Dassault Acquires MatrixOne

Dassault Systemes SA, a French company that provides computer-aided design (CAD), manufacturing, engineering and product lifecycle management (PLM) software, on Thursday said it will acquire MatrixOne Inc., a product lifecycle management software provider, for approximately $408 million, in an all cash transaction for $7.25 per share.

The deal, approved by boards at both companies, should close by June.

The acquisition of Westford, Mass.-based MatrixOne gives Dassault Systemes a boost into markets less complex market that have complex processes, such as high-tech electronics, semiconductors, medical devices and apparel, said Dassault Systemes chief executive officer Bernard Charles in a call with analysts and media. "While we have products that serve highly complex industries, we have not covered the all industries," he said. "This we plan to do with MatrixOne."

Charles estimates immediate cost savings as a first step toward synergies of $8 million in 2006 and $25 million in 2007.

The high-end CAD market has matured, but Dassault Systemes sees much stronger growth in PLM software market, which helps companies manage products throughout their life cycles from conception to disposal.The deal, in part, confirms a trend toward consolidation in the business application software market, said Kevin O'Marah, vice president of research at AMR Research Inc. "Dassault, UGS and PTC are three companies in this space that have bought up bits and pieces, consolidating this space," he said. "PTC recently announced a genuine partnership with IBM. It is part of the reason Dassault is making this MatrixOne move."

Agile Software now stands alone as an independent PLM company and could become the next acquisition target, attracting acquirers, such as SAP AG, O'Marah said.

MatrixOne's cash and cash equivalents totaled $98.6 million as of Dec. 31, 2005.

Dassault Systemes didn't release details on a product roadmap or confirm whether MatrixOne chief executive officer Mark O'Connell will remain with the company.