PRIME Aerostructures is based in Vienna, Austria, strategically located at the IST Park. The simulation pieces play a major role in this and are used to solve problems, design and performance optimization in areas such as structural mechanics, flow simulation, multi-body simulation and electromagnetism.
The engineers at PRIME Aerostructures also have an interesting track record and have been involved in several of the market’s most prestigious aerospace programs. Among other things, they have developed composite and metal components for aircraft such as a number of Airbus models, from the A330 to the A380. The same goes for Boeing’s 737 to 787 models. On the space side, they have also been involved in projects such as ARTEMIS and ARIANE 5 (VINCI Cardan). They are currently developing composite structures for the next generation of turboprop aircraft.
Hence, it is a highly qualified company that has taken its place in TECHNIA, after Addnode Group’s takeover and an acquisition that consolidates and broadens the company’s position as one of the market’s leading suppliers of digital simulation within the Dassault sphere.
”Best-in-class simulation tools”
Moreover, the acquisition fits well into TECHNIA’s PLM approach, where building a strong simulation team is one of the priorities of CEO, Magnus Falkman.
In th area of simulation and analysis PRIME Aerostructures’ expert team uses what it describes as, ”best-in-class simulation tools to increase creativity throughout the product lifecycle and transform innovative ideas into concrete, quality-driven solutions.” This includes careful analysis, from material selection to comprehensive problem solving, with the emphasis on Dassault’s digital simulation tools in the SIMULIA suite. Good examples of such tools are, for example, the FEA (Finite Element Analysis) software Abaqus, Simulia X-flow for CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) or CST Studio for electromagnetic studies.
Project management is also a core service offered and all engineering activities are supported by, “clear and consistent communication with both technical and commercial contact points within the corporate customers’ organizations.”
However, as mentioned, this Dassault Systèmes partner is primarily specialized in advanced aerostructures. In this, PRIME uses state-of-the-art technologies and materials such as additive manufacturing, composites and simulations, and the services cover the entire product lifecycle, from concept to production and certification. PRIME is known for pushing technical boundaries and developing lightweight, high-performance components that improve aircraft efficiency and safety.
Tough on the German market in 2024, but better in the Nordics, the UK and France
An Addnode Group backdrop is that its subsidiaries are organized into three divisions: Design Management (with Symetri as the lead subsidiary), Product Lifecycle Management (TECHNIA) and Process Management (Ida Infront).
Addnode’s PLM leg in Germany accounted for ten percent of the Group’s net sales in 2024. An observation of some significance is that the entire German-speaking market has actually had to contend with cyclical effects and that this is expected to be a tough market in 2025 as well.
In the year-end report, the Group’s President and CEO, Johan Andersson, writes that, ”the Product Lifecycle Management division has had continued stable sales overall, but sales in Germany have been affected by lower demand from the automotive industry. At the same time, we see an increase in sales to customers in the defense industry.” But also noted in the year-end report is a couple of more positive business results: ”In the Product Lifecycle Management division, sales of PLM systems and associated services have been good in the UK, France and the Nordics.”
