Investment type
- Secondary buyout
Founded in 1998, Solid Solutions is the UK and Ireland’s leading reseller of SOLIDWORKS, the 3D computer aided design (CAD) package that is owned by Dassault Systems and used by more than five million people worldwide. The company provides software, support and training to thousands of engineers, designers and manufacturing companies across the UK and Ireland.
With headquarters in Leamington Spa, Solid Solutions operates from 23 offices across the UK and Ireland.
A plan for expansion
In February 2020, the firm’s management team, led by CEO and Founder Alan Sampson, CTO Simon Turner and CSO Kathy Sampson, secured a minority investment from LDC to deliver organic and acquisitive growth.
LDC supported Solid Solutions to acquire Design Rule Limited and Desktop Engineering Limited in 2021. In addition to expanding its customer base, the acquisitions further enhanced Solid Solutions’ ability to deliver advanced design, engineering, and enterprise-wide solutions for its customers.
LDC also helped the business to pivot more of its training sessions to online skills development events which resulted in additional customers adopting more advanced software solutions. The switch to remote training has helped Solid Solutions to lower its carbon emissions and forms an integral part of its ESG strategy. The business has planted more than 9,000 trees in forests in developing countries as part of its commitment to plant 50 trees for every Solid Print3D machine sold.
Rob and the rest of the team at LDC fully supported our strategy to grow our business. They encouraged us to be bold with our plans, and to act quickly and efficiently for the benefit of our customers. We could not have asked for a more supportive and engaging partner.”
International trade exit
In June 2022 LDC exited Solid Solutions to TriMech, a US-based technology and business solutions partner for designers, engineers, and manufacturers.
During LDC’s partnership, Solid Solutions increased revenues by more than 35%, up to £73m. The business employs more than 250 people and was recently rated as one of the 75 best companies to work for in the Midlands by its employees.
Awards
International Deal of the Year
Insider Midlands Dealmakers Awards 2022
Deal of the Year
Insider Midlands Dealmakers Awards 2020