PARIS — Lectra announced on Dec. 22 the acquisition of Humantec Industriesysteme GmbH of Huisheim, Germany, by Lectra.
Founded in 1993 by Peter Felber, the company’s president since that date and majority shareholder, Humantec has developed technology in leather cutting systems. The company is focused in three major market segments: automotive seating & interiors, furniture & furnishings and industrial textiles.
Humantec’s Lasernest was the world’s first automatic leather cutting system for full leather hides when it was introduced in 1994. Today, Humantec’s Autonest responds to increasing pressure for automation in the industry by offering high throughput, combined with easy systems operation, according to the company.
Humantec is a significant player in its markets — ranked, along with Lectra, among the top three companies for leather cutting — with strong positions in North America and Europe, and has recently expanded into Asia.
Humantec has a total staff of 70 employees, with 55 in Germany, six in Slovakia and seven in the United States.
During its 11-year history, Humantec has sold more than 200 cutting systems, including more than 170 leather cutting systems. Forty percent of these systems have been sold to the automotive market, and 35 percent to furniture & furnishings companies.
Humantec has developed a solid customer base, which includes many industry leaders, in automotive seating & interiors, in the aerospace industry and in furniture & furnishings.
The Humantec shareholders and Lectra have entered into a binding letter of intent. The definitive agreements and closing of the transaction are expected to occur within the 60 days.
The transaction includes the acquisition of 100 percent of Humantec Industriesysteme GmbH and its U.S.-based sister company, Humantec Systems, Inc.
Lectra develops software and hardware dedicated to industrial users of textiles, leather and other soft materials. The company has a staff of 1,500 worldwide, serving 17,000 customers in more than 100 countries.
Lectra is present across a broad array of major markets, including fashion and apparel; luggage & leather goods; footwear; furniture & furnishings; and the automotive, aerospace and marine industries.
“Thanks to Humantec’s leather cutting technology, specifically developed for car seating, Lectra will now offer its automotive customers the most advanced product range,” said Daniel Harari, Lectra CEO.
