1. What is this announcement about?

Smartbox has announced the signing of an agreement to acquire Talk To Me Technologies (TTMT), one of the most trusted suppliers of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) in the US.

The acquisition is expected to be completed later this year, subject to closing conditions. The two companies will be joining forces, combining the expertise of more than 400 assistive technology specialists around the world.

2. Who is Talk To Me Technologies (TTMT)?

Talk To Me Technologies was founded in 2006, as a small, family-run business of three by Matt Dunning, Marty Gallagher, and Kate Dunning. Since the founding, their shared desire has been to provide customised AAC solutions through a friendlier, more client-centered approach.

TTMT’s mission is to get clients communicating as quickly as possible with a communication device that best suits their needs. Headquartered in Cedar Falls, Iowa, TTMT has 148 mission-focused team members supporting clients across the US. TTMT’s product line offers twelve AAC solutions.

TTMT’s product line includes the wego A, zuvo, and eyespeak families of communication systems. TTMT is also the creator of the Zoom, OnWord, QuickStep, and Universal Core vocabulary page sets as well as the Spark Symbol Set library.

3. When will TTMT be joining the Smartbox family?

The process is currently underway, and the sale will happen in two parts. The first part has already taken place as we have signed an agreement for TTMT to be acquired by Smartbox.

The second part – the completion – is planned to happen later this year when TTMT will become part of the Smartbox Group.

4. What will the new future look like?

TTMT will join the Smartbox family and continue to focus on providing people in the US with AAC solutions. Smartbox already has a team operating in the US (Smartbox, Inc) based out of their offices in Pennsylvania. Both companies are doing well, and we support the conditions for this to continue.

TTMT is providing most of their devices through Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance sales. Smartbox, Inc also provides funding services in addition to partnering with a network of resellers in the US.

Our intention is to maintain this structure, whilst working together as one team to help expand offerings across the US and support more people to access the AAC technology they need.

5. Will the companies retain their existing brands?

Both Smartbox and TTMT have strong brands that are well recognised and well respected. In both cases they represent quality products provided alongside quality service – delivered by AAC experts that care about the outcomes for the client.

We want to celebrate and expand on this, by honoring the TTMT brand, and endorsing it with a light touch by explaining that TTMT is part of the ‘Smartbox family’.

6. How will this impact the products available to clients?

Both Smartbox and TTMT have a great range of products and have everything in place to offer them to the market. So initially we will continue with the status quo. Our teams will be working together to create the best possible product range for the future and focusing on what we will be creating together.

7. Will this have any impact on the quality of the service and support being offered?

Both organisations are known for their exceptional levels of service, and this will always be a top priority. By working together, access to knowledge and advanced technical support is going to improve, as TTMT works more closely with the Smartbox team to improve our products.

8. Will this have any impact on the cost of products or services?

There are no planned changes to the cost of products or services from Smartbox in the USA or from TTMT related to this.

9. Will who I contact from Smartbox change for sales, support, or repairs?

Our clients will continue working with representatives from Smartbox, and the two teams will be focusing on different areas, to best serve the US community. Please continue to speak to the same people as you would usually at either Smartbox or TTMT.

Teams will continue to be led by the existing leadership, under a unified US Executive Team.

10. How will this support the future development of products and the service delivered?

Our teams will be getting to know one another and benefiting from each other’s expertise by connecting regularly. This means we will be working more collaboratively in the future to help improve research and innovation, to co-develop the next generation of products to deliver the best AAC solutions in the world.

Our shared commitment to exceptional customer service has brought us together and this commitment will not change. Our teams work closely to continue to deliver a trusted and reliable service to clients.

11. Will Smartbox devices be offered by TTMT’s Sales Consultants or funded through TTMT?

Not immediately. TTMT will continue to offer its wego A, zuvo, and eyespeak families of speech devices. Grid Pad, Talk Pad and Touch Pad will continue to be offered through Smartbox, Inc. and US partners. Smartbox and TTMT have a shared history of continued innovation.

Moving forward, our teams will work together to develop and bring to market the next generation of communication devices.

12. Does this mean TTMT will exclusively supply Grid?

No, TTMT will continue to provide their existing selection of apps and software, and we will always put our clients’ needs first to help them succeed with AAC. TTMT will be collaborating closely with the development team behind Grid, to co-develop the best possible solution for customers in the future.

13. Will TTMT devices be available to purchase outside the US?

There are no current plans to provide TTMT devices outside of the US market.

14. Who are the other companies in the Smartbox family?

Rehavista is the leading supplier of AAC in Germany with more than 170 people on their team. They joined the Smartbox family in 2021. Rehavista’s subsidiary LogBUK, is also part of the group and provides speech therapy services across the whole of Germany.