Graphisoft acquires its Australian and New Zealand distributors

Hungary-based Graphisoft has announced it is acquiring its long-term distributor partners, Graphisoft Australia and Central Innovation New Zealand, from Central Innovation. The goal is to deepen its customer relationships and expand its direct presence in the Pacific region.

A Direct Presence

By acquiring these distributor companies, Graphisoft gains the assets it needs to operate directly in the region, serving its customers in two critical BIM markets, whilst also delivering direct customer support as the company rolls out an expanded product line.

“By welcoming our Australian and New Zealand distributors into the Graphisoft family, we accelerate growth, strengthen customer relationships, and deepen our long-term commitment to both markets,” said Daniel Csillag, CEO, Graphisoft. “The Central Innovation team brings over 30 years of market expertise, strong customer relationships, and deep insight into user expectations, further enriching our global experience and strengthening our presence in the Pacific region,” Csillag added.

Graphisoft acquires its Australian and New Zealand distributors. See our Analysis section below for more info.

“We’re proud of the progress we’ve made in expanding BIM adoption across Australia and New Zealand, and we’re confident our customers will benefit significantly from Graphisoft’s hands-on approach to support and services, as well as its long-term vision for the AEC industry,” said Shannon Reshno, COO, Central Innovation.

Continuity

Graphisoft’s customers in Australia and New Zealand will continue to work with the same teams they already know and trust, and these organizations become part of Graphisoft’s global organization.

For more information, visit graphisoft.com/en-au in Australia, and graphisoft.com/en-nz in New Zealand.

Architosh Analysis and Commentary

There has been a long-term trend in the AEC software world where makers of software are acquiring regional resellers and distributors, often after decades of running these businesses. For the reseller or distributor, this often times with retirement and provides liquidity and an exit strategy, but for the customer, it often means continuity with the teams they know and the regional teams that know their markets.

Moving to the DTC (direct-to-consumer) model can offer the regional user improved access to global resources, but in Graphisoft’s case, this aspect of providing support is likely already excellently handled by these Australian and New Zealand distributors. For Graphisoft, the channel discounts they provide to distributors and resellers are now internalized, offering improved margins. Often, the distributors of CAD and BIM software offer unique packages and incentives to move product, but the days of renewing perpetual licenses are very much in the rearview mirror. 

The acquisitions of the AEC businesses of Central Innovations include the entire AEC side of their business. We assume this includes Ci Tools, the company’s own software extension package for Archicad.

A key point to note is that parts of these businesses appear to have been acquired from Central Innovations of Australia, the parent company of Intercad & Graphisoft (Australia). Here is the announcement from Central Innovations, directly. Central Innovations focuses on both AEC and manufacturing CAD solutions. Only the AEC part of the business is acquired with capabilities beyond serving Archicad, including support and solutions for Twinmotion, Solibri, and Ci Tools. Ci Tools, is an extension toolset for Archicad sold by Central Innovationthat enhances Archicad’s core functions in areas like cabinetry, 3D roof claddings, a keynoting system, a Fitout tool, and more.