Over 60% of investors expect companies to deliver productivity, revenue and profitability gains from generative AI within the next 12 monthsInvestors see the importance of investing in people alongside technology, with 74% expecting companies to increase investment in upskilling. Investors are as likely to expect AI to lead to headcount increases (32%) as decreases (32%)Investors are cautiously optimistic about the economy: 51% expect the economy to grow over the next 12 monthsInvestors continue to eye climate action, with 64% urging companies to moderately or significantly increase their investment to reduce carbon emissions

LONDON, Dec. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ –The pressure is on for companies to turn AI investment into impact, according to PwC’s 2024 Global Investor Survey, released today. 73% of investors say companies should deploy AI solutions at scale, as overwhelmingly 66% expect the companies they invest in to deliver productivity increases from AI over the next 12 months, with 63% expecting revenue increases and 62% expecting it to increase profitability.

The survey, which captures the views of 345 investors and analysts across 24 countries and territories, finds that investors see technological change as the most significant driver of change for the businesses they invest in (71%), ahead of government regulation (64%), changes in customer preference (61%), and supply chain instability (60%).

Notably, investors are also not seeing a trade-off between AI and workers. 74% of respondents urge the businesses they invest in or cover to invest in upskilling their workforce. 32% expect AI to lead to headcount increases of 5% or more – on par with the proportion who expect little to no change in headcount (31%).

Wes Bricker, Global Assurance Leader, PwC US, said:

“Investors expect to see real outcomes from GenAI over the next year and recognize that achieving this will take investment in people and upskilling, as well as technology. Management can expect scrutiny on how they deliver AI productivity gains and support for an approach that extends beyond the tech itself to reinvent the way businesses operate.”

Investors are optimistic about global economic growth

The survey finds that investors are cautiously optimistic about the global economy – half (51%) expect the economy to grow over the next 12 months, with macroeconomic and inflationary concerns falling from their 2022 highs (respectively, from 62% to 34% in 2024, and 67% to 31%). At the same time, investors’ greatest concerns are cyber risks (36%) and geopolitical conflict (36%), both of which are largely unchanged over the last two years but have slightly risen from 2023.

With these risks remaining top of mind for investors, almost nine in ten (86%) agree that the ability of a company to manage through a crisis is an important factor in their investment decision-making. 60% of investors believe it is also very or extremely important that companies re-think their business models in response to supply chain instability – and 68% say they should increase their investment to de-risk them.

Investors eye action on the impact of climate

Investors continue to prioritize action on the impact of climate. 30% expect that the companies they invest in will be highly or extremely exposed to threats from climate change within the next 12 months, up eight points from 2022, although down two points from 2023.

75% of survey respondents agreed that they would moderately or significantly increase their investment in companies that are taking a range of climate-related actions, with the greatest support for taking action to build sustainable supply chains by working with suppliers and communities (80%). When assessing companies’ net-zero transition plans investors say governance (72%) and associated capital or operating expenditures (68%) are very or extremely important. Additionally, 71% say companies should incorporate ESG/sustainability directly into their corporate strategies – a similar level to 2023.

However, challenges remain – 44% of those surveyed agreed that to a large or very large extent, corporate reporting about a company’s sustainability performance contains unsupported claims – marking little change over the past two years. Not surprisingly, 73% are demanding a level of detail in assurance reports on sustainability information that is comparable to that of financial audits.

Nadja Picard, Global Reporting Leader, PwC Germany, said:

“Investors continue to prioritize action on the impact of climate. They are increasingly interested in the governance and financial impact and commitment of companies’ net-zero transition plans. Companies should embed sustainability in their strategies, particularly as investors continue to look at sustainability-related disclosures and communication to assess action.”

Investors look beyond financial statements

Investors value a wide range of data beyond financial information, particularly around corporate governance (40%) and innovation (37%). Most investors also report relying on multiple sources of information, including investor-focused communications (61%) and direct dialogue with the company (57%). Indeed, significantly fewer investors (55%) than in 2023 (66%) report relying on financial statements and note disclosures to a large or very large extent. As investors look to qualitative data, AI may provide significant opportunities in analysing information published by companies – nearly two-thirds (62%) say it has significantly or moderately increased their ability to do so.

Kazi Islam, Global Assurance Strategy & Growth Leader, PwC US, said:

“Reliable information is the lifeblood of capital markets, yet today’s pervasive flow of data can be a blessing and a curse. The expectation on business leaders is to communicate to investors what is material to their business, doubling down on transparency and consistency to ensure they are building trust through communication. As AI provides the capability needed to sift easier through these qualitative and quantitative data, ensuring consistent and effective communication from company leaders is imperative.”

Notes to Editors:

About PwC 2024 Global Investor Survey

In September 2024, PwC surveyed 345 investors and analysts across 24 countries and territories and conducted in-depth interviews with 14 investment professionals. Respondents were predominantly institutional investors, comprising portfolio managers (21%), analysts (21%) and chief investment officers (23%), with 52% having more than ten years of experience in the industry. Their investments covered a range of asset classes, investing approaches and time horizons, and the assets under management (AUM) at their organisations range from <US$500 million to US$1 trillion or more; 53% of respondents are at organisations with total AUM of more than US$10 billion.

About PwC

At PwC, our purpose is to build trust in society and solve important problems. We’re a network of firms in 149 countries with more than 370,000 people who are committed to delivering quality in assurance, advisory and tax services. Find out more and tell us what matters to you by visiting us at www.pwc.com.

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This strategic partnership introduces an AI-based condition monitoring solution that promises to transform wind farm operations worldwide.

EDMONTON, AB, Dec. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — To redefine wind turbine maintenance, NKE FERSA, the Austrian-based premium bearing manufacturer, and Nanoprecise, the Canadian predictive maintenance specialist, are launching their new and innovative Condition Monitoring System for wind turbines.

“Our partnership with Nanoprecise represents a fusion of NKE FERSA’s deep understanding of wind applications and Nanoprecise’s innovative maintenance solution,” stated FERSA’s CEO, Rafael Paniagua. “This collaboration allows us to offer wind farm operators a comprehensive solution that not only detects potential issues before they impact energy production but also significantly extends the lifespan of the equipment,” added Paniagua.

An unprecedented technological breakthrough

The NKE Condition Monitoring System, equipped with Nanoprecise’s cutting-edge technology, combines a groundbreaking 6-in-1 wireless sensor with an advanced AI-driven cloud-based platform. This revolutionary system continuously monitors critical functioning parameters in wind turbines, such as vibration, temperature, humidity, acoustic emission, speed, and magnetic flux, providing broad and precise insights into the application’s performance.

AI-based predictive maintenance

At the heart of the system lies Nanoprecise’s patented energy-centric condition monitoring solution, which is composed of a gen-AI powered platform and an edge AI-equipped 6-in-1 sensor. Combined with NKE FERSA’s expertise, the solution delivers predictive maintenance information tailored to the needs of wind farm operators.

“Bearing faults are responsible for the majority of wind turbine’s planetary gearbox downtime. With our patented wavelet neural network enabled algorithms, we are able to diagnose faults on individual components in a gearbox,” stated Sunil Vedula, Founder and CEO of Nanoprecise.

“This means we aren’t just monitoring the health of the turbines, but providing actionable insights that can dramatically reduce downtime, increasing the availability of wind turbines, and making green energy more affordable,” he added. 

Transforming wind farm operations

The NKE Condition Monitoring System promises to deliver rapid ROI for wind farm operators through:

Comprehensive monitoring of wind turbine drivetrain applicationsAdvanced predictive maintenance capabilitiesQuick and easy installation processImproved turbine performance and reduced downtimeExtended equipment lifespan

Global impact and availability

Initially focusing on North American and European markets, NKE FERSA and Nanoprecise have plans for global expansion. The system will soon be available for wind farm operators worldwide, backed by comprehensive technical support that combines application knowledge, tribology, and vibration analysis expertise.

“This launch represents a significant step forward in wind turbine maintenance and efficiency,” added Hugo Santos, Chief Business Development Officer of FERSA. “We’re not just offering a product; we’re providing a solution that will contribute substantially to the growth and optimization of the renewal energy sector.”

About Nanoprecise

Nanoprecise Sci Corp is a global leader in predictive maintenance solutions, empowering industries to achieve operational excellence, reduce unplanned downtime, and meet sustainability goals through advanced technology. Established in 2017, Nanoprecise specializes in integrating cutting-edge Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) technology to provide energy-centered maintenance (ECM) solutions for a wide array of industrial machinery.
https://nanoprecise.io/ 

About NKE FERSA

NKE FERSA, headquartered in Steyr, Austria, is a leading manufacturer of high-quality bearings. With a legacy dating back to 1996, the company has established itself as a pioneer in precision engineering. As part of the Fersa corporate group since 2016, NKE FERSA leverages a global presence across 19 countries and a workforce of over 850 employees to deliver cutting-edge solutions for automotive, industrial, and energy applications worldwide.

About Fersa

Fersa is a Spanish multinational based in Zaragoza, Spain, specializing in the design, manufacture and distribution of mobility solutions, high performance bearings and electromechanical components for the OEM & T1 and Aftermarket sectors of automotive, industrial and energy applications. With its brands FERSA, NKE FERSA and PFI FERSA, the company is present on five continents, with a global workforce of more than 850 employees and a global structure that includes 6 state-of-the-art production centers, 19 distribution centers and 4 international R&D centers, to support and service customers in more than 100 countries.

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MÖGLINGEN, Germany and LONDON, Dec. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Thoma Bravo, a leading software investment firm, today announced the completion of its acquisition of a majority stake in USU Product Business (“USU Product”), a leading provider of IT management solutions.

Thoma Bravo has invested as new majority shareholder in USU Product with plans to further invest in the company to accelerate the business’s growth and product innovation. As a result of this transaction, USU Product, including its leading IT Service Management, IT Asset Management, IT Operations Management, and Knowledge Management businesses, will operate as an independent entity with over 600 employees supporting the development, implementation, support, and maintenance of its leading product portfolio.

The existing management team will continue to lead USU Product with Benjamin Strehl serving as CEO. Additionally, Bernhard Oberschmidt, joins the board of directors in the new holding structure of USU Product, further strengthening the leadership team and providing continuity for existing customers.

“With the closing of the transaction, we are now shifting our entire focus to the expansion of our USU platform and offerings to create more value for our customers while accelerating our growth. We look forward to working closely with the Thoma Bravo team on this journey,” said Benjamin Strehl, CEO of USU Product.

“We are excited to announce the closing of our second transaction in the DACH region this year,” said Irina Hemmers, a Partner at Thoma Bravo. “We see ample opportunity to continue to invest in this regional tech ecosystem and are looking to further grow our portfolio. The closing is an important milestone of our relationship with USU Product, and we are thrilled to work with the company as it further scales and innovates.”

Debt financing for the transaction will be provided by funds advised by Morgan Stanley Private Credit, clients of Guggenheim Investments, and HSBC Innovation Banking UK.

About Thoma Bravo

Thoma Bravo is one of the largest software-focused investors in the world, with over US$166 billion in assets under management as of September 30, 2024. Through its private equity, growth equity and credit strategies, the firm invests in growth-oriented, innovative companies operating in the software and technology sectors. Leveraging Thoma Bravo’s deep sector knowledge and strategic and operational expertise, the firm collaborates with its portfolio companies to implement operating best practices and drive growth initiatives. Over the past 20+ years, the firm has acquired or invested in more than 500 companies representing approximately US$265 billion in enterprise value (including control and non-control investments). The firm has offices in Chicago, Dallas, London, Miami, New York and San Francisco. For more information, visit Thoma Bravo’s website at thomabravo.com.

About USU Software AG

As a leading provider of software and service solutions for IT and customer-service management, USU enables companies to manage the requirements of today’s digital world. Global organizations use our solutions to cut costs, become more agile, and reduce risks – with smarter services, simpler workflows, and better collaboration. With more than 45 years of experience and locations worldwide, the USU team brings customers into the future. The USU Digital Consulting business will remain a wholly owned subsidiary of USU Software AG. For more information, visit https://www.usu.com/en-us/

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SOURCE Thoma Bravo