with around 19,000 employees, €4.3 billion in sales, and locations in more than 60 countries around the world. As a technology leader, Voith sets standards in the energy, oil & gas, paper, raw materials, and transport & automotive markets.
About Ray Sono
Ray Sono, founded in 1992, is one of Germany’s leading digital agencies. Based in Munich, Berlin, Frankfurt and Cologne, the company is a pioneer and the companion of leading companies and brands in their digital channels – from websites to apps to social media. Ray Sono applies digital strategies and implements digital applications with a passion for detail and a consistent, cross-channel customer journey. Ray Sono’s online editorial staff ensures the highest level of sustainable support for all channels.
You want to learn more about Ray Sono? Get in touch!
.png)
