IFS acquires 7bridges to boost AI-powered supply chain tools

IFS has acquired 7bridges, a London-based provider of artificial intelligence-powered supply chain management solutions, expanding its capabilities in logistics and transportation optimisation.

The move marks IFS's third acquisition in the last year, underscoring its continued strategy to bolster its position in Industrial AI, particularly for sectors such as manufacturing, aerospace, and defence.

Supply chain optimisation

7bridges supports businesses by using advanced AI simulation and analytics to automate and optimise logistics networks. The platform operates with a rapid, low-cost approach to data capture and management, aided by a semantic data layer and AI-driven tools to tackle intricate supply chain challenges.

The acquisition allows IFS to scale the 7bridges solution into its core markets focused on asset and service-centric industries. The demand for such technology has increased notably in manufacturing and in the aerospace and defence sectors as companies face rising costs, global disruptions, and environmental sustainability pressures.

In addition to incorporating 7bridges' team and tools, IFS plans to use this capability to accelerate development of its AI-powered supply chain solutions within IFS Cloud. The acquisition is also set to enhance IFS's simulation and optimisation capacities across multiple industrial sectors.

This deal follows IFS's previous acquisitions of TheLoops, an agentic AI solution provider, and the introduction of Nexus Black, the firm's dedicated AI innovation accelerator. IFS continues to focus on the delivery of data-driven solutions targeting industry requirements for resilience, efficiency, and sustainability.

Mark Moffat, Chief Executive Officer at IFS, said: "We're proud to lead the market in Industrial AI and continue to invest in technologies that differentiate our offering. 7bridges' unique capabilities in AI-powered supply chain optimisation are a strong complement to our existing strengths and will strongly resonate with our asset intensive customers. We're excited to welcome their talented team of experts to IFS."

According to IFS, companies currently using 7bridges' platform can gather and interpret essential logistics data from various sources, continuously optimising supply chains in response to both planned and unexpected changes. These capabilities have enabled customers to achieve average transport cost reductions of 8% while automating 90% of data entry and data management tasks related to logistics operations.

Responding to market pressures

The global supply chain sector is facing a turbulent period due to escalating costs, frequent disruptions, and the push to decarbonise logistics processes. In this broader context, 7bridges has shown traction by offering logistics optimisation solutions and a simulation engine that enhances both tactical and operational decisions for businesses in diverse industries.

Expanding on the significance of the acquisition, 7bridges Chief Executive Officer Philip Ashton stated: "Joining IFS allows us to accelerate our mission of transforming global supply chains through AI. With IFS's reach and resources, we'll bring our solution to new industries and geographies, delivering measurable impact for customers worldwide."

IFS's enhanced portfolio now combines 7bridges' AI algorithms with its own suite of enterprise tools, including offerings for Enterprise Resource Planning, Enterprise Asset Management, Supply Chain Management, and Field Service Management. IFS Cloud, the company's composable AI-powered platform, underpins these services to deliver flexibility and adaptability for evolving client requirements.

IFS was established in 1983 and has since grown to serve over 7,000 employees in 80 countries. Its continued expansion reflects ongoing demand for advanced AI and machine learning technologies in managing modern supply chains and supporting real-time strategic decision-making across various industries.