PA Consulting acquires innovation consultancy 4iNNO
Innovation and transformation consultancy PA Consulting has acquired Cincinnati-based 4iNNO, a firm specializing in new product platforms that drive innovation and growth for global consumer brands.
Changes in consumer buying behaviors are pressuring consumer goods manufacturers and retailers to innovate – whether that means sustainable products, direct-to-consumer initiatives, or bringing products more rapidly to market.
4iNNO provides large consumer brands with strategy, consumer insights, and research and development consulting services. The firm helps clients unlock growth through innovative operating models, new brands and products, and disruptive technology platforms. Founded in 2007, the Cincinnati-based consultancy has supported global firms across pharma, foods, consumer products, and apparel.
PA’s acquisition of the firm will complement its global capabilities in strategy, innovation, and new product development. The London-headquartered consultancy has over 2,800 specialists across the Americas, Europe, and the Middle East, supporting clients across a wide range of industries.
PA is currently supporting innovative projects like Virgin Hyperloop One, Skipping Rock’s sustainable plastic alternatives, and Monica Healthcare’s health monitoring wearable devices.
“The 4iNNO team will add further scale and depth to our existing consumer and innovation expertise, as well as enhancing our Americas presence,” Ken Toombs, head of Americas at PA Consulting, said. “This is an exciting addition to PA and supports us as we use the power of ingenuity to build a positive human future in a technology-driven world.”
Together, PA and 4iNNO will help clients create competitive advantage by going from ideas through to development and commercialization, according to a release from the firm.
Last fall, PA acquired Essential Design, a Boston-based innovation strategy and product design firm. The 4iNNO deal is the consultancy’s fifth global acquisition in the past 18 months, having also bought digital consumer insight and strategy consultancy Sparkler, digital service and engineering agency We Are Friday, and aviation consultancy Nyras.
“We are excited to be joining PA Consulting and look forward to bringing our broad range of skills to help large companies create new growth,” Jim Barrett, 4iNNO’s CEO, said. “PA has the rare focus in consulting to deliver innovative yet tangible solutions with measurable impact, done in a collaborative way with major companies.”
