Loy & Co. provided comprehensive support to sooii GmbH in the sale of its “Virtual Humans” business unit to the newly founded verce GmbH.
December 2021
The Transaction
Q10 GmbH and Groz-Beckert KG founded verce GmbH, based in Wuppertal, on December 10, 2021. At the same time, verce signed an agreement to acquire sooii GmbH’s “Virtual Humans” business unit. The founding shareholders have provided verce GmbH with the necessary resources to realize its growth potential as a key change agent in the digitalization process of the fashion industry.
The Companies
verce GmbH
verce GmbH operates in two business areas: the development and marketing of virtual influencers and the development of virtual fitting models.
verce’s Virtual Influencers are positioned as virtual brand ambassadors in exclusive relationships for luxury and lifestyle product segments within the framework of strategic partnerships with renowned manufacturers. Virtual Influencers can also be booked as virtual photo models and create photo shoots for fashion manufacturers and other industries.
Virtual Fitting Models, like Virtual Influencers, are computer-generated, digital people (Virtual Humans) that are created according to the individual measurement and style requirements of customers in the fashion industry. Collection decisions no longer need to be based on a real sample piece on a mannequin, but can be made using a virtual garment on custom-made, photorealistic Virtual Fitting Models. This allows for time savings of up to 50% through digitalization from design to marketing.
Managing Director and founder of verce, Arndt Johannes, said: “Groz-Beckert, with its many years of experience and global presence in the textile industry, is an ideal partner for verce’s future development in a dynamically developing market for virtual humans. We very much look forward to working with them.”
sooii GmbH / Q 10 GmbH
sooii is the leading provider of CGI (Computer Generated Images) for architecture, interiors, and design in the German-speaking market. sooii is part of the Q10 Group, headquartered in Wuppertal.
Since its founding in 2016, sooii has quickly become the number one in this segment through a clear focus on the premium segment, strategic partnerships with leading brand manufacturers, and outstanding quality. In addition to creating high-quality 3D image content, another focus is advising premium manufacturers, suppliers, and agencies on the possibilities offered by CGI and the digital transformation in content production.
Groz-Beckert KG
Groz-Beckert is a leading global supplier of industrial machine needles, precision parts, and precision tools, as well as systems and services for the production and joining of textile fabrics. Its products and services support the textile processes of knitting, warp-knitting, weaving, felting, tufting, carding, and sewing worldwide. Since its founding in 1852, Groz-Beckert has seen itself as a partner to the textile industry, driving innovations in the textile value chain. Hans Jürgen Haug, Spokesman of the Management Board of Groz-Beckert: “With its commitment to Virtual Humans, Groz-Beckert underscores its tradition of innovation.”
Groz-Beckert generates over €700 million in sales with approximately 9,000 employees.
