History

40 years of CAD/CAM software to help optimize production

1979, creation of Alma: Researchers in Applied Mathematics design the first automatic nesting software to save on raw material when cutting textile, metal sheets, etc.

Alma quickly develops in the field of software piloting cutting and sheet-metal working machines. In 1996, the Group extends its activity to robot off-line programming for arc welding and 3D-cutting.

From Shanghai to Porto Alegre, Alma’s software is today widely marketed worldwideand recognized for its optimization capacity and innovative functionalities. Within 40 years, Alma has become a major CAD/CAM software house, present in many countries.

1979

Creation of Alma.

1980-82

Participation in several industrial processes optimization projects.

1983

The Chantiers de l’Atlantique choose RIMBAUD, Alma’s automatic nesting software and helped launch Alma in the market of sheet-metal working.

alma-rimbaud-nesting-software

1987

First sales in Europe (Italy, Benelux, Germany).

1990

Creation of the Italian subsidiary in Turin.

1994

Alma inaugurates the premises of its new headquarters in Saint-Martin-d’Hères (Grenoble).

1996

Buyout of Aleph Technologies: Alma extends its CAD/CAM activity to robot programming.

1999

Creation of Alma GmbH, the German subsidiary to market CAD/CAM software in Germany, Switzerland and Austria.

1999

Alma opens an office in Nantes, France.

1999

Launch of act/cut, Alma’s new generation Microsoft Windows programming software.

2000-01

Signature of distribution agreements for CAD/CAM software in Japan and Korea.

alma-act-tube

2001

Launch of act/tubes, Alma’s software for programming tube-cutting machines and robots.

2002

Acquisition of Sapex, and Group Alma becomes the French leader of sheet-metal working CAD/CAM.

2005-07

New distribution agreements for CAD/CAM software (Canada, Poland, India etc.)

2007

Alma establishes itself in China with the creation of a subsidiary in Shanghai.

Porto Alegre

2009

Alma establishes itself in Brazil with the creation of a subsidiary in Porto Alegre.

2010

Alma establishes itself in the United-States with the creation of a subsidiary in Chicago.

2012-13

New distribution agreement for CAD/CAM software (Benelux, Turkey, Singapore, Argentina, Chile, etc.)

almacam

2014

Launch of Almacam, Alma’s new generation sheet metal CAM software.

2015

Alma establishes itself in Spain (Irun, Basque).

2015

Alma opens a representation office in Singapore.

2016-17

New distribution agreement for CAD/CAM software (Vietnam, Japan, New-Zealand, Malaysia, etc.).

2017

Acquisition of German CAD/CAM maker ASCO DATA based in Bremen.

alma-nestandcut

2018

Launch of Nest&Cut, web-based automatic nesting software.

2019

While celebrating its 40th anniversary, Alma is resolutely investing in the industry of the future.