The MISSLER SOFTWARE Group is a French publisher of CAD/CAM software
(computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing). It posts sales of almost €30M and employs some 250 people all over the world. The capital operation by iXO Private Equity heralds a new step in the Group's development.
Founded in 1983, the MISSLER SOFTWARE Group is the result of a merger of four publishers: MISSLER SOFTWARE, TOPCAD, CATALPA and CN Industries. The software developed and published by the Group offers a completely integrated design, manufacturing and management solution for SMEs and major industrial groups. The software is mainly intended for manufacturers and subcontractors in the mechanical, sheet metalwork/boiler work and wood sectors that are faced with major design operations in readiness for manufacturing, and the need to check the parts they make very precisely.
To date, more than 50,000 licenses have been installed worldwide. In France, the software is sold through a network of agents that are close to their customers. Export sales, which now represent 35% of turnover, are mostly made through a network of resellers.
After a first LBO between 2005 and 2011; which enabled the management team to acquire a majority stake in the Group, iXO Private Equity is now investing €4M and acquiring a minority stake in the new pool. This operation sees the partial or total withdrawal of long-standing shareholders, who have retired after more than 30 years of loyal service, and the arrival of experienced managers in the capital. They will strengthen the management team headed by Christian Arber, Marc Choquin and Jean-Luc Rolland, by partly replacing the people who have left. This operation also demonstrates the Group's desire to rejuvenate its management team and to speed up its international development. Now that the domestic market is mature, exports represent a source of growth that can offset the very high development costs by addressing a broader customer base.
