Bechtle adds CAD system house to its solution portfolio / Management group remains intac.
Neckarsulm/Langenau, 31 August 2010 — Bechtle AG acquires the CAD software specialist Solidpro Informationssysteme GmbH. The Germany-based system house was founded in 1997 and has since grown to include nine locations across Germany, including the company headquarters in Langenau, near Ulm. In the fiscal year 2009 the CAD specialist earned approximately 20 million euros in revenue while employing a staff of 98 for a very profitable balance. It offers a wide spectrum of services, ranging from consultation to implementation, system integration and project management — all from one source.
The management group remains unchanged, as does the company name Solidpro until further notice. The parties agreed to keep the purchase price confidential. The acquisition is subject to the approval of the relevant competition authorities.
Bechtle expects to gain valuable synergy effects from this acquisition for its customers in the fields of mechanical engineering, transportation and in the automotive industry: “By bringing a CAD specialist into the fold, we are able to expand our portfolio to include valuable solutions in the niche market. With the addition, we will now be able to offer a more complete range of IT products and support to customers in the mechanical engineering and technical design fields — everything from IT infrastructure to highly specialised CAD software,” explains the Bechtle AG CEO, Dr. Thomas Olemotz.
Solidpro specialises in solutions for Dassault Systèmes SolidWorks Corp. (DS SolidWorks). The Windows-based products for construction, analysis and evaluation of environmental impact, product data management and documentation are designed for businesses of all sizes, offering an easy-to-use interface and cutting edge technology. DS SolidWorks is the market leader in 3D CAD technology solutions with the highest number of users worldwide.
Statement by Werner Meiser, CEO of Solidpro Informationssysteme GmbH:
“The integration into the Bechtle group will provide our company with opportunities that are generally reserved for big international corporations. The expected synergy effects will ensure long-term continuity and flexibility for us and our customers. At the same time, Solidpro and Bechtle will both profit from an enhanced portfolio of products and services. We're very happy with the decision to join the Bechtle group and look forward to a bright future together with solid growth potential.”
Statement by Uwe Burk, Country Manager of Central Europe, SolidWorks Deutschland GmbH:
“With SolidPro now a part of the Bechtle Group, we feel that our leading sales partner have put themselves in excellent position for sustained future growth. This also significantly raises our market potential in Germany. We're looking forward to a successful future together to the benefit of our shared customer base and investors.”