Lectra and AB-Inventech Sign Cooperation Agreement for the Expanding Wind Energy Market 

Synergy between these two companies opens up new opportunities for manufacturers in the sector—optimizing and automating the overall production process, all the while increasing their competitiveness  

Paris, September 3, 2009 – Lectra, the world leader in integrated technology solutions dedicated to industries using soft materials—textiles, leather, industrial fabrics and composites—is pleased to announce the signature of a global cooperation agreement with AB-Inventech. The purpose of the agreement is to promote and ensure the implementation of comprehensive automated solutions specifically designed for the wind energy and aeronautical markets.

Danish company, AB-Inventech, specializes in the design and manufacturing of innovative equipment for production process automation. It has built up a solid reputation in the development and creation of machines adapted to the specific needs of certain industries with special emphasis on rotor blade production for wind turbines and handling of composite materials.

The company produces systems for loading material and offloading cut pieces which perfectly complement—at each end of the process—Lectra's range of cutters for the industrial fabrics and composites markets, particularly the wind turbine sector. This agreement makes it possible to offer a comprehensive automated solution with productivity levels unmatched by manual cutting equipment.

While maintaining both companies’ independence in terms of sales, this cooperation agreement guarantees production process optimization through the integration of hardware and software. Lectra already supplies the biggest players within the sector, and this agreement coincides with the recent launch of its VectorTechTex FX Extended, which has enhanced the company’s range of cutters specifically for the wind energy market. This new Vector^® has been designed to meet the needs of companies cutting very long pieces of composite materials, such as wind turbine and helicopter blades. Compared with the standard VectorTechTex cutters, the VectorTechTex FX Extended cutter offers a further increase in productivity of up to 20% when cutting long pieces.

Complementary Products for Greater Competitiveness

Through this agreement, Lectra and AB-Inventech can now offer their joint customers one overall solution that yields substantial productivity gains. Customers can thus increase their competitiveness by reducing costs and time-to-market, while guaranteeing high quality standards, perfect accuracy and infallible product traceability.

The announcement of this agreement between Lectra and AB-Inventech confirms the complementarity of their products—for several years, customers have reaped the benefits of successful joint implementation of both companies’ solutions. Along with the seamless integration of their equipment and an excellent knowledge of the market, this agreement strengthens the collaboration between the two companies in this rapidly developing sector.  

"The agreement we have just sealed with AB-Inventech is the result of positive shared experiences implementing solutions specifically for the wind energy market," explains Daniel Harari, Lectra CEO. "Through the synergy of our products and our expertise, customers are assured a place at the forefront of this major growth market.

"For many years the two companies have worked closely together implementing automation solutions especially for customers in the international wind turbine market” adds Niels Kirkegaard, AB-Inventech COO. “The signing of this Agreement is a logical consequence of the very positive co-operation we have experienced with Lectra and we look forward to an even closer co-operation in the future.

”Wind Energy: an Expanding Market

According to BTM Consult, an independent consultancy firm specializing in renewable energy, average growth in new installations of wind turbines is estimated at 15.7% per year until 2013. This is expected to rise to 17.2% in 2014.

Consequently, companies must prepare now in order to cope effectively with this growing demand and the requirements of the market, both in terms of product quality and flexibility of supply. With the support of AB-Inventech, Lectra’s goal is to enable companies in the wind energy industry to be in a position to meet the challenges they face in a complex yet promising economic climate.    

About AB-Inventech

Based on the key words: Innovation, Rationalisation and Automation AB-Inventech develops, engineers and implements special purpose machines and automation solutions for customers in many different segments.
Within handling of composite materials and production of rotor blades for wind turbines AB-Inventech has a very broad know-how and experience which is one of the key assets for this co-operation. For more information, please visit www.ab-inventech.dk.   

About Lectra

Lectra is the world leader in integrated technology solutions that automate, streamline and accelerate product design, development and manufacturing processes for industries using soft materials. Lectra develops the most advanced specialized software and cutting systems and provides associated services to a broad array of markets including fashion (apparel, accessories, footwear), automotive (car seats and interiors, airbags), and furniture, as well as a wide variety of other market sectors, such as aeronautical and marine industries, wind power, personal protective equipment. Lectra serves more than 23,000 customers in more than 100 countries with 1,500 employees and $292 million in 2008 revenues. The company is listed on Euronext Paris.For more information, please visit www.lectra.com. 

® Vector is a registered trademark of Lectra.