Effective July 1st, 1999, all shares of Bullmer Spezialmaschinen GmbH in Mehrstetten, Germany has been acquired by assyst Automation Software and Systems GmbH of Kirchheim / Munich, Germany from Bullmer´s sole parent, G.M. Pfaff AG.

Bullmer manufactures special machinery, particularly NC-Cutting Systems, for the cutting room in the clothing, upholstery and automobile industry and for general sewn goods applications.

assyst was founded in 1985 in Kirchheim and develops, manufactures and sells CAD and PDM/Workflow-systems for soft goods manufacturing applications.

The systems of Bullmer, especially NC-controlled cutting systems, are processing data which is generated by the assyst CAD software.

Bullmer and assyst are among the leading high-tech suppliers in the soft goods CAD/CAM field and look back on a successful cooperation since 1990.

The customers of assyst and Bullmer rank from small and medium size companies to the largest and most important international enterprises in the soft goods industries.

By the merger of assyst and Bullmer, a new German CAD/CAM technology enterprise is created, which already today holds a prominent position among the market leaders.

The new company is going to realize significant synergy effects, especially in the area of technical development and marketing & sales.

assyst and Bullmer´s customers will enjoy the advantage of being able to source their entire CAD/CAM/PDM and Workflow equipment for soft goods manufacturing automation from a single supplier.

Pfaff has expressed their intention to continue the former sales activities with assyst and Bullmer in an extended and intesified way.

Bullmer Spezialmaschinen GmbH will continue to operate in their facilities in Mehrstetten without any changes.

assyst´s and Bullmer´s combined revenue places them in close proximity to their competitors.

Kichheim / Mehrstetten, 25th June 99