TMCnet News
Thomas Industrial Network Buys Technology to Help Manufacturers Convert More Engineers into Customers NEW YORK --(Business Wire)-- Aug. 26, 2004 -- Thomas Industrial Network (SM), Inc., a leading online provider of internet sourcing and marketing solutions for industrial buyers and sellers, today announced that it has agreed to acquire the assets of Web2CAD AG, based in Amberg, Germany. Until now, Web2CAD AG was Thomas Industrial Network's technology partner for the creation of sophisticated and detailed product information including 2D CAD drawings and 3D solid models that can be used by manufacturers.Owning the technology allows Thomas to continually improve its CAD publishing capabilities. And, importantly, it offers manufacturers a cost-efficient alternative to time-consuming and costly methods now required to respond to individual requests for product specifications and drawings, as well as maintaining those drawings in a variety of formats. "We're committed to helping industrial suppliers make their detailed product information available to engineers and buyers," said Peter Mooney, Product Manager for Thomas Industrial Network's Content Solutions Group. "More than ever, engineers, designers and architects are sourcing online for specific product information. Our research shows that when products get specified, they get bought 80% percent of the time." With over 20 million drawings available on specific parts, Thomas is the largest and most comprehensive resource available today. More than 50,000 drawings a month are currently being downloaded from CadRegister.com(TM) alone, demonstrating the growing demand for online drawings in the industrial market. The newly acquired CAD technology combined with Thomas' current online catalog offering - Catalog Navigator(SM) - provides its industrial customers with competitive advantages over suppliers with Web sites that contain less detailed product information. Thomas helps suppliers drive traffic to their Web sites by offering effective ways to convert qualified visitors into customers; giving buyers exactly what they want (advanced search, detailed product specs, 2D and 3D drawings). "We're delighted that Thomas now owns the technology development and production capability that we use to publish our product information. Our customers have come to rely on our ability to provide them with detailed product information instantaneously instead of having to email or call us for 3D models of our products," said Michael Sprague, eBusiness Manager, Swagelok. "Thomas was the logical company to acquire our technology," said Dr. Ampferl, representing web2CAD AG. "Thomas' expertise in the industrial marketplace supported by our technology can only help manufacturers who want to sell more of their products to engineers by giving them access to detailed products/specs." The purchase includes technology assets, a development team, and production facility used to create and publish CAD solutions for Thomas's customers - manufacturers who want their product drawings available for download by engineers throughout Thomas's distribution channels including its Web site - www.ThomasNet.com, its Web site www.CADRegister.com, and its CD-ROM products: PartSpec,(R) PlantSpec(R) and CADBlocks(R) with a distribution of over 125,000 CDs to qualified registered users. ABOUT THOMASNET.COM(TM) AND CADREGISTER.COM(TM) ThomasNet.com(TM), powered by Thomas Register(R) and Thomas Regional(R), brings together industrial buyers and suppliers on a national, regional, and local level. For industrial buyers, ThomasNet.com(TM) is an industrial search engine that provides one source for finding the exact product, service, or supplier they need - at the exact time they need it. ThomasNet.com(TM) also gives buyers direct access to the detailed information they need to make a purchasing or specifying decision, including line-item product details, CAD drawings, and more. For industrial suppliers, ThomasNet.com(TM) is a leading provider of Internet marketing solutions. The company helps suppliers grow their business online by driving qualified industrial traffic to their Websites, and converting that traffic into customers. Thomas' complete range of online catalog, e-commerce, and CAD solutions help suppliers deliver the detailed information buyers expect. CADRegister.com(TM) (www.CADRegister.com), allows engineers, designers and architects to download and generate hundreds of millions of CAD drawings based on user specifications and can be easily inserted into all major CAD systems in an online or CD-ROM format. The site, also available through Thomasnet.com(TM), includes three extensive libraries of CAD drawings and product information on mechanical and electrical parts, plant-design components and building products. ThomasNet.com(TM) is brought to you by Thomas Industrial Network, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Thomas Publishing Company, LLC. Thomas has been connecting industrial buyers and suppliers for over 100 years. Headquartered in New York, NY, ThomasNet.com(TM) has regional sales reps throughout the U.S. |
