Siemens acquires Preactor

By acquiring the Preactor Group headquartered in Chippenham in the UK, Siemens further expand its international lead in the industry software market. Preactor's APS software solutions will add significant new components to the Siemens Manufacturing Operations Management (MOM) portfolio.

Preactor has been developing software solutions for efficient automated production planning processes for over 20 years. Once the deal is complete, the UK-based company will be assigned to the Siemens Industry Automation Division. The relevant agreement was signed today. The purchase price will not be disclosed.

The Preactor Group was founded in 1992, and currently employs a workforce of 70. Alongside its base in the UK, the company is also represented in North America, India, France, Spain and China. Preactor's APS planning software has been installed by over 4,500 small, medium and large multinational companies in 75 countries, and is used to drive down production costs, boost productivity and improve adherence to delivery deadlines.

“By acquiring the Preactor Group, we are further extending our position as an industry software supplier in the field of production and logistics”, said Anton S. Huber, CEO of the Siemens Division Industry Automation. “The solutions supplied by Preactor ideally complement our MES product portfolio. We will be extending our industry software offering to include APS as a key component in the field of Manufacturing Operations Management. With the Preactor Group, we are gaining a team of specialists with a proven track record as a preferred supplier and service provider for APS solutions the world over”.

The Preactor Group's President and CEO Mike Novels adds: “We have no plans to divert from our existing successful course. With our highly qualified workforce and Siemens behind us, we will be in a position to supply our future-oriented APS software solutions as a global partner backed by worldwide presence and support. We will be making a major contribution to the ability of companies the world over to fully utilize their resources and adhere to confirmed deadlines.”

Since the end of 2011, Siemens has acquired industrial software providers across every branch of industry, including: Active Tecnologia em Sistemas de Automação Ltda. (pharmaceutical and biotech production), Vistagy Inc. (design of composite materials), IBS AG (quality and production management), Innotec do Brasil Ltda. (holistic plant management), Perfect Costing Solutions GmbH (cost management), VRcontext International S.A. (3D plant visualization) and LMS International (mechatronic simulation).

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The Siemens Industry Sector (Erlangen, Germany) is the world's leading supplier of innovative and environmentally friendly products and solutions for industrial customers. With end-to-end automation technology and industrial software, solid vertical-market expertise, and technology-based services, the Sector enhances its customers' productivity, efficiency, and flexibility. With a global workforce of more than 100,000 employees, the Industry Sector comprises the Divisions Industry Automation, Drive Technologies and Customer Services as well as the Business Unit Metals Technologies. For more information, visit http://www.siemens.com/industry

The Siemens Industry Automation Division (Nuremberg, Germany) supports the entire value chain of its industrial customers – from product design to production and services – with an unmatched combination of automation technology, industrial control technology, and industrial software. With its software solutions, the Division can shorten the time-to-market of new products by up to 50 percent. Industry Automation comprises five Business Units: Industrial Automation Systems, Control Components and Systems Engineering, Sensors and Communications, Siemens PLM Software, and Water Technologies. For more information, visit http://www.siemens.com/industryautomation

Preactor International (Chippenham, UK) is a world leader in production planning and scheduling software used by a wide range of businesses. The company was established more than 20 years ago by its founders including President and CEO Mike Novels, one of the leading experts in planning and scheduling technology in the manufacturing sector. Frequently integrated with ERP, MES and Supply Chain Management solutions, Preactor's breakthrough technology is used by more than 4500 small, medium and large multinational companies located in 75 countries. Preactor offers a family of applications ranging from mid and long term capacity planning to detailed scheduling and is translated into 30 languages. For more information visit: http://www.preactor.com

Reference Number: IIA2013063008e

Contact
Ms. Evelyne Kadel
Industry Automation Division
Siemens AG
Gleiwitzerstr. 555
90475 Nuremberg
Germany
Tel: +49 (211) 69161003
evelyne.kadel@siemens.com