Siemens acquires COMSA to further extend lead in automotive electrical systems design

Dec 2018
Jon Knox

Siemens announced it has acquired COMSA Computer und Software GmbH, a Munich-based company which develops software for electrical systems design and wire harness engineering. Its LDorado suite is the leader in automotive harness design and engineering software in Germany, reflecting deep local expertise and market presence with a well-established product portfolio and strong emphasis on standards. The COMSA team and technology will join the Mentor business, part of Siemens PLM Software, where it will add key harness engineering and design data analytics capabilities to the Siemens product range.

“The acquisition of COMSA is part of Siemens’ continued investment in technology for the automotive industry,” said Tony Hemmelgarn, president and CEO of Siemens PLM Software. “The combination of Siemens and COMSA solutions and specialist staff is unrivaled in the industry. Together, we will take electrical systems and harness engineering to the new levels needed to meet the demands of electric and autonomous vehicle development, and provide deeply integrated technical capabilities that will benefit COMSA and Siemens customers worldwide.”

Bishop and Associates estimate that in 2017 the worldwide revenue for the cable assembly market was $155 billion with approximately 30% of the market from automotive. According to Cowen Research (Oct.19, 2018), “The wiring harness today is the third highest cost component in a car (behind the engine and chassis). Harnesses are built one at a time and can comprise about 50 percent of the cost of labor for the entire car. The wiring harness is also the third heaviest component (behind the chassis and engine). Any technology that reduces this weight directly contributes to fuel economy.” Through this acquisition, Siemens plans to extend worldwide the delivery of new technology offerings that address disruption in the automotive harness industry caused by megatrends such as autonomous driving and electric vehicles.

Siemens’ Capital™ software, part of the portfolio of recently acquired Mentor Graphics, extends from electrical/electronic architecture development through electrical systems design and service into wire harness design and manufacture. The addition of COMSA adds key harness engineering and design data analytics technologies, with strong support for new data standards emerging especially in Europe.

“With Siemens’ acquisition of COMSA, we will be able to participate and contribute to this growing market in ways and locations that we could not have reached alone. The strength of COMSA’s LDorado software in wire harness engineering and analytics is a perfect complement to the Capital portfolio developed by Mentor, and we are excited to be a part of the forthcoming journey together,” said Josef Biermeier, CEO of COMSA. ‘‘This combination is a win-win for both our companies, for our customers and the entire automotive industry.”

“We have long admired the COMSA team and their products, and through this acquisition we are bringing together the complementary skills of two of the strongest players in the industry for the benefit of our customers,” said Martin O’Brien, senior vice president, Integrated Electrical Systems at Mentor, a Siemens business. “The combination of Capital and LDorado technology with Siemens expertise in adjacent design domains and factory automation will enable us to better assist our customers in transforming their operations’ competitiveness and increase profitability.”

The transaction closed on Dec 3, 2018. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Siemens PLM Software, a business unit of the Siemens Digital Factory Division, is a leading global provider of software solutions to drive the digital transformation of industry, creating new opportunities for manufacturers to realize innovation. With headquarters in Plano, Texas, and over 140,000 customers worldwide, Siemens PLM Software works with companies of all sizes to transform the way ideas come to life, the way products are realized, and the way products and assets in operation are used and understood. For more information on Siemens PLM Software products and services, visit www.siemens.com/plm

Siemens AG (Berlin and Munich) is a global technology powerhouse that has stood for engineering excellence, innovation, quality, reliability and internationality for more than 170 years. The company is active around the globe, focusing on the areas of electrification, automation and digitalization. One of the largest producers of energy-efficient, resource-saving technologies, Siemens is a leading supplier of efficient power generation and power transmission solutions and a pioneer in infrastructure solutions as well as automation, drive and software solutions for industry. With its publicly listed subsidiary Siemens Healthineers AG, the company is also a leading provider of medical imaging equipment – such as computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging systems – and a leader in laboratory diagnostics as well as clinical IT. In fiscal 2018, which ended on September 30, 2018, Siemens generated revenue of €83.0 billion and net income of €6.1 billion. At the end of September 2018, the company had around 379,000 employees worldwide. Further information is available on the Internet at www.siemens.com