Kewill spins off logistics software group

By Staff -- Logistics Management, 9/1/2000

British-based Kewill Systems PLC has sold off its logistics software division for $25 million to Swisslog Holding AG. Based in Buchs/Aarau, Switzerland, Swisslog provides integrated materials-handling products and services worldwide.

The deal means that Swisslog will now pick up Kewill's warehouse management systems (WMS) software business in the United States and in the United Kingdom. That unit reported a small loss for the past year. Swisslog, which is looking to enhance its position as a worldwide provider of integrated systems, apparently will try to incorporate the WMS packages into its equipment sales.

Kewill Systems, which is based in Leatherhead, Surrey, U.K., says the disposition will allow it to focus on electronic commerce and related manufacturing activities. Kewill recently launched an online exchange for businesses, called Kewill.Net, to provide trading communities with a suite of supply chain software applications.