It has paid 7m Euro for Cadsoft Computer GmbH, developers of the Eagle brand of electronic design engineer CAD software. There are further potential payments of 5m Euro based on criteria specified in the sale and purchase agreement.
The acquisition fits Premier Farnell's strategy of engaging with electronic design engineers at every opportunity to provide them with technology, information, tools and software. The company says that it will also help internationalise it's proposition and services for the rapidly developing Asian markets.
Distribution and licensing options via Premier Farnell's element14 engineering community web site will allow engineers in the Asian region the necessary access to the Eagle software.
The company says it will extend the CAD software's capabilities by linking it to their databases in a similar methodology to the DesignLink platform.
"The Cadsoft Eagle software extends our portfolio and gives us more tools to help our customers in their design process," said David Shen (pictured) global head of e-commerce and technical marketing for Premier Farnell. "When viewed in addition to our recent launch of DesignLink, the bridge from CAD tools to our product data and information and element14, our new online community and resource centre, we are truly offering the electronic design engineer support right through the design process."
Harriet Green, chief executive officer of Premier Farnell added, "We are excited by the opportunity this acquisition affords us to attract new design engineering customers as we offer them access to industry leading software and our outstanding range of products and support. The Eagle software will enable us to facilitate design exchange between engineers through element14, which when combined with our transactional web sites offer customers a complete online solution to their design and purchasing needs."
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