Baler and compactor manufacturer Marathon Equipment Co., Vernon, Alabama, has entered into “collaborative commercial discussions” with OnePlus Corp., a Northbrook, Illinois-based maker of monitoring systems, according to a news release issued by OnePlus.
The discussions also will include PragmaTech, which is described by OnePlus as a Canadian corporation with an advanced waste equipment monitoring and diagnostics platform. The purpose of the alliance is “to pursue mutually beneficial IP (intellectual property) licensing and joint innovation opportunities,” says OnePlus.
“The ‘Internet of things’ is rapidly changing the landscape, bringing innovation and efficiencies to disposal of solid and diverted waste,” says Klaus Voss, CEO of OnePlus. “Data aggregated over sophisticated software platforms helps our clients better understand their own corporate DNA with respect to back-end costs and operational performance,” adds Voss.
“Integrating technology-based solutions into core products in the solid waste industry will further differentiate Marathon as a market leader and most importantly, create greater return-on-investment and attendant value for our customers,” says Danny Mauti, CEO of PragmaTech. “PragmaTech’s diagnostics and monitoring solutions for waste equipment are powered by an advanced ERP software Pandora Intelligent Networks, providing transparency, automation and business intelligence to logistics and real-time data collection of our customers.”
The IP licensing and coordinated customer-centric initiatives under consideration involve OnePlus’ and PragmaTech’s remote capacity monitoring technologies for solid waste compactors and associated real-time data access, says OnePlus.
OnePlus says it is focused primarily on building cost-effective sensing technology devices and aggregating data on its user-friendly software platform and delivering that to its clients. PragmaTech concentrates on solid waste consulting utilizing Pandora, providing a range of operational and waste management diagnostics data, including compactor performance and life cycle cost analysis.
“We look forward to developing our respective IP portfolios and innovating collaboratively on new products for the market” says Voss.
“We believe that bringing transparency, simplicity and accountability to all facets of the waste handling processes are essential in the evolution of our industry,” remarks Mauti.
OnePlus Corp. is part of ParkerGale Capital, a Chicago based group that says it looks for “companies with subscription or transaction-based revenue models and $2 million to $6 million in profits” to acquire.
Marathon Equipment is part of Downers Grove, Illinois-based Dover Corp., which describes itself as “a diversified global manufacturer with annual revenue of approximately $7 billion.”