It is no surprise that big things would happen at PLM developer Aras now that the new CEO, Roque Martin, is at the helm. Today we see a clear imprint of this new leadership: Aras, the PLM challenger in recent years, is taking over its largest global partner, Minerva Group.

With the Innovator suite as software platform—a solution that Aras itself is beginning to characterize as a low-code solution—the company took a step up under the leader-turned-board member, founder Peter Schroer. Aras is now considered by analyst CIMdata, for example, as one of the leading platforms, and is labeled a so-called "mind share leader."

With Aras taking over and merging Minerva into the company, they gain control over a player who has meant a lot to Aras’ industry-specific development, both technologically and commercially. Minerva Group bases its work on the Aras platform and is particularly aimed at manufacturers of medical devices and high-tech electronics. In addition, the IT service provider has extensive industry knowledge in the automotive, aerospace, defense and industrial construction sectors.

With the merger, Aras will have a stronger local presence in Scandinavia and the Netherlands. The merger will take effect immediately.

No purchase price is revealed.

In his welcome to the Minerva team, Roque Martin, points to the specific strengths that are being brought into the new expanded company.

With new industry-specific, world-class applications for medical equipment and electronics, Minerva has very strong solutions, he says. “Minerva has been an integral part of our partner network for more than a decade. Incorporation in our company is of great strategic value. Together, we can better support customers in solving the diversity of digitalization challenges in the areas of technology, manufacturing and supply chain.”

Deep Industry Knowledge

Industrial companies today are facing increased product complexity and increased competition, Aras states in a press release. In addition, supply chains are changing and regulatory requirements are constantly increasing. These are tough challenges that actualize the need for a comprehensive digital transformation to overcome obstacles that will get in the way during the journey. For global companies in particular, the ability to digitize and continuously adapt is crucial to their competitiveness.

This, Aras further claims, “is the only way to quickly bring new products and services to market, comply with regulations and deliver high-quality products. The extensive systemic flexibility required for this is ensured by the applications from Minerva based on the Aras platform. They can therefore be used immediately by companies.”

“Our business is based on our customers' success through in-depth industry knowledge and technical skills. Our long-term partnership with Aras has made it possible for us to offer our customers unmatched value,” comments Asger Thierry, founder and CEO of Minerva Group. “The merger with Aras will enable us to serve companies around the world even better and to grow steadily.”

Positive Industry Analysts

CEO and chairman of the Board at the analyst CIMdata, Peter Bilello, is very positive about the merger.

“Minerva adds a wealth of industrial and PLM expertise that Aras and its customers can benefit from on day one. With the Aras platform, Minerva has comprehensive PLM solutions for FDA compliance and high-tech workflows in electronics manufacturing,” he says. “These well-defined and fully functional industry applications enable companies to implement quickly, easily adapt and quickly scale.”

All in all, this judgement is quite relevant. Minerva offers solutions with good PLM functionality, especially in the markets for medical equipment and high-tech electronics, as emphasized above.

My take is that with this merger, Aras can position itself better to solve complex digitalization challenges in technology, manufacturing and the supply chain. At the same time, Minerva's expertise in vehicle, aerospace, defense and industrial equipment manufacturing is a valuable asset with potential for Aras.