CPE Romania recently announced a transformative milestone: the acquisition of all Italian shares from Custom Group, transforming the company into a 100% Romanian-owned entity.
This significant change positions CPE as the first and only Romanian company with a dedicated focus on retail technology, offering a comprehensive range of innovative, state-of-the-art solutions, “Made in Romania,” ready to expand rapidly both nationally and internationally.
As part of the Custom Group until 2024, CPE has been a pioneer in Romania’s point-of-sale industry, providing complete hardware, software, and service solutions for printers and point-of-sale devices. Formerly operating as a production unit for Custom Spa Italy, CPE’s products are manufactured in Glimboca and exported to over 76 countries, with products ranging from Washington to Tokyo and from Russia to Australia. Custom Group is a European leader in retail and automation, boasting over three decades of experience, 32 proprietary patents, and integrated hardware, software, and service solutions across various sectors, including aviation, retail, industrial automation, and gaming.
Founded in 2006, CPE has experienced steady growth, becoming a key player in the retail technology and automation market. Over the years, the company has developed integrated solutions for multiple industries, including retail, aviation, and logistics. Through this acquisition, CPE reaffirms its commitment to both local and international innovation and consolidates its position as a technology leader.
“The success of CPE Romania is rooted in its unique journey, beginning in 2006 with only five employees in a modest 150-square-meter facility. The company quickly grew, fueled by ambition and shared expertise, reaching 25 employees by the end of its inaugural year. Today, CPE Romania boasts modern infrastructure, a team of 60 employees, and plans to grow to 140 employees, showcasing the company’s growth trajectory in Romania’s dynamic economic landscape. This transition also marks the culmination of over 20 years of technological leadership, as CPE, previously a major European branch of the Italian Custom Group, now charts its path toward independence. We are incredibly excited to announce this new chapter in CPE’s history. The full acquisition of the Italian shares allows us to strengthen our leadership status and accelerate our global expansion plans. This shift is a moment of pride for all of us and for Romania. Our innovations are built on a foundation of international experience and strong local expertise. We aim to revolutionize the retail industry by providing efficient and accessible technology solutions for all types of companies,” Marius Ursulescu, CEO and founder of CPE, mentioned.
A Modern Production Hub for Global Growth
With newly expanded production capabilities covering 20,000 square meters and a deep commitment to sustainability, CPE operates four state-of-the-art production lines that integrate advanced IoT and SAP technology to optimize supply chain management, integrated product improvement and development (IPD), and ensure superior quality control. The facilities, supported by over 70% Romanian suppliers, produce over 200,000 units annually, and a new production and development line focuses on building a robust infrastructure. Alongside a network of 200 Romanian dealers, CPE is positioned for rapid growth both domestically and internationally.
“This is a moment of pride for both Romania and our team. Full ownership empowers us to drive innovation and pursue ambitious growth on a global scale as quickly as possible. By leveraging our local expertise and international experience, we can continue to offer unparalleled solutions that meet the evolving needs of retail and automation industries worldwide. Not only do we help retailers, but we also support a movement to disseminate technological culture, benefiting businesses of all types. From small shops to major franchises, we provide technologies that will revolutionize the retail experience. And we’re doing it with innovations Made in Romania,” Marius Ursulescu, Founder and CEO of CPE, emphasized.
Launch of UNO – The First Fully Romanian-Made Fiscal POS Terminal
Aligned with its ambitious plans, CPE announces the launch of UNO, the first fiscal POS terminal entirely manufactured in Romania. UNO represents the next generation of retail technology and is designed to redefine the self-service retail landscape.
With a modern design, easy installation, and weather-resistant materials, the new UNO payment terminal is the ideal solution for various industries, including vending, car washes, parking facilities, and more. Equipped with advanced technologies that optimize energy consumption, UNO meets the growing demand for cashless payments and digital transactions. UNO demonstrates CPE’s commitment to “Made in Romania” innovation and positions the company at the forefront of the global autonomous retail sector.
“UNO, the first fully Romanian-made fiscal POS terminal, represents the most comprehensive range of retail solutions, unmatched in speed and innovation – ‘Made in Romania.’ It is the most efficient and rapid solution we offer to all types of retailers: from small shops to restaurants, supermarkets, grocery stores, and franchisees, delivering technology that’s already running in Romania and across Europe. With sleek design, easy installation, and weather-resistant materials, UNO sets a new standard for autonomous retail solutions. Equipped with proximity and light sensors to optimize energy consumption, it is designed to handle the increasing demand for cashless payments, digital wallets, and contactless transactions. As the global autonomous retail sector grows at an annual rate of 25% between 2024 and 2030, UNO places CPE at the forefront of this transformative trend,” Marius Ursulescu declared.
Supporting the Romanian Retail Ecosystem
CPE is deeply committed to advancing Romania’s retail market with a comprehensive suite of innovative retail technology solutions. With over two decades of experience in retail automation, the company offers a wide range of cost-effective, high-performance solutions that cater to the unique needs of various industries. From self-service kiosks and IoT-compatible devices to integrated payment terminals, CPE continues to deliver innovative technologies that enhance efficiency and improve the customer experience.
Romania’s Economic Growth Fuels Expansion
CPE’s strategy aligns with Romania’s increasingly robust economic growth. With GDP growth projected to reach up to 2% in 2024, Romania’s industrial sector has become a major driver of innovation in Europe, supported by government initiatives to boost high-tech industries. This favorable market environment, along with CPE’s technological leadership, sets the stage for even greater success as the company capitalizes on the growing global demand for retail automation.
Local Expertise, Global Reach
As a reference point in the production and distribution of innovative technology solutions for Romania and beyond, now covering all of Europe, CPE’s new structure strengthens its global supply chain, enabling the company to better meet the growing demands of the market. With annual production capacity estimated to reach 300,000 units in the coming years, CPE is poised to address the needs of various industries (including retail, logistics, healthcare, aviation, and transportation) while maintaining strong local roots in Romania.
As Romania continues to establish itself as an innovation hub in Eastern Europe, CPE is strategically positioned to drive growth in the retail automation sector, both locally and internationally. Combining its pioneering technologies with an extensive dealer network and deep industry insights, CPE is ready to meet the challenges and opportunities of the future.
CPE remains committed to providing the most advanced automation solutions for retail, contributing to the growth of Romania’s and the world’s technology ecosystem. Dedicated to innovation and the future of retail, CPE intends to launch an all-in-one fiscal solution integrated with a fiscal printer, positioning it as a key differentiator in the market, along with other innovative products designed for both local and global markets.
