Neckarsulm / Walluf, 14 April 2011 – Bechtle AG acquires SolidLine AG, the leading system house partner of the CAD software manufacturer Solid Works. In addition to its company headquarters in Walluf near Wiesbaden, SolidLine AG has established 13 sites throughout Germany since its founding in 1996. The CAD specialist also holds all shares to the Swiss Solid Solutions AG that has sites in Zurich, Arbon and Schönbühl, and possesses HCV Data Management GmbH, Walluf, that specialises in product data management (PDM) and product lifecycle management (PLM). The SolidLine group portfolio also includes solutions for SAP integration, analysis and simulation, and focuses on mechanical and plant engineering, as well as tool and die construction, industrial design and medical equipment. The parties agreed to keep the purchase price confidential. The acquisition is still subject to the approval of the relevant competition authorities.
In the fiscal year 2010 the CAD specialist earned approximately 32 million euros in revenue while employing a staff of nearly 160 for a very profitable balance. The acting CEO of SolidLine and HCV, Theodor F. Huber, will retain his position at the head of the company. Hanspeter Lampert will also remain as the managing director of the Swiss Solid Solutions.
Since having acquired SolidPro GmbH last August, Bechtle has once again strengthened its position in the CAD market by a significant margin. Bechtle provides valuable experience and expertise in software and licensing and can offer its new partner excellent synergy effects within the Bechtle group. “Not only are we significantly improving our market position for CAD products with our acquisition of SolidLine, we're solidifying our reputation as an end-to-end IT supplier. Our portfolio of IT products and services includes not only CAD products, but also ERP solutions, which makes it especially attractive to customers who are active in the design and construction industries. This combination gives us an obvious competitive edge,” remarks Michael Guschlbauer, COO IT system house & managed services Bechtle AG.
SolidLine's core business is centred around solutions by Dassault Systèmes SolidWorks Corp. The Windows-based products for design, analysis and evaluation of environmental impact, as well as product data management and documentation are utilised by companies of all sizes. DS SolidWorks is the market leader in 3D CAD technology with the most users world wide.
Theodor F. Huber, CEO, SolidLine AG:
“In Bechtle we have found and partnered with a strong international corporation with excellent prospects. Above all, the new cooperation with Bechtle gives our customers and employees long-term security and continuity. We at SolidLine are looking forward to a bright future together.”
Uwe Burk, Country Manager, Central Europe, SolidWorks Deutschland GmbH:
“We're very pleased that our leading system house partner in Germany now also belongs to the Bechtle group. This will provide us with unique synergy effects that will significantly increase our growth potential in Germany and Switzerland. Bechtle already exceeded our growth expectations last year. We have come to appreciate Bechtle's strength and reliability and expect to profit from the new partnership with even more sustainable growth.”