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Solid Solutions Acquires GRM Consulting and 3DPRINTUK

May 22nd, 2023:

Solid Solutions, a UK-based technology and business solutions partner for design engineers and manufacturers, has acquired GRM Consulting and 3DPRINTUK.

Based in Leamington Spa, England, GRM provides design optimization services and software, with special expertise in advanced simulation, composite materials, and analysis. For 20 years, product designers in industries such as automotive, motorsports, aerospace, rail, and medical have engaged GRM to help them solve complex engineering problems.

3DPRINTUK, headquartered in London, England, is the leading UK-based 3D printing service bureau. Thousands of clients across the UK rely on their expert service and industrial-grade production systems for on-demand additive manufacturing of prototypes, tooling, and end use parts.

A focus on services

These recent moves follow TriMech’s acquisition of Solid Solutions in 2022, which brought together hundreds of technical specialists from across North America, the UK, and Ireland. Expanding their simulation consultancy team and adding 3D printing services with these two acquisitions helps Solid Solutions further expand its offerings. Along with the acquisition of recruitment specialists Solid People earlier this year, Solid Solutions continues to build a comprehensive set of services to help support its clients from design through production.

Alan Sampson is TriMech’s Global CEO. He said that since Solid Solutions became part of TriMech, the integrated business has delivered on its strategy to expand and diversify service offerings.

“We’re always seeking to enhance our position as the best-in-class partner to the advanced design, engineering, and manufacturing sectors across the globe. Bringing in the teams from both GRM and 3DPRINTUK sets the stage for further growth in key service areas. Each of these well-established, growing businesses provides an excellent foundation to build upon.”

Alan Sampson, TriMech CEO

Opportunities for collaboration and growth

GRM’s Managing Director Martin Gambling explained that his team uses a unique combination of deep expertise, proven methodologies, and advanced software to accelerate complex designs and shave hours off the product development lifecycle. Specialties include stress analysis, non-linear FEA (finite element analysis), CFD (computational fluid dynamics), light-weighting, composite engineering and topology optimization.

“We work in the most demanding sectors, with fast-moving clients who continually innovate and push design boundaries. Working in Formula 1™, we are proud to have supplied the team winning the Driver’s Championship for 17 of the last 18 years. I’m looking forward to capitalizing on the size and strength of a larger technical team, which will help us deploy even more resources to tackle complex challenges.”

Martin Gambling, GRM Consulting Managing Director

3DPRINTUK, founded in 2011, are specialists in low-volume production using SLS (selective laser sintering) and MJF (multi-jet fusion) additive manufacturing systems, along with post-processing capabilities. They bridge the gap between prototype and injection molding for clients spanning a range of sectors, from consumer products to marine to aerospace.

Director Nick Allen said he is excited about the opportunities for growth.

“Serving as the dedicated 3D printing services team for the Solid Solutions Group, and tapping into their diverse client base, gives us a chance to share our expertise more widely. We’ll also have a chance to collaborate with TriMech’s Advanced Manufacturing Services experts in North America and work internationally to deploy best practices and emerging technologies for our clients.”

Nick Allen, 3DPRINTUK Director

The right mix of tools for the job

Sampson said that more specialized offerings in key areas are becoming increasingly important to engineering and manufacturing clients.

“Clients are seeking more depth of expertise and a single technology partner who can advise and guide them, while providing products and services that influence all aspects of their business. Professional, reliable services fill clients’ gaps quickly and keep their work on track. And adding these new services enhances our ability to always bring the right mix of tools to the job.”

Alan Sampson, TriMech CEO

Leadership will remain consistent at both GRM Consulting and 3DPRINTUK.

For more information, visit TriMech.com, GRM-Consulting.co.uk or 3DPRINT-UK.co.uk.

About TriMech

Founded in 1998 and headquartered in Richmond, VA, TriMech is a leading technology and business solutions partner for designers, engineers, and manufacturers. It works with top software and hardware partners, including Dassault Systèmes, CNC Software, Stratasys, and Artec, and its experts provide computer-aided design and engineering software, additive and subtractive manufacturing solutions, and associated training, consulting, implementation, and staff augmentation services for clients across a variety of industries.

Its tools support 3D modeling, simulation, virtual replication, and collaboration, as well as data management, configure-price-quote automation, product lifecycle management, and enterprise resource planning. TriMech has grown to have more than 50 locations across four countries – the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Ireland – serving more than 30,000 clients with over 650 employees. TriMech is a portfolio company of Sentinel Capital Partners, a U.S. private equity firm.

About GRM Consulting

GRM Consulting is a design engineering consultancy based in England. The team specializes in all major CAE (computer-aided engineering) techniques and provides services and software solutions. Within GRM’s core is the development and application of design optimization methodologies to solve complex engineering problems in the most efficient, cost-effective way. GRM’s vision is to be the first choice for optimized engineering design solutions for organizations all over the world.

About 3DPRINTUK

3DPRINTUK are specialists in low volume production using state-of-the-art SLS and MJF 3D printing systems. Their aim is to bridge the void between prototype and injection molding and make the best plastic parts possible. With more than 10 years’ experience, the 3DPRINTUK team has mastered the process of printing parts using both SLS and MJF technology, with no need for support material, virtually no layer lines, and short turnaround times, all of which combine to produce accurate, robust parts, time and time again.

Solid Solutions Acquires Recruitment Specialists Solid People

January 16th, 2023:

Solid Solutions - A TriMech Company has acquired Solid People, a UK-based team of CAD (computer aided design) recruitment specialists who help clients grow their engineering and design teams. Based in Newark, Nottinghamshire, Solid People is led by Ross Bannister, who founded the company 13 years ago. Its specialty is recruitment services, to help clients fill positions that require proficiency in tools such as SOLIDWORKS and the Dassault Systémes 3DEXPERIENCE Platform. Over the years, Ross has built a small team, who recently expanded their scope to provide software and training to their customers.

The acquisition is an important step in bringing industry-specific staffing services to Solid Solutions’ clients. Alan Sampson, Solid Solutions CEO, said he welcomes the unique expertise of the Solid People team.

“Solid People is known for its dedication to finding skilled people quickly, so clients can work efficiently, complete projects on time, and be successful. In a time when it is particularly challenging and time-consuming to fill technical positions, we expect demand for recruitment support to continue to grow.”

Alan Sampson, Solid Solutions CEO

Ross is a former employee of Solid Solutions. He explained that he is looking forward to being part of the company again.

“Our team is ready to collaborate with a wider team of talented people and to be part of Solid Solutions’ overall plan to continually expand services to meet client needs. Together, we’re going to make a real difference in a lot of workplaces.”

Ross Bannister, Solid People Managing Director

Solid Solutions supports a community of more than 15,000 UK- and Ireland-based clients. These span a wide variety of sectors and include product designers, mechanical engineers, manufacturers, and educational institutions. TriMech, based in the U.S., acquired Solid Solutions in 2022. Within the TriMech divisions, recruitment services is already a popular offering in North America.

Clients who work with Solid People’s recruitment team or engage with Solid People for SOLIDWORKS or 3DEXPERIENCE solutions or support will see no immediate changes to how they do business with the company. At the same time, they will have access to an even wider range of products and services offered by Solid Solutions and the larger TriMech team. These range from specialized skill-based training courses, to cloud hosting, to enterprise-wide solutions that support complete digital transformation.

For more information, please contact us or call us on 01926 333777.

About TriMech / Solid Solutions

Founded in 1998 and headquartered in Richmond, VA, TriMech is a leading technology and business solutions partner for designers, engineers, and manufacturers. It works with top software and hardware partners, including Dassault Systèmes, CNC Software, Stratasys, and Artec, and its experts provide computer-aided design and engineering software, additive and subtractive manufacturing solutions, and associated training, consulting, implementation, and staff augmentation services for clients across a variety of industries.

Its tools support 3D modeling, simulation, virtual replication, and collaboration, as well as data management, configure-price-quote automation, product lifecycle management, and enterprise resource planning. With its acquisition of Solid Solutions, TriMech has grown to have more than 50 locations across four countries – the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Ireland – serving more than 30,000 clients with over 650 employees, including approximately 270 application engineers. For more information, please visit TriMech.com.

About Solid People

Since 2009 Solid People have been helping companies throughout the UK grow their design teams with specialist CAD recruitment services. Their recruitment team are all trained in CAD, so understand the industry, helping find the right candidates with the right skills for their clients.

Headquartered in Newark, Nottinghamshire, they have a UK wide client base covering a large range of industries such as Automotive, Medical, Furniture, Machinery and Consumer Products. With an ever-growing network of trusted and skilled candidates, they’re able to support their clients with both permanent and contract recruitment services.

In 2021 Solid People also partnered with Dassault Systèmes to provide a wider range of services including the supply of CAD software, support and training. For more information, please visit solidpeople.co.uk.

TriMech and Solid Solutions Unite

Monday June 27th, 2022: Forms a strategic transatlantic technology and solutions partnership for the advanced design, engineering, and manufacturing sectors RICHMOND, Va., June 27, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- TriMech has acquired Solid Solutions Group, bringing together hundreds of technical specialists from across four countries, and expanding support for design engineers and manufacturers in North America, the UK, and Ireland.

Marcel Matte, President and CEO of TriMech, said this move continues TriMech’s effort to broaden the technology and business solutions it can deliver to its clients, who work in industries as diverse as automotive to aerospace, and mining to medical devices.

“For more than two decades, each company’s clients have trusted the advice and support we offer across every stage of the product development process. As we grow, we improve our ability to develop sophisticated, custom solutions that address even more of their challenges. This is one critical way we match up well with Solid Solutions. We both value the partnerships we have with clients who are navigating digital and business transformations.”

Marcel Matte, President and CEO of TriMech

Shaping the industry

The combined company, which has people working in nine time zones, is the most comprehensive provider of software and services for the SOLIDWORKS and Dassault Systèmes portfolio across their combined geographies. Both TriMech and Solid Solutions have a long history of delivering exceptional training, consulting, and support services, with a focus on expanding their capabilities to help take their clients’ businesses to the next level – in design, simulation and analysis, process and workflow, documentation, product data and lifecycle management, as well as offerings for the production floor.

Matte said both TriMech and Solid Solutions believe strongly in the value of serving as a one-stop technology solutions partner to clients of all sizes, including multinational corporations operating in North America, the UK, and other parts of Europe.

“Our leadership teams have embraced a unique vision that maintains a strong focus on enhancing our core products and services while continually increasing our ability to deliver more for those who need it. Custom, process-specific solutions – both within the engineering department and beyond – are becoming increasingly important.”

Marcel Matte, President and CEO of TriMech

Growing together with clients

Solid Solutions is led by CEO Alan Sampson, who will become President of TriMech’s UK and European business. The Solid Solutions management team will remain in place, and the combined company will continue to execute a strategy to expand its portfolio of solutions and services, both organically and through acquisitions.

“We continue to evolve and grow in ways that benefit our clients. No matter how large, diverse, or complex they become, we want to have the offerings and experts to deliver the results they need for the next chapter in their development. That is why joining TriMech is also exciting for our team, who recognise all the opportunities they’ll have to serve our clients in new ways.”

Alan Sampson, Solid Solutions CEO

Solid Solutions’ UK and European clients will eventually gain access to TriMech’s services, including the ability to outsource engineering and advanced manufacturing projects to TriMech, and to use its dedicated and uniquely qualified recruitment team to quickly fill technical positions on their design and engineering teams where SOLIDWORKS and Dassault Systèmes product expertise are critical.

TriMech is a portfolio company of Sentinel Capital Partners, a U.S. private equity firm that invests in promising lower midmarket companies with EBITDA of up to $80 million. Solid Solutions joins TriMech following a two-year successful partnership with LDC, a leading UK mid-market private equity firm, during which the business grew organically and through acquisitions to increase its revenues by more than 35%.

To support continued growth of the combined company, both TriMech and Solid Solutions are actively recruiting for a range of positions in the US and UK/Ireland.

For more information, visit https://trimech.com/expansion-into-uk-with-solid-solutions-acquisition. Find TriMech online at TriMech.com, Solid Solutions at SolidSolutions.co.uk and Sentinel Capital Partners at SentinelPartners.com.

Solid Solutions Management Ltd. Welcomes Desktop Engineering Ltd.

Wednesday October 20, 2021: Solid Solutions Management Ltd has acquired Oxfordshire based Desktop Engineering Limited (DTE) to strengthen its ability to deliver a broader spectrum of design, engineering, and enterprise-wide solutions.

Having acquired several key businesses over the past six years, Solid Solutions now supports a customer community of more than 15,000 UK and Ireland-based customers. These encompass product designers, mechanical engineers, manufacturers, and educational institutions.

The Group already delivers an expansive portfolio of solutions, ranging from 3D design (CAD), manufacturing (CAM) and data management (PDM/PLM) software tools, training, and technical support services, through to comprehensive business transformation programmes.

The acquisition adds increased scale and capacity and allows both existing customers of the Solid Solutions Group, and customers of DTE to benefit from an even wider product and service offering. The team at DTE brings a wealth of experience and expertise in delivering engineering software solutions from Dassault Systèmes with notable success in connecting companies to the 3DEXPERIENCE Cloud platform.

Alan Sampson, CEO at Solid Solutions, commented:

“This investment reflects our commitment to delivering the most comprehensive suite of transformative technologies to customers. We are experiencing growing demand for the more extensive solutions in the Dassault Systèmes portfolio and have invested significantly in expanding our delivery teams with the most qualified engineers in the country.”

Solid Solutions Management Ltd. Welcomes Design Rule Ltd.

4 June 2021: Leamington Spa based Solid Solutions Management Ltd has acquired Design Rule Limited to support its continued growth and enhance its ability to deliver more sophisticated design, engineering, and enterprise-wide solutions.

Having acquired several key businesses over the past six years, Solid Solutions now supports a customer community of more than 15,500 UK and Ireland-based customers. These encompass product designers, mechanical engineers, manufacturers, and educational institutions. The Group already provides an extensive range of 3D design (CAD) and manufacturing (CAM) software tools, as well as comprehensive training and support services.

The acquisition adds both scale and capacity and allows customers to benefit from an even wider product and service offering. The team at Design Rule brings a wealth of expertise in delivering leading-edge Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) Solutions from Dassault Systèmes into manufacturing companies within the UK and worldwide.

Alan Sampson, CEO at Solid Solutions, commented:

"This investment allows us to accelerate the growth plans for the business by increasing our scale and expanding our capabilities. We are experiencing growing demand for the more extensive solutions in the Dassault Systèmes portfolio and are delighted that we are now positioned to respond to this demand with the backing of a highly experienced team."

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A message from our CEO, Alan Sampson:

COVID-19

20 March 2020: In light of the COVID-19 outbreak and the uncertainty and disruption it has caused, I wanted to send a message of support to our customers and to reassure you all that Solid Solutions is still very much open for business. Naturally we will continuously monitor the situation and act accordingly, making sure all possible measures are taken to support the health and well-being of our staff and customers.

We have always prided ourselves on being a responsive and agile business. Undoubtedly the current situation represents a huge challenge for us all, but it is one we are determined to rise to. Our principle activity has always been to provide ongoing technical support for thousands of design and engineering businesses. Naturally, we have seen an increase in support calls to our technical teams as customers look for help switching their workforce to remote working. We have scaled up our capacity to support you and all of our technical teams have moved across to home working. Solid Solutions is a stable and robust business, and I am confident our resilience will ensure we can support our customers as well in the future as we have been doing for the past two decades.

We have given a lot of consideration to what material we can produce to help make the most of any downtime you might face. We will be delivering a range of items including up-skilling webinars, instructional videos, free training and material designed to offer personal development. Watch out for details in the coming days.

We are switching our classroom-based courses to virtual, real-time training courses. This will continue to be delivered by an experienced instructor and allow you the opportunity for discussion and direct interaction. Read more here.

We all hope that these challenging times are short lived and we can return to normal as soon as possible, please be sure to make use of our resources to get any help you require. We welcome any suggestions for other ways we can assist you... just ask.

In the meantime, I wish you all the best and sincerely hope you and your families stay healthy.

Alan Sampson, CEO

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