CIMdata 2018 PLM Market Numbers – Growth With the Forecast for M&A

I missed 2019 CIMdata Industry and Market forum earlier this year in Ann Arbor, MI. Stan Przybylinski of CIMdata was kind enough to share his insight and some information from the forum included in his 2019 Market analysis presentation.

It is always great to have an opportunity to meet Stan in person –  Brookline Starbucks is still the best place to talk about PLM.

The PLM market was growing faster than CIMdata expected.

Several trends charts can give you an idea of what is CIMdata’s assessment of the market and prediction about future market trajectory.

The term PLM is broad, so to narrow down to cPDM segment (which for most of readers of my blog is a traditional form of PLM)

A separate topic in the research is related to mergers and acquisitions. CIMdata counted 125 acquisitions in PLM industry in 2018. M&A activities remain one of the main drivers behind major PLM portfolio growth and strategic development.

The following slides can give you an idea who acquired whom in PLM and give you some perspective of what are strategic development of vendors in PLM space

And… the final conclusion from CIMdatta.

What is my conclusion? PLM is a sophisticated market with established companies, business, and trajectories. However, new technologies, business models and development can give you an opportunity to build new value and it can be demanded by the market as well as large vendors growing by acquisitions. Just my thoughts…

Best, Oleg

Disclaimer: I’m co-founder and CEO of OpenBOM developing cloud-based bill of materials and inventory management tool for manufacturing companies, hardware startups, and supply chain. My opinion can be unintentionally biased.