CIMdata PLM Industry Summary Online Archive
25 July 2013
Acquisitions
Dassault Systèmes Acquires SFE, a Technology Leader in Design Optimization and Automation
Dassault Systèmes today announced the acquisition of SFE GmbH, a leader in body conceptual engineering and performance evaluation and optimization. The addition of SFE’s technology to the 3DEXPERIENCE platform enhances Dassault Systèmes’ transportation & mobility industry solution experiences, such as “Target Zero Defect”. This acquisition expands its CATIA and SIMULIA applications, bringing to the market an innovative technology for seamless transitions, from early conceptual engineering and performance optimization to detailed body design. The amount of the transaction was not disclosed.
“The combined SFE and Dassault Systèmes 3DEXPERIENCE platform capabilities will lead to complete coverage of the entire value chain for the transportation & mobility industry. From quick modeling to post processing analysis, to product performance simulation and shape optimization, the full design process is integrated. I see numerous places where this capability can bring value to other industries, not just transportation & mobility,” said Bernard Charlès, President & CEO, Dassault Systèmes. “It reinforces Dassault Systèmes’ already strong position in the Body-in-White domain, as well as the automotive market, in general. It will bring immediate benefits to SFE’s long list of customers, including General Motors, Porsche, Fiat, Chrysler, Daimler, FORD, BMW, Volkswagen and others.”
“Today’s acquisition of SFE, one of BMW’s partners, by Dassault Systèmes, another major BMW partner, is good news. I can see the value it will bring,” said Detlef Helm, BMW Group. “The SFE CONCEPT solution has been used for many years at BMW within the full vehicle development field for functional assessment, validation and the generation of models for pre-concept development.”
Today’s announcement of an integrated conceptual engineering solution is unique in the industry. The concept phase is very critical and difficult as it requires the combination of multiple disciplines and skills. Customers are facing challenges to shorten their innovation cycle time and their product development lead time. Conceptual engineering, such as 3DEXPERIENCE and SFE bring, addresses these critical challenges.
“This is an exciting development for SFE and its customers and partners. We have worked closely with Dassault Systèmes over the past few years and we have seen firsthand its passion for its customers, as well as its vision for harmonizing products and how they are experienced in the real world,” said Hans Zimmer, CEO and founder, SFE GmbH. “SFE’s customers will receive significant value through Dassault Systèmes’ global support organization and well-recognized commitment to research and development.”
The transaction includes the purchase of SFE GmbH, its various products, SFE CONCEPT, as well as its acoustic and NVH simulation offerings, SFE AKUSMOD, SFE AKUSRAIL, and SFE MECOSA. The acquisition was completed early July, 2013.
For more information about SFE GmbH: http://www.sfe-group.org
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