Computer Aided Technology (CATI), a provider of product development solutions headquartered in Buffalo Grove, Illinois, has acquired Fisher Unitech, a 3D printing technology provider based in Pleasant Ridge, Michigan.
The merger was carried out after Fisher Unitech was sold by its former parent company, Riverside Co, a global private equity firm. After merging with Fisher Unitech, CATI has reportedly become the largest SOLIDWORKS and Stratasys solutions provider in North America.
“We look forward to working with and supporting Fisher Unitech and their clients,” comments Rich Werneth, President, Computer Aided Technology.
“Like CATI, Fisher Unitech has built its business around ensuring their customers’ success. That’s what makes this merger a great fit.”
Providing Stratasys and SOLIDWORKS technology
Founded in 1992, CATI delivers a portfolio of product development solutions covering software, 3D printing, 3D scanning and metrology, product lifecycle management (PLM), design automation, and implementation solutions. The company provides technology from the likes of Stratasys, Creaform, Dassault Systèmes, and more to help its customers develop their products.
Fisher Unitech on the other hand specifically provides 3D software and hardware for customers seeking to design, validate and manage products from prototyping to manufacturing. The company is said to be one of Dassault Systemes SOLIDWORKS’ leading suppliers, having provided support for the software platform for over twenty years.
In terms of hardware, Fisher Unitech offers a large collection of 3D printers from Stratasys in North America, ranging from desktop solutions like the F120, to higher production systems, like the F900, F380 and F450MC. The company also distributes 3D printers developed by Israeli 3D printing electronics company Nano Dimension. The two firms signed a reseller agreement in 2018 allowing Fisher Unitech to provide Nano Dimension’s proprietary DragonFly 2020 Pro 3D Printer, with intentions to make the technology available to its large customer base.
From 2014, Fisher Unitech was owned by Riverside, before merging with CATI five years later. Riverside, which invests in growing businesses valued at up to $400 million, helped to transition Fisher Unitech from its founders, as well as expanding its management team.
Fisher Unitech joins the CATI family
CATI acquired Fisher Unitech in order to expand its footprint in providing SOLIDWORKS 3D CAD software and Stratasys 3D printers into the Mid-Atlantic and New England areas. Clients of both companies will now benefit from their pooled resources, which includes an expanded solution portfolio, additional technical resources and customer support.
For example, Fisher Unitech customers will now gain access to CATI’s subsidiary, InFlow Technology, which provides Product data management (PDM) and PLM systems, including the 3DEXPERIENCE Platform from Dassault Systèmes. “The CATI Team is one of the best in the business. Their depth of technical resources and ability to support the entire SOLIDWORKS and Stratasys portfolio, as well as the Dassault Systèmes 3DEXPERIENCE Platform, makes them stand out in this industry. This will be a smooth transition with many added benefits for both Fisher Unitech and CATI clients,” explained Matt Wise, President and CEO, Fisher Unitech.
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Featured image shows a CAD model in SolidWorks. Image via SolidWorks.
