Dassault Acquires SFE

Dassault Systems announced the acquisition of SFE GmbH, a provider of body conceptual engineering and performance evaluation and optimization. According to Dassault, the addition of SFE’s technology to the 3DEXPERIENCE platform enhances its transportation and mobility industry solution experiences, such as “Target Zero Defect.”  This acquisition also expands its CATIA and SIMULIA applications. The amount of the transaction was not disclosed.

“The combined SFE and Dassault Systems 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 and mobility,” said Bernard Charles, Dassault’s president and CEO. “It reinforces Dassault Systems’ 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 Systems, 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.”

“This is an exciting development for SFE and its customers and partners. We have worked closely with Dassault Systems 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. “SFE’s customers will receive significant value through Dassault Systems’ global support organization and well-recognized commitment to research and development.”

The transaction includes the purchase of SFE, 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.

For more information, visit Dassault Systems and SFE.

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company’s website.