Today, Itron announced our intent to partner with Accell, a newly-formed company built around Itron’s existing leadership team in Latin America and three additional companies – Ethos Asset Management, Straight Manufacture and Insprotec S.A. DE C.V – as Itron’s regional partner and lead distributor for the region. As part of the agreement, Accell will manufacture devices sold in Latin America and provide service and support for those products. They will also be the lead regional distributor for Itron products designed and built outside of Latin America, giving access to our full suite of solutions, including networked solutions, analytics, smart cities and outcomes offerings. The timing to close the deal is imminent.

Latin America is a very important and strategic region, and I am excited about the opportunity this agreement gives us to maximize the market opportunity there. It’s a win-win with Accell providing the regional focus and Itron providing the product portfolio to help Accell optimize the business model. Both of us will be better positioned to drive customer success in the region and capitalize on opportunities.

Accell’s leadership team is comprised of colleagues that I’ve worked with for years, who are experts in doing business in Latin America. They know how to be successful in this region, with a strong understanding of local laws, languages, cultures and business market opportunities. Under Accell’s leadership, employees can be more agile and flexible in meeting the evolving needs of the business in the region. For Itron, this partnership enables us to better position resources to capitalize on opportunities.

Itron is constantly reviewing and revising our distribution model around the world. Several months ago, when Accell’s leadership team approached us with this business strategy for the region, we both saw this as an opportunity in the market to apply focus and to innovate.

By partnering with Accell as our lead distributor in Latin America, I believe both companies will be better equipped to build upon the foundation Itron has established, deliver more regionally focused products and solutions, and accelerate growth and customer success in the region. I’m excited to see what we can do, together.

If you’d like to learn more, read the press release here.