Open Fifth, the UK-based open source library software provider formerly known as PTFS Europe, announced a majority investment in Swedish library software specialist imCode Partner AB, acquiring a 67.73 percent shareholding together with imCode’s wholly owned Norwegian subsidiary Libriotech AS. Open Fifth said the deal unites two of Europe’s leading open source library software providers and creates a stronger alternative to proprietary vendors, addressing growing demand among Northern European local authorities and academic institutions for open, flexible, highly integrated and cost-effective library software, and that together the two companies become one of Europe’s largest players in Koha-based library technology. The investment completes a planned succession for imCode founders Hillar Loor and Per Ostlund, who built the company from its 1998 founding into Sweden’s largest provider of open source library software; after nearly 30 years they have exited their leadership and ownership roles, with Loor staying on as a consultant to transfer institutional knowledge. imCode will continue operating as a separate entity with its corporate identity, branding, operating structure and staff, and all existing customer contracts, service-level agreements, support and in-country hosting remain intact. Chief executive Tomas Holasek and deputy chief executive Crister Karlen continue to lead imCode, and Open Fifth commercial director Andrew Auld becomes chair of its board.
Open Fifth takes a majority stake in imCode to build a Nordic open source library software group
Open Fifth, the UK-based open source library software provider formerly known as PTFS Europe, announced a majority investment in Swedish library software specialist imCode Partner AB, acquiring a 67.73 percent shareholding together with imCode's wholly owned Norwegian subsidiary Libriotech AS. Open Fifth said the deal unites two of Europe's leading open source library software providers and creates a stronger alternative to proprietary vendors, addressing growing demand among Northern European local authorities and academic institutions for open, flexible, highly integrated and cost-effective library software, and that together the two companies become one of Europe's largest players in Koha-based library technology. The investment completes a planned succession for imCode founders Hillar Loor and Per Ostlund, who built the company from its 1998 founding into Sweden's largest provider of open source library software; after nearly 30 years they have exited their leadership and ownership roles, with Loor staying on as a consultant to transfer institutional knowledge. imCode will continue operating as a separate entity with its corporate identity, branding, operating structure and staff, and all existing customer contracts, service-level agreements, support and in-country hosting remain intact. Chief executive Tomas Holasek and deputy chief executive Crister Karlen continue to lead imCode, and Open Fifth commercial director Andrew Auld becomes chair of its board.
Source: Librarytechnology