Industry analysts are keen to point out the need for consolidation in the German and international digital signage industry. At the same time, it is predicted that times will get tougher for SMEs. As a traditional medium-sized company, we cannot confirm this trend for the past financial year. We have continued to develop over the past twelve months, albeit in a difficult market environment. On the one hand, we attribute this to the many years of trusting cooperation with our customers. At the same time, we are focusing intensively on certain niche segments with growth potential, and this is beginning to pay off.
After two previous years of high investment in our remote device management (RDM) system KIOSK IQ and further development of our TVLUTION software, we have increasingly focussed on our international business in the past year. Our spanish subsidiary was founded last year. In the past twelve months, we have implemented several successful spanish projects in the retail, hotel and catering sectors. However, we are also represented in the up-and-coming countries of the gulf and added another flagship hotel to our client list with a five-star hotel for Qatar Airways in Doha. In Germany, we have also completed modern signage projects for leading regional hotels. It is no coincidence that this sector suits us. The individualised needs of the hotel and catering sector are a good match for our flexible way of working and our easy-to-use software.
We are also making good progress in the increasingly important area of monitoring. Our proprietary KIOSK IQ is ideal for complex and challenging installations, as we proved once again in 2024. After almost two years of planning, we installed pylons at more than 60 petrol stations across the island for our Icelandic customer. We are particularly pleased that we were able to install our user-friendly CMS TVLUTION. Further installations are now being realised.
Finally, a lot has happened in the third of our segments, sound. ROYALTY-free music services, such as those we offer, are becoming increasingly popular with retailers. This is partly because of the savings on royalties, but also because we are seeing a greater understanding of visual and sound effects. These two approaches complement each other and ensure that there is a visible and audible difference at the point of decision.
In the evolution of displays, we are seeing an increased demand for LED solutions in the market. The growing importance of digital signage is accompanied by a greater willingness to invest in large-scale installations. Flagship store concepts in the automotive sector are making the most progress for us, although there are delays in implementation due to delays in obtaining the necessary approvals.
What happens now? After a satisfactory but turbulent year, we believe that the next twelve months will show a slightly more positive trend. We have completed most of our technology investments, the market environment is more stable and our order book is much better filled than at the same time last year. Our focus is now increasingly on our own organisation, which we will continue to expand and strengthen in order to consolidate our position in the german and international markets.
We wish all Invidis readers a healthy and successful 2025!
