Last week, Trimble announced the acquisition of Callidus Precision Systems GmbH, strengthening its 3D scanning and industrial plant solutions. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. Halle, Germany-based Callidus serves the power and manufacturing process plant markets as well as shipbuilding and offshore applications with its CP 3200 time-of-flight mid-range scanner and the Callidus CPW 8000 pulse-wave scanner. The Callidus CT 180 and CT 900 close-range scanners will also be offered by Trimble.
Trimble began distributing Callidus products in 2002. The company tells us it was “testing the scanning market” for a few years and when it later acquired MENSI S.A. in December 2003, its focus then was on the survey market, which later led to the development of the Trimble GX 3D Scanner. Subsequent developments in the plant market pushed Trimble to investigate data solutions for that market. “Of course, the right [business]priorities are given by developments, customer requirements, etcetera, etcetera,” says Omar-Pierre Soubra, marketing communications manager, Trimble Survey Division. “It may seem late on the Callidus [acquisition], but it’s making sense now for the market and for us. [Our offering] is wide but is market-oriented now.”
Callidus will be part of Trimble’s Power, Process and Plant Division within the Engineering and Construction segment.
