Autodesk to Acquire Blue Ridge Numerics for $39M
 SAN
FRANCISCO, CA, Feb 17, 2011 - Autodesk,
Inc., (NASDAQ:ADSK), a leader in
3D design, engineering and entertainment software, announced that it has
signed a definitive agreement to acquire Blue Ridge Numerics, Inc., a leading
provider of simulation software, for approximately $39 million in cash. The
transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to close
in Autodesk’s first quarter of fiscal 2012 (which ends on April 30, 2011).
Charlottesville, Virginia-based Blue Ridge
Numerics’ CFdesign technology will be an
important addition to the Autodesk simulation
software portfolio for manufacturers, which
currently includes Autodesk Inventor, Autodesk
Algor Simulation and Autodesk Moldflow. It will
broaden the Autodesk solution for Digital
Prototyping to provide customers with a spectrum
of computational fluid dynamics (CFD)
capabilities that help automate fluid flow and
thermal simulation decision-making for designs,
while eliminating costly physical prototyping
cycles.
“Simulation represents a significant growth
area for Autodesk, and we are focused on
strengthening our portfolio in this area both
organically and through acquisitions,” said
Robert “Buzz” Kross, senior vice president of
the Manufacturing Industry Group at Autodesk.
“The acquisition of Blue Ridge Numerics will add
important new simulation capabilities to
virtually test and predict how a product or
building design will work, allowing our
customers to compete more effectively at every
step of the design process.”
“Since 1992, Blue Ridge Numerics’
comprehensive CFD tools have helped engineers
improve quality, accelerate time-to-market and
drive profitability,” said Ed Williams,
president and co-founder of Blue Ridge Numerics.
“Autodesk is a valued business partner, and the
combination of both companies’ proven Digital
Prototyping technologies will help customers
worldwide tackle complex engineering challenges
and ultimately be more successful with their
designs.”
Proposed Integration
Blue Ridge Numerics’ CFdesign software allows
mechanical and building system engineers to
virtually test and predict real-world behavior
of new and existing designs and eliminate
expensive physical prototyping cycles in the
lab. Its CFD software allows engineers to make
informed, up-front decisions about air flow,
fluid flow or electronics cooling to help design
and manufacture safer, quality products or
construct more energy efficient buildings.
Blue Ridge Numerics has successfully broken
down technological barriers that previously
prevented the integration of CFD within the
mainstream product development process. The
company’s robust, general-purpose analytical
engine produces accurate simulations set up
within a range of CAD systems with little human
time or simulation experience required.
Upon completion of the acquisition,
Autodesk's intent is to integrate Blue Ridge
Numerics into its Manufacturing Industry Group
and to continue developing and selling Blue
Ridge Numerics CFdesign products, supporting
Blue Ridge Numerics customers and integrating
them into the Autodesk Manufacturing Community.
Autodesk is also committed to continue
developing the Blue Ridge Numerics products with
a multi-CAD approach, allowing direct data
exchange between CFdesign products and multiple
computer aided design software offerings.
Business Outlook
This transaction is expected to decrease
Autodesk’s GAAP diluted earnings per share in
its fiscal first quarter of fiscal 2012 by
approximately $0.01 and non-GAAP diluted
earnings per share by approximately $0.01. For
the full year fiscal 2012, this transaction is
expected to decrease Autodesk’s GAAP diluted
earnings per share by approximately $0.02-$0.03
and non-GAAP diluted earnings per share by
approximately $0.01-$0.02. Non-GAAP diluted
earnings per share exclude $0.01 for
amortization of acquisition related intangibles,
net of tax.
About Blue Ridge Numerics
Blue Ridge Numerics, Inc. is a Global
Environment Fund portfolio company and has been
consistently ranked among the fastest-growing
technology companies in North America. The
company's CFdesign upfront CFD software
integrates comprehensive fluid-flow and
heat-transfer simulation into early phases of
design and engineering, when companies can
dramatically improve product quality,
time-to-market, and ultimately profitability
through the product life cycle. Learn more about
CFD technology and best practices for
implementation at:
www.upfrontcfd.com.
About Autodesk
Autodesk, Inc., is a leader in
3D design, engineering and entertainment
software. Customers across the manufacturing,
architecture, building, construction, and media
and entertainment industries – including the
last 15 Academy Award winners for Best Visual
Effects – use Autodesk software to design,
visualize and simulate their ideas. Since its
introduction of AutoCAD software in 1982,
Autodesk continues to develop the broadest
portfolio of state-of-the-art software for
global markets. For additional information about
Autodesk, visit
www.autodesk.com.
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