Quickies: AspenTech, Cimatron, Comet & MuM

Trying to keep up with the news flow isn’t easy this week! Here are a few tidbits that might have escaped your notice: Aspen Tech has acquired SolidSim Engineering GmbH, a provider of solids process modeling software. It’s a natural combination, since a lot of process manufacturers already use SolidSim in their design and flowsheeting. Most people think of process manufacturing as involving liquids and gases, but the category also includes metals and mining, food and other bulk products made up of bigger particles. These solids can be complicated, with varying shapes, densities, porosity and other factors that don’t really apply in a fluid process. No financial details were released. Cimatron reported revenue of $12 million (up 11%) in Q4 and $41 million for the full year, up 13%. More details after I listen to the earnings replay. Comet Solutions announced the closing of a $4 million Series C equity capital round, led by current investor Athenian Venture Partners and a syndicate including new investor Sun Mountain Capital, current investor Tri-State Growth Capital Fund and several individuals. Comet closed a $2 million, B round of financing in December 2009. That round was led by Athenian Venture Partners, with participation from Tri-State Growth Capital Fund and Kentucky Co-Investment Partners. Proceeds from the C round will be used primarily to expand sales, marketing, and customer support. Mensch und Maschine announced preliminary results for 2011 that reflect both the sale of its distribution business (down) and growth in sales of its own software and Autodesk products (up). Total revenue of €192 million was just a tad below last year’s €196 million; sales from software developed by MUM were €29 million, up 12%, while sales from the VAR D/A/CH business were up 18% to €68 million. Sales from the exited Distribution business were €95 million, down 16%. Final results will be out on March 26.