LAWRENCE, Mass., Jan. 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Blacksmith Applications, a leading provider of SaaS-based trade promotion management software for consumer packaged goods manufacturers, announced today its acquisition of T-Pro Solutions of Columbus, Ohio.
T-Pro provides trade promotion optimization solutions to CPG manufacturing companies of all sizes and categories. The state-of-the-art TPO application empowers customers to make more informed and more profitable decisions related to in-store marketing investments. T-Pro's predictive and prescriptive analytics have resulted in an incremental 3-5% annual return on spending for customers – an achievement that can't be taken lightly in an industry often challenged to achieve revenue growth.
The combined company, which manages more than $10 billion in annual promotional spend, will provide best-in-class end-to-end trade promotion and optimization solutions that serve the needs of CPG companies of all sizes across all channels. Blacksmith will retain the T-Pro brand and offering as the principal TPO solution for retail customers, and it will continue to be offered to new clients seeking a user-friendly set of tools for data harmonization, real-time post-event analytics, and constraint-based optimized planning. Going forward, Blacksmith Applications will invest in product enhancements and extensions to meet the needs of both T-Pro and Blacksmith Applications clients.
"The Blacksmith Applications team is on a mission to help customers make sense of and get the most from all their data. T-Pro fits really well into that model. Together we will close the loop and offer the most innovative trade ecosystem in the market," said Terry Ziegler, CEO of T-Pro Solutions. "This partnership is a defining moment in the industry, positioning our collective organization as a powerhouse in CPG technology. The entire dedicated and passionate T-Pro team is a testament to the organization's growth and commitment to transforming the CPG industry. We are all excited to be part of the Blacksmith family."
Terry Ziegler will join Blacksmith Applications' senior leadership team as General Manager of the T-Pro product division after the transaction.
"I've had an eye on T-Pro for some time. Terry Ziegler and the T-Pro team have built an excellent product – just look at the clients who trust them and have jumped on board to leverage their AI over the past few years," said Paul Wietecha, President and CEO of Blacksmith Applications. "This transaction will allow us to outpace the competition. Together, we will broaden our presence across channels as a single market leader."
The needs that Blacksmith Applications addresses are urgently relevant based on recent research from the POI (Promotion Optimization Institute). 86% of consumer goods companies told POI, via their 2017 POI TPx and Retail Execution Survey, that they are not satisfied with their ability to manage trade promotion*. The results also indicate a concerning trend by which the level of satisfaction has declined five percentage points from the prior year's survey.
As an organization with tiered end-to-end solutions for both retail and foodservice, Blacksmith Applications will be able to dramatically transform the CPG manufacturing industry by opening a window to total trade spend transparency.
Blacksmith Applications will leverage T-Pro's investments in AI to enhance the client experience. The combined Blacksmith Applications will continue to expand strategic investments in advanced analytics and technology solutions that make sense of complex data. Blacksmith Applications, which is backed by Strattam Capital, has a long history of partnering with the world's largest CPG companies and it looks forward to continued success with existing and incorporated customers.
About Blacksmith Applications:
Blacksmith Applications is a SaaS technology company offering TPM software and consulting to CPG retail and foodservice organizations. Our applications, FORGE and GoSimple, enable program creation, claim settlement, and boasts powerful analytical capabilities. Our customer list includes organizations such as General Mills, Unilever Food Solutions, Conagra Brands, The KraftHeinz Company and more. The Blacksmith Applications team is comprised of professionals with decades of CPG experience and we stand apart from ordinary solutions not only in the capabilities of our application but also in our industry knowledge. Find out more at www.blacksmithapplications.com.
About T-Pro Solutions:
T-Pro Solutions provides best-in-class trade promotion optimization solutions to CPG manufacturers in retail markets. Our suite of AI software applications allows customers to more efficiently analyze and manage trade promotion investments. We aim to be the trusted partner in revolutionizing marketing investments by delivering transformational insights to drive business success for our valued customers. Learn more about our manufacturer trade promotion optimization platform: https://t-prosolutions.com/
Media Contact:
Jennifer Schiffman
Blacksmith Applications
978-557-7565
*Source: POI Vendor Panorama, 2017
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SOURCE Blacksmith Applications
