What did I see this morning? We’re not even at the end of January, and it already feels like a very long year … something like that. You too? We’ll get through it together!

While the wider world swirls madly, our little PLMish corner has not been idle, oh no: acquisitions keep coming, earnings are starting, and people continue to do amazing things with these technologies. A few things to catch up on:

The two big acquisitions in our space are on target to close … sometime. Yesterday, Altair announced (here: https://investor.altair.com/news-releases/news-release-details/altair-engineering-inc-stockholders-approve-proposed-merger) that its shareholders approved its merger with Siemens for $113.00 per share in cash. Separately, Altair disclosed that three lawsuits have been filed regarding the merger, with complainants saying that the documents made available to shareholders were incomplete and misrepresented facts related to the deal. Read this — it’s interesting to see what these complainants want to see clarified: https://investor.altair.com/node/15516/html . I’m not sure what happens to the suits, given that shareholders voted to approve the merger — I guess we’ll have to see. As I understand it, this deal is still on target to close later this year.

The other big deal in our universe, Synopsys acquiring Ansys, is still slowly inching forward. On 20 December, the U.K. Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said (here: https://www.reuters.com/technology/uk-regulator-says-it-could-clear-synopsys-35-bln-ansys-acquisition-if-concerns-2024-12-20/) that the combination could reduce innovation and lead to higher prices — but that it could see approving the deal if those concerns are resolved. Synopsys said it expected this comment and has “already taken steps to address all concerns raised by the CMA after their Phase 1 investigation. For example, Synopsys previously announced plans to sell its Optical Solutions business to Keysight, subject to the closing of Synopsys’ proposed acquisition of Ansys.” (Here: https://investor.synopsys.com/news/news-details/2024/Synopsys-Responds-to-U.K.-Competition-and-Markets-Authoritys-Phase-1-Announcement-Regarding-Ansys-Acquisition/default.aspx ) Then, on 6 January, Ansys and Synopsys said that Ansys would sell its PowerArtist business to Keysight because “Ansys and Synopsys determined that the sale of PowerArtist was necessary to obtain regulatory approval for Synopsys’ proposed acquisition of Ansys.” https://investor.synopsys.com/news/news-details/2025/Ansys-and-Synopsys-Announce-Agreement-with-Keysight-Technologies-for-Sale-of-Ansys-PowerArtist/default.aspx . And THAT, my friends, led to the news on 10 January that the UK CMA EU [edited to replace “UK”] has approved the merger. In that announcement, Synopsys added that “the U.S. HSR [Hart Scott Rodino anti-competitive notification] Act waiting period has expired, and we are working cooperatively with the FTC to conclude its investigation and review of our proposed remedies. China SAMR has officially accepted our filing, and its review is in process. In addition, we continue to work with the regulators in other relevant jurisdictions to conclude their reviews.” (Read more here: https://investor.synopsys.com/news/news-details/2025/Synopsys-Responds-to-the-European-Commission-Approving-its-Proposed-Acquisition-of-Ansys-in-Phase-1/default.aspx) . So, not done yet, but knocking down the dominos one by one. Synopsys still expects this to close in the first half of 2025.

Other acquisitions are going on that are a little less spendy but just as important for their stakeholders. Among others:

Cadence will acquire Secure-IC, an embedded security IP platform provider. This “will augment Cadence’s rapidly expanding portfolio of leading-edge, silicon-proven IP, including interface, memory, AI/ML and DSP solutions.” See here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250121792961/en/ Another one that’s expected to close in the first half of 2025 — but unlike the two above, Secure-IC is expected to be immaterial to Cadence’s revenue. No price was given.

And one more: GoEngineer has acquired CAD MicroSolutions, a Canadian SOLIDWORKS reseller. Interesting (and why I’m telling you about this) is that GoEngineer is backed by Court Square Capital Partners, who invested in GoEngineer in 2021. (See here: https://www.pehub.com/court-square-backed-goengineer-snaps-up-cad-microsolutions/ ) Read here: https://www.courtsquare.com/portfolio/goengineer/ to see what Court is doing with GoEngineer.

A couple of other newsy bits:

That was fast! Back in mid-November, Hexagon and its then-CEO Paolo Guglielmini parted ways, and earlier this week, the company unveiled his replacement, Anders Svensson (see here: https://hexagon.com/company/newsroom/press-releases/2025/anders-svensson-appointed-as-new-president-and-ceo-of-hexagon ). Mr. Svensson will join Hexagon from Konecranes, and, prior to that, Sandvik sometime before the end of July 2025.

Speaking of Sandvik, the company announced its FQ4 2024 results today — and they were … OK. Total revenue was up 1% (as reported and in constant currencies) to SEK 32,151 million (just under US$3 billion) even on “volume deterioration” in several of its business lines. Looking only at the Manufacturing and Machining Solutions business, total revenue in Q4 was SEK 12,041 million, down 1%, mostly on weaker demand for cutting tools across industries and geos. Bright spots: “Demand for our software solutions remained robust in the US, although organic order intake was negatively impacted by automotive in Europe.” And the company continues to buy up CAM resellers: “In January, we took additional steps to grow in the digital manufacturing space with the acquisition of FASTech, a US-based reseller of Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) solutions. With this acquisition, Sandvik strengthens its position in the CAM market and further builds on its capabilities to serve customers as well as expand the customer base.” Lots more here: https://www.home.sandvik/en/investors/reports-presentations/

Welcome to what I think is going to be a very active year!