Siemens buys UK production planning specialist
Siemens is buying the Preactor Group, a UK-based developer of production planning software, for an undisclosed sum. Preactor's Advanced Planning and Scheduling (APS) software will add new components to Siemens’ Manufacturing Operations Management (MOM) portfolio.
Preactor, based in Chippenham, Wiltshire, was founded in 1992, and currently employs 70 people. Once the deal is complete, the company will join Siemens’ Industry Automation Division.
Preactor's APS planning software has been installed by more than 4,500 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,” says Anton Huber, CEO of Siemens’ Industry Automation division. “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.”
Since the end of 2011, Siemens has acquired a string of industrial software providers, including Active Tecnologia em Sistemas de Automação (pharmaceutical and biotech production), Vistagy (design of composite materials), IBS AG (quality and production management), Innotec do Brasil (holistic plant management), Perfect Costing Solutions (cost management), VRcontext International (3D plant visualization) and LMS International (mechatronic simulation).
