Premier Farnell announces that it has bought the entire issued share capital of CadSoft Computer GmbH, a leading developer and supplier of specialist computer aided design (CAD) software for design engineers and the business of CadSoft Computer Inc., in the US.

CadSoft has operated for 20 years in its chosen market and, during that time, has provided its CAD software, known as EAGLE, to over 40,000 design engineers, throughout Europe and the USA building a strong reputation.

Harriet Green said "We are excited by the opportunity this acquisition affords us to attract new design engineering customers as we offer them access to industry leading software and our outstanding range of products and support. The EAGLE software will enable us to facilitate design exchange between engineers through element14, our design community, which when combined with our leading edge transactional websites offers customers a complete online solution to their purchasing and design needs".

The shares of CadSoft Computer GmbH are being acquired from its two founders, who developed the EAGLE pcb and who will remain with the business for agreed time periods as part of the integration with Premier Farnell.