Neckarsulm/Walluf, 2 August 2012 – SolidLine AG, a member of the Bechtle Group, acquires the sales division for the SolidWorks CAD software from SPI Systemberatung GmbH in Ahrensburg. The so-called asset deal involves the addition of 19 employees at three locations, Ahrensburg near Hamburg, Münster, and Greifswald, as well as the transfer of all current customer contracts. Following the earlier acquisitions of Solidpro GmbH and SolidLine AG in August 2010 and April 2011 respectively, this step further solidifies Bechtle's position in the CAD market. The qualifications of the newly acquired employees matches the job description perfectly of SolidLine and Solidpro.
Jeanette Rouvel, managing director of SPI Systemberatung GmbH: “The sale allows SPI to better focus on our service offering in our two divisions SheetMetal Solutions and Business Solutions. For over 30 years we've provided expert consultation and custom software development for the metalworking industry, as well as the banking and financial sector, and we are continuing to grow in both markets.”
Founded in 1980, SPI has been a certified Partner to SolidWorks since 1997, and continues to be a development partner for SolidWorks with its SheetMetal Solutions division.
Theodor F. Huber, CEO of SolidLine AG: “We are very pleased to welcome aboard some excellently trained and experienced employees. Not only do they boost our presence in strategically attractive locations, they also make us more competitive. We are already the market leader for SolidWorks products in the German-speaking markets. And now we've distanced ourselves even further from the competition.”
Customers benefit from synergy effects.
At Bechtle, CAD know-how belongs to the Software & Application Solutions division. The advantage of this is that Bechtle can combine its expertise and experience in the software and licensing business with its corporate sales network. Norbert Franchi, head of the Software division, emphasised, “Both existing and future customers benefit from synergies of the Bechtle group. They can expect to receive even more comprehensive consultation in the complex field of CAD software and substantial synergy effects with respect to overall IT solutions.” Bechtle and SPI also want to work together in the future. “In the SheetMetal Solutions division, we will continue to work very closely with SPI, offering our customers in the sheet metal industry specialised CAD solutions,” explained Norbert Franchi.
The signed contract is valid starting 1 August 2012. Both partners have agreed to keep the purchase price confidential.