Vero International Acquires SMIRTware, Inc.

Innovative products to complement Vero�s suite of software offerings.

BINGHAM FARMS, MI: September 9, 2005 � Vero International, a leading supplier of CAD/CAM software for the mold and die sector, announces that it has successfully acquired SMIRTware, Inc., a US-based company that develops and licenses die design software for the automotive industry.

SMIRTware customers include Ford, General Motors, and Chrysler in North America, as well as Fiat in Italy and Volvo in Sweden. SMIRTware products are powerful viewing software designed explicitly for the die build stamping industry. SMIRTware products provide a highly productive approach to designing and machining large metal stamping dies in a way that empowers shop floor personnel to implement these complex tools with greater speed and accuracy. Their product range includes SMIRTDieNC, a highly intuitive CAM package, and SMIRTDieShop, an excellent interpretation and visualization tool for importing CATIA, UG, and I-DEAS design models.

Fostering a synergistic business relationship between SMIRTware, located in Wixom, MI, in close proximity to Vero�s US-based offices, is the expected outcome of the acquisition. According to Don Babbs, Chief Executive of VI Group (the UK-based Vero International holding company), �Since SMIRTware products are developed in the US, we feel we have a definite advantage to aggressively provide a complementary and broad suite of tools for all our customers worldwide.�

Vero�s VISI-Series software offers a combination of applications including fully integrated wire-frame, surface and solid modeling, comprehensive 2D and 3D machining strategies with high speed routines, 2 and 4-axis EDM, and dedicated tools for plastic injection molds and progressive dies.

Babbs adds, �This exciting acquisition is directly in line with the strategy to concentrate on the mold and die sector while broadening our product range. SMIRTware has been highly successful in selling their advanced software to the world�s largest automotive companies and we believe this strategy is an encouraging opportunity for us to extend this technology to other regions and technical markets.�

Gerald Hicks, President of SMIRTware, says, �This transaction enables SMIRTware to move to the next phase of its expansion plan as Vero International will provide the necessary distribution experience together with an enhanced sales and technical support structure to market our products on a worldwide basis.�

About Vero International

Headquartered in England, Vero International designs, develops, and supplies CAD and CAM software that radically enhances the efficiency of design and manufacturing processes. It is a leading supplier within key sectors of the CAD/CAM industry such as plastic injection molds and progressive dies, providing its customers with exceptional value through high productivity gains and significantly reducing time to market. Vero International is represented in over 40 countries by more than 80 distributors. In addition to its extensive dealer network, it has its own direct sales operations in the USA, Canada, UK, France, Italy, China, and Japan. The company has more than 18,000 customers worldwide. 

www.veroint.com

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