CIMdata PLM Industry Summary Online Archive
7 May 2012
Company News
A Strategic Union Between the Software Developers Alma and Missler Software
Alma and Missler Software, two French CAD/CAM software developers on their respective markets, are combining their activities through a minority investment by Alma in the capital of FMS, Missler Software’s holding company. This operation should in time lead to the merger of the two companies, their products and their distribution networks.
This union should enable the AlmaMissler*Group to offer a wider and integrated CAD/CAM/ERP product line, to reach the critical size needed to accelerate international growth as well as releasing resources to finance Research & Development.
Several actions are already planned and will be launched before summer 2012 to achieve the future union between the two companies. They concern French and international sales as well as future product development strategies.
*the new signature Alma and Missler will use for joint actions and projects.
The objectives of the union:
Offer a wider and integrated product line
The complementary nature of the Alma and TopSolid product lines will enable the AlmaMissler Group offer a completely integrated CAD/CAM/ERP solution for the mechanical engineering, tool making, machining, sheetmetal, mechanical welding, wood and robotics sectors.
Be an international leader
In an economic context marked by the consolidation of software developers, only companies of a certain critical size can hope to successfully develop and innovate on international markets where today’s industrial growth can be found. The union of the two companies results in a group of 300 people – 600 when including affiliated entities and major resellers. This group now becomes a leader in France and is already present in more than 20 countries around the world through its branches and resellers.
Pool ressources
Significant savings (pooling of components, developments, distribution costs, etc.) resulting from the union will permit the Group to increase resources for Research & Development, innovation and development of new markets.
An industrial project
The union of two French software developers
The union of Alma and Missler Software should enable the consolidation into a single software company capable of competing with major international CAD/CAM leaders in terms of international presence and product line offered. Alma and Missler Software already have a strong international presence (approximately 60% of their respective licenses are sold outside of France) – their union will enable them to consolidate this presence (synergy of offers and resources) and to target new markets. The new entity will continue to keep its “French touch” with a “Made in France” strategy for its manufacturing software solutions.
Build an independent group
The union between the two companies is not a financial project; this project also aims to develop and extend the life of a strong product line, reinforce investments and ensure the well-being and high motivation of its employees. This union has an economic, human and cooperative dimension that will guarantee the independence of the AlmaMissler Group and the will to continue developing software in France.
A win-win union
Thanks to the minimum overlap between the 2 product lines and a somewhat positive economic context following the recent global financial crisis, there were will no job losses.
The next steps
Alma and Missler Software foresee an initial period of 18 to 24 months during which both companies will materialize the union and will work closely together. The principal axes to focus on are:
Product development
- Application gateways between TopSolid (CAD) and Alma (CAM) as a first step.
- Development plan for the future CAM Sheet Metal product.
- Analysis of possible synergies in robotics
- Analysis of the development plan for the wood CAD/CAM solution
- Identification and pooling of components (Sheet metal unfolding, nesting, robotic algorithms, CAD modeler, etc.).
French Sales
- Both companies will sell each other’s product lines (robotics, CAD, ERP, etc.)
- For Sheet metal the progressive convergence towards a CAM solution developed together by both companies
- Sale of TopSolid’Design by Alma for all CAD needs
- Joint participation on trade fairs and other sales events.
Export Sales
- Introduction of the Alma product line to Missler Software resellers and vice versa with the objective to create a maximum of local distribution agreements in particular in Brazil, Italy, Germany, Japan and Korea.
- Joint reflection on how to address new markets.
Cultural union
- Presence of a member of each company at respective Board Management Committees
- Match profiles of each company (developers, sales, marketing, etc.).
- Sharing of premises (China, Grenoble, etc.).
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