Autodesk to acquire Blue Ridge Numerics

Autodesk, Inc., a provider of 3D design, engineering and entertainment software, has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Blue Ridge Numerics, Inc., a provider of simulation software, for approximately $39 million US in cash. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to close by the end of April.

Charlottesville, Va.-based Blue Ridge Numerics’ CFdesign technology will be added to Autodesk’s 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.”

Blue Ridge Numerics’ CFdesign software allows mechanical and building system engineers to virtually test and predict real-world behaviour 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.

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.

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