SDL plc

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SDL
TypePublic
LSE: SDL
IndustryComputer software
Professional services
Language localization
Component content management
Digital asset management
Founded1992
HeadquartersMaidenhead, UK
Key people
Adolfo Hernandez (chief executive officer)
Revenue£376.3 million (2019)[1]
£29.7 million (2019)[1]
£19.6 million (2019)[1]
Number of employees
4,242 (2019)[1]
Websitewww.sdl.com

SDL plc was a multinational professional services company headquartered in Maidenhead, United Kingdom. SDL specialized in language translation software and services (including interpretation services). SDL is an abbreviation for "Software and Documentation Localization".[2][3] It was listed on the London Stock Exchange until it was acquired by RWS Group in November 2020.

History[]

The company was founded by Mark Lancaster with nine employees in 1992. It opened its first overseas office in France in 1996[4] and was first listed on the London Stock Exchange in 1999.[4] The company grew organically via acquisitions. SDL acquired Polylang Multimedia in 1998, International Translation & Publishing (ITP) in 2000, Alpnet in 2001, and the machine translation (MT) assets of Transparent Language in 2001. It bought Trados, a rival translation memory (TM) developer, in 2005.[5] In 2007, the company acquired Tridion, a content management system vendor,[6] and PASS Engineering, developers of PASSOLO software.[7]

In 2008, it bought Idiom Technologies, a global information system management business.[8] In July 2009 SDL acquired XyEnterprise in an all-cash transaction to add XML Professional Publisher as well as Contenta content management software and LiveContent to manage and deliver XML. This unit combined with Trisoft formerly Infoshare.[9] In December 2009, SDL acquired Fredhopper, a Dutch eCommerce onsite search and navigation, onsite targeting and targeted advertising software vendor.[10] Later that same year, it bought Xopus, another Dutch company and the leader in online XML editing.[11] In May 2011 SDL acquired Dutch-based Media Asset Management company, Calamares,[12] in 2012 the campaign management and social media analytics company, Alterian,[13] and in 2013, Bemoko, a supplier of internet software for mobile devices.[14]

In January 2016, having undertaken a strategic review, SDL announced the divestment of Fredhopper and Alterian as non-complementary to its new strategy.[15]

In August 2020 RWS Group announced a proposed takeover of the company for £809 million.[16] The transaction was completed on 4 November 2020.[17]

Operations[]

SDL provided software for language translation purposes.[18]

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b c d "Annual Report 2019" (PDF). SDL plc. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  2. ^ "What is the acronym of "SDL" in SDL Tridion". Retrieved 20 March 2015.
  3. ^ Rogers, Bruce. "SDL's Acquisitions Build Marketing Tech Stack of the Future". Retrieved 23 August 2015.
  4. ^ Jump up to: a b SDL International: History Archived December 10, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  5. ^ SDL buys Trados Columbus Translation Blog, 20 June 2015
  6. ^ Real Story Group: SDL acquires Tridion Real Story Group, 24 April 2007
  7. ^ PASSOLO goes SDL Tekom, May 2007
  8. ^ SDL buys again picking up Idiom Archived 2009-12-14 at the Wayback Machine Real Story Group, 11 February 2008
  9. ^ SDL acquires XyEnterprise, KMWorld 2009
  10. ^ Company Overview of Fredhopper Ltd., Businessweek
  11. ^ SDL acquires XML editor Xopus Real Story Group, 6 July 2010
  12. ^ SDL Acquires DAM Vendor Calamares: Start Of The Convergence Of WCM & DAM? DAM News, 5 May 2011
  13. ^ SDL to buy Alterian after raising bid The Independent, 3 December 2011
  14. ^ SDL plc Acquisition of bemoko Archived February 24, 2015, at the Wayback Machine
  15. ^ "SDL Announces Major Strategy Shift, Puts Units Up For Sale". 21 January 2016. Retrieved 21 January 2016.
  16. ^ "RWS adds translation software to the portfolio with £809m SDL deal". 27 August 2020.
  17. ^ "Update on All-Share Combination" (PDF). RWS. 4 November 2020. Retrieved 4 November 2020.
  18. ^ SDL offices around the globe
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