Translations.com and Alchemy Software Announce Merger

Translations.com, a provider of software services and enterprise wide visual localisation technology, has merged with the Irish visual localisation service provider, Alchemy Software Development

Computer Business Review - March 6, 2008

Though the financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed, the partners said that the merger will result in the integration of their complementary technologies. Translations.com has designed and developed GlobalLink technology suite, a range of software products based on a globalisation management system (GMS) that help in making translation workflows more efficient for corporate customers.

Alchemy develops and markets its flagship product, Catalyst, a visual localisation environment, which enables streamlining of the software localisation process, and Alchemy Language Exchange, a web-enabled translation memory server application that enables customers to maximise cost and time efficiencies in the translation process. The company says that it has sold more than 20,000 licences for Catalyst. Its customer list includes companies such as Siemens, Corel, Philips, Canon and Oracle.

Phil Shawe, president and CEO, Translations.com, said: "Alchemy's profitable and proven business model, wealth of technology talent and growth-oriented management team make them an ideal merger partner. Having been an Alchemy customer for over five years, we have first-hand experience with how effectively Alchemy Catalyst technology streamlines the localisation process. We are committed to building on Alchemy's success and to investing in future Alchemy software product offerings."

Under the terms of the agreement, Alchemy, which is to operate as a division of Translations.com, will continue to be headed by Tony O'Dowd, the current president and CEO and co-founder of the company. Enda McDonnell, another co-founder, will retain his position as the director of engineering, Alchemy. The two Alchemy executives will join Translations.com's senior management team. The partners have said that they do not intend to reduce the staff.

Tony O'Dowd, CEO and president, Alchemy, said: "The combination of our technology with Translations.com's existing GMS product suite, GlobalLink, will enable our clients to achieve greater levels of efficiency and scalability in their localisation processes. Further, Translations.com's track record of executing successful industry mergers that not only retain virtually 100% of their staff and customers, but also allow incoming entrepreneurs to continue to operate their divisions autonomously, helped us to solidify our decision to merge."