Complex phrase

[moon7296]

They're utilizing the latest technologies and techniques to get to know their customers better, thus discovering how best to serve them.

Q) Are "they are" omitted in front of "discovering?" If so, I haven't seen the subject and the verb are omitted like that.
If not, how should I understand the structure?

 

[moonlike]

Hi
yes, they're has been omitted. For example in this sentence "They planned to reduce staff and thus to cut costs" they planned has been omitted after thus.
or in this sentence "she's an expert and thus the best person to ask" she's has been removed after thus.

 

[emsr2d2]

Hi
Yes, they're has been omitted. For example, in this sentence "They planned to reduce staff and thus [STRIKE]to[/STRIKE] cut costs" they planned has been omitted after thus.
[STRIKE]or[/STRIKE] In this sentence "She's an expert and thus the best person to ask" she's has been removed after thus.

Yes, it's entirely possible.

I am eating fewer biscuits and thus losing weight.
He is very good with computers and thus an excellent person to go to for advice.
She has fourteen children and therefore no spare time.

 

[moonlike]

Thanks for the correction, but it was exactly the example sentence I found in Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary:
They planned to reduce staff and thus to cut costs.
regards