CAMBRIDGE, U.K., September 18, 2001 — Cambridge Animation Systems, developer of Animo 2D software used by more than 3,000 animators worldwide, has been purchased from Japanese investment bank Nomura by a digital media consortium that includes an original founder of the company. The new owners are moving the company to a new and larger facility in Cambridge.
Over the past 18 months a new management team placed in the company by Nomura has completely reorganized Cambridge Animation Systems. The new management expanded Cambridge’s line of products and set up a growing reseller network worldwide. The restructuring of the business and the promise of growth made the company an attractive investment, according to Peter Florence, leader of the purchasing consortium and a founder of Cambridge Animation Systems in 1990.
“The company has dramatically accelerated its product pipeline to meet customers’ needs,” says Florence. “Our focus is on delivering great products such as Animo for Mac on time and bringing new products to market as quickly as possible. As a founder of this company, I know the product, people and market. I feel strongly that we are on the right path to guarantee that Cambridge Animation Systems will continue to be the leader in the 2D animation market.”
Moving to new facilities in Cambridge Research Park will enable the company to continue its aggressive new product development. This year Cambridge has released a new version of its Inkworks 3D cartoon rendering program, new software called Swiffworks that delivers Macromedia Flash output to 3D animators, and Animo 4, a major upgrade of the company’s flagship software.
“With Animo 4.0 for Mac OS X due out next month, and a number of other products scheduled for release by early 2002, it was imperative that we move the company to larger, superior facilities,” says Florence. “This will allow us to expand quickly once the market recovers from this period of consolidation.”
