RIB Software

RIB Software is a German construction technology and enterprise software brand headquartered in Stuttgart. Its products serve the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) sector, combining building information modeling (BIM), estimating, tendering, cost control, project management, collaboration, business intelligence and construction-site workflows. The company operates through subsidiaries and branches across Europe, the Middle East and Africa, Asia-Pacific and North America, and has maintained an international presence of more than 20 branches. The company was established in 1961 by Volker Hahn, Fritz Leonhardt, F. W. Bornscheuer and six other employees. Its early work focused on applying electronic data processing to structural engineering. Using an IBM 1620, RIB developed computational methods for structural analysis, helping introduce systematic computer use into parts of the German construction industry. During the late 1960s and 1970s, the company expanded into road visibility calculations, automated technical drawing, tunneling, hydraulic engineering and finite-element analysis for structural components such as plates, discs and folded structures. A major early commercial step came in 1979 with the launch of IDEALOG, a program system for AVA processes and cost estimation. The system was used by public construction administrations at federal and state levels in Germany. RIB subsequently broadened its software portfolio to include tendering, awarding, accounting, calculation and construction management, moving beyond specialist structural analysis toward integrated construction information systems. Internationalization accelerated in the 2000s. RIB established an international research and development center in Guangzhou in 2004 and opened multiple regional offices between 2009 and 2010 in the United States, mainland China, Dubai, India, Singapore, Australia and Hong Kong. Its iTWO platform was introduced in German in 2009, followed by English and Simplified Chinese versions in 2010. iTWO became a central expression of RIB's strategy to connect BIM, cost planning, construction scheduling, project control and enterprise processes in a common digital environment. RIB became a publicly traded company when its shares entered the Prime Standard of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange on 8 February 2011. The company used acquisitions and partnerships to add estimating, collaboration, cloud, specification, business intelligence and regional construction-software capabilities. Notable transactions included MC², ProjectCentre, U.S.COST, Exactal, SaaSplaza, Datapine, Construction Computer Software, SoftTech Engineers and other businesses serving construction and engineering markets. In 2017, RIB converted from a German stock corporation into a European Company and adopted the legal name RIB Software SE. It also developed MTWO, a cloud-oriented construction technology initiative announced with Microsoft in 2018. The MTWO concept extended RIB's integrated platform strategy toward cloud deployment and Microsoft technology. In 2020, Schneider Electric announced a public takeover offer for RIB at €29 per share, valuing the company at approximately €1.4 billion according to the cited reference material. RIB subsequently became a Schneider Electric subsidiary. The brand remains associated with construction software, BIM-enabled workflows and digital transformation across the global AEC industry.

RIB Software began in Stuttgart in 1961, when Volker Hahn, Fritz Leonhardt, F. W. Bornscheuer and six other employees founded a company devoted to applying electronic data processing to structural engineering. Its initial computing work used an IBM 1620 and addressed the systematic calculation of structural problems, an early application of digital methods in the German construction sector. Between 1968 and 1978, RIB expanded from structural calculations into broader civil and infrastructure engineering. It developed software for calculating visibility on planned roads and extended automated drawing methods to tunneling and hydraulic engineering. The company also applied finite-element methods to plates, discs and folded structures. These activities established a technical base spanning structural design, civil engineering and computational analysis. In 1979, RIB introduced IDEALOG, its first major program system for AVA processes and cost estimation. The product was used by public construction administrations at German federal and state levels. Over time, RIB added functions for tendering, awarding, accounting, calculation and construction management. This broadened the business from specialist engineering software into a more comprehensive construction information and administration platform. RIB's international expansion became more pronounced during the 2000s. It opened an international research and development center in Guangzhou in 2004. Around 2009 and 2010, it established ten additional regional offices, including locations in the United States, mainland China, Dubai, India, Singapore, Australia and Hong Kong. The company launched the German version of iTWO in October 2009, followed by English in April 2010 and Simplified Chinese in July 2010. iTWO represented RIB's effort to integrate BIM, estimating, scheduling, cost management and construction control. RIB entered the Frankfurt Stock Exchange's Prime Standard on 8 February 2011. From 2012 onward, it pursued an acquisition-led expansion that added estimating, project management, Microsoft Dynamics expertise, cloud services, specification data, business intelligence and regional construction technology. Transactions included MC² in the United States, ProjectCentre in Australia, U.S.COST, Cosinus Informationssysteme, Docia, Iceprice, Soft SA, Exactal, SaaSplaza, Datengut, Cadline, BSD, Construction Computer Software, Capricot, Datapine and SoftTech Engineers. RIB also made investments in Winjit, VIM AEC and Bochaosoft. The company hosted its first iTWO World Conference in Hong Kong in November 2013. The event became an annual gathering associated with the iTWO user and partner community. In April 2017, RIB completed its conversion into a Societas Europaea and began operating under the name RIB Software SE. RIB continued its cloud and platform strategy through MTWO. In April 2018, RIB and Microsoft announced a proof-of-concept collaboration for MTWO at a signing ceremony in Hong Kong. The initiative connected RIB's construction software capabilities with Microsoft's cloud and technology ecosystem. In 2020, Schneider Electric announced a complete public takeover transaction for RIB, offering €29 per share and valuing the company at approximately €1.4 billion according to the cited reference material. RIB became a subsidiary of Schneider Electric. The business continues to be identified with construction software and BIM-enabled digital workflows, with operations and subsidiaries serving customers across EMEA, APAC and North America.

1. 2020Schneider Electric takeover

   Schneider Electric announces a public offer for RIB at €29 per share, after which RIB becomes a Schneider Electric subsidiary.

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2. 2018MTWO collaboration with Microsoft announced

   RIB and Microsoft announce a proof-of-concept collaboration for the MTWO cloud construction platform.

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3. 2017Conversion to a European Company

   RIB completes its conversion into a Societas Europaea and adopts the name RIB Software SE.

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4. 2013First iTWO World Conference

   RIB holds the first iTWO World Conference in Hong Kong, creating an annual event for the iTWO community.

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5. 2011Frankfurt stock-market listing

   RIB Software AG shares are admitted to the Prime Standard of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange.

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6. 2010iTWO expands into English and Simplified Chinese

   English and Simplified Chinese versions of iTWO are released, supporting the company's international growth.

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7. 2009German iTWO version introduced

   RIB introduces the German-language version of its iTWO construction platform.

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8. 2004International research center opens in Guangzhou

   RIB establishes an international research and development center in Guangzhou, China.

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9. 1979Launch of IDEALOG

   RIB launches IDEALOG for AVA processes and cost estimation, gaining use among German federal and state construction administrations.

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10. 1968Expansion into infrastructure and structural design

    RIB develops road-visibility calculations and extends automated drawing and computational engineering into tunneling, hydraulic engineering and structural analysis.

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11. 1961RIB is founded in Stuttgart

    Volker Hahn, Fritz Leonhardt, F. W. Bornscheuer and six other employees establish RIB to apply electronic data processing to structural engineering.

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An integrated construction technology provider focused on BIM, estimating, cost control, project delivery, collaboration and enterprise digitization for the AEC industry.

• RIB iTWOIntegrated construction and enterprise platform2009

  RIB iTWO is an integrated construction software platform associated with BIM, estimating, scheduling, cost management, tendering, project control and enterprise workflows. It was introduced in German, English and Simplified Chinese versions during 2009 and 2010 and became a central platform in RIB's international product strategy.

• RIB MTWOCloud construction platform2018

  MTWO is RIB's cloud-oriented construction technology platform, developed in connection with Microsoft's technology ecosystem. It was intended to extend integrated BIM, project management, cost and collaboration workflows through cloud deployment and enterprise-grade infrastructure.

• RIB CostXBIM quantity takeoff and estimating

  RIB CostX supports two-dimensional and BIM-based quantity takeoff and estimating. It is designed for construction cost professionals who need to extract quantities from drawings or models and connect those quantities with estimating and cost-planning processes.

• RIB CandyEstimating and project control

  RIB Candy is construction software for estimating, planning and project control. Its role in the portfolio is to support contractors and project teams in preparing estimates, planning delivery and monitoring project performance.

• RIB BuildSmartCost management and enterprise accounting

  RIB BuildSmart focuses on construction cost management and enterprise accounting. It is intended to connect financial administration with operational construction data so organizations can manage budgets, commitments, costs and project-level financial information.

• RIB CXProject management and collaboration

  RIB CX is an intelligent project-management and collaboration offering for construction organizations. It supports coordinated project information, communication and delivery workflows among owners, contractors, consultants and field teams.

• RIB CivilCivil engineering CAD

  RIB Civil provides computer-aided design and engineering capabilities for civil construction. It reflects RIB's historical focus on infrastructure, roads and structural engineering and is aimed at technical users involved in civil works design.

• RIB SpecLinkConstruction specification management

  RIB SpecLink is an intelligent, data-driven specification product for construction documentation. It helps specification professionals manage structured content and maintain project requirements through a more connected specification workflow.

• RIB BI+Business intelligence and construction analytics

  RIB BI+ provides data analytics and business-intelligence capabilities for construction and enterprise users. It is intended to turn project and operational information into reporting and management insight.

• RIB Digital HandoverDigital handover and operations data

  RIB Digital Handover supports the transfer of operations and maintenance data at the end of construction projects. It addresses the transition from project delivery into building or asset operation by organizing relevant digital information.

• 2013iTWO World Conference

  Asia-Pacific · Global

  RIB hosted the first iTWO World Conference in Hong Kong in November 2013. The event was positioned as a gathering for users and participants in the iTWO ecosystem and subsequently became an annual community event.

  Outcome. The conference established a recurring international forum associated with iTWO customers, partners and users.

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• 2020Accept Schneider Electric's public takeoverM&A

  Schneider Electric announced a complete transaction to acquire RIB Software and combine its construction technology capabilities with the French multinational's broader business.

  What changed. Schneider Electric made a public takeover offer of €29 per RIB share.

  Aftermath. RIB became a subsidiary of Schneider Electric and ceased to operate as an independent publicly listed company.

  Offer price per share and indicated transaction value. €29 per share; approximately €1.4 billion valuation (2020 takeover announcement)

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• 2018Develop MTWO with MicrosoftProduct launch

  RIB was extending its integrated construction-software model toward cloud delivery and sought to connect its products with Microsoft's technology ecosystem.

  What changed. RIB and Microsoft announced a proof-of-concept collaboration for MTWO at a signing ceremony in Hong Kong.

  Aftermath. The collaboration supported RIB's cloud-oriented construction platform strategy.

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• 2017Convert the company into a European CompanyStrategy

  RIB operated internationally and sought a legal structure consistent with its European and global footprint.

  What changed. RIB completed its conversion from a German stock corporation into a Societas Europaea and adopted the name RIB Software SE.

  Aftermath. The company continued operating under the RIB Software SE legal name until its acquisition by Schneider Electric.

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• 2011Complete an initial public offeringOther

  RIB pursued public-market access to support its growth as a construction software company.

  What changed. RIB Software AG listed its shares in the Prime Standard of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange on 8 February 2011.

  Aftermath. The company remained publicly traded until its acquisition by Schneider Electric.

  Issue price per share. €9.25 (8 February 2011)

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• 2004Establish an international R&D center in GuangzhouStrategy

  RIB sought to build international development capability while expanding its presence in Asian markets.

  What changed. The company established an international research and development center in Guangzhou, China.

  Aftermath. The center became part of RIB's broader international operating footprint in the APAC region.

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• 2020RIB Software announces a public takeover by Schneider Electric

  Schneider Electric announced a transaction to acquire RIB Software through a public takeover offer of €29 per share, with the cited reference material valuing RIB at approximately €1.4 billion.

  M&A
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• 2011RIB Software shares begin trading in Frankfurt Prime Standard

  RIB Software AG was listed on the Prime Standard of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange on 8 February 2011. The cited reference material gives an issue price of €9.25 per share.

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1. RIB Software
2. RIB Software corporate website