Expansion in industrial software!

Siemens expands its industrial software portfolio with the acquisition of Vistagy,  a leading supplier of specialized engineering software and services with emphasis on designing and manufacturing structures made of advanced composite materials. An agreement to this effect was signed in early November. This acquisition allows Industry Automation, a Division of the Siemens Industry Sector, to continue to enhance its position as the world's leading supplier of industrial software. The parties agreed not to disclose the terms of the acquisition. The transaction is subject to customary approvals, and is expected to close before the end of 2011. 

Companies that use composite materials like carbon fiber components in their products are faced with the task of further reducing costs and time-to-market in order to sharpen the competitive edge composites offer. With their unique combination of low weight, high strength, and durability, composite structures are already used extensively in the aerospace industry and for rotor blades of wind power turbines. Composite materials will continue to experience more widespread use – primarily in the automotive and marine industries – as the complexity and time required for developing and producing composite structures is reduced.

This is precisely the aim Siemens is pursuing by adding industry-specific engineering software to its industrial software portfolio for Product Lifecycle Management (PLM). Already today, the company is among the technology leaders for the automation of production lines for carbon fiber components. With the acquisition of Vistagy, they will become the only company worldwide to support the whole value creation for carbon fiber components with its software tools – from product definition and development to manufacturing and service.

"Advanced software solutions tailored to specific industry requirements are vital for companies to achieve the next level of performance in their products. This type of industry focus will be the differentiating factor for success in the industry software market", said Anton S. Huber, CEO of the Siemens Industry Automation Division. "The planned integration of our PLM Software business with Vistagy's universally acknowledged expertise in industry-specific software, such as composites, will make us the partner of choice in this market today and well into the future."

Vistagy, Inc., is based in Waltham, Massachusetts, USA. Around 300 customers worldwide are applying Vistagy's software products for a variety of applications ranging from composites engineering and design and manufacture of complex assemblies and large aerostructures to design and manufacture of transportation seat systems and interior components. Siemens is planning to integrate the software supplier and its products, services and support into its PLM Software Business Unit, a part of the Siemens Industry Automation Division. Siemens PLM Software is a leading global supplier of software and services with the capability to optimize the entire lifecycle of products and radically reduce their time-to-market. The company's well-established open business model that serves the needs of all customers regardless of their mix of IT solutions and CAD platforms will help ensure the ongoing support and satisfaction of all Vistagy customers.

"Vistagy has spent the last 20 years supporting the engineering and production work of its customers by providing robust solutions and excellent service," said Steve Luby, Vistagy, Inc.'s President and CEO. "We have been working successfully in partnership with Siemens PLM Software for a long time. And now we are looking forward to becoming a part of Siemens' comprehensive offerings and to significantly expand our current customer base."

Recent years have seen a number of acquisitions by the Siemens Industry Automation Division, in each case involving leaders in their respective field of industrial software: UGS in the United States (2007), Innotec in Germany (2008), Elan Software Systems in France (2009) and Active SA in Brazil (2011).