CAD

Lectra is a French technology company founded in 1973 by two engineers Jean and Bernard Etcheparre. The company’s headquarters is based in Paris, France and it is a publicly-traded company. Lectra is known for bringing digitalized transformation into the world of fashion and apparel and more than that. And, what place could have been better than starting the business in Paris and entering the fashion market. Lectra mainly specializes in CAD software and CAM cutting-room systems. It offers software, hardware, as well as consulting services.

About Lectra

Lectra, with its technology, empowers the companies in the fashion and apparel industry, companies that design car interiors, furniture, etc. The products and services of the company assist in a digital transformation of multiple steps from designing to production. Recently, Company has acquired USA-based Gerber Technology, a competitor in the market.

Currently, Company has 34 subsidiaries and operates across 34 countries with 1,650 employees. It also has three international advanced technology and conference centers. Initially, Lectra used the CAD software to assist the fashion manufacturing industry because their technology was compatible with those using soft materials like leather but it has evolved in the last three decades.

History of Lectra

The history of Lectra started in 1973 when the two engineers founded the company. Their initial target was to enter the fashion and apparel industry and boost their designing process with the help of technology. In 1976, the company was successfully able to develop the first CAD software for apparel making. Soon the two founders met the venture capitalist, André Harari, and he helped in raising the capital Lectra needed to implement a proper business development plan.

In the next decade, i.e., the 1980s, Company expanded to international markets. Lectra’s first foreign subsidiary was established in Germany followed by the UK, Italy, Spain, and finally in the US. Till now the company only used CAD for its software products but in 1985 it expanded into computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) in the fashion industry. In the same year, Company was recognized as the topmost company across the globe in fashion CAD.

After becoming a leading fashion technology provider in both CAD and CAM, the company decided to go public and filed its first IPO in 1987. Unfortunately, the company faced some financial troubles during the early 1990s, and it was recapitalized by Daniel and André Harari. After its recapitalization, Lectra extensively invested in R&D for its every product range and in 1995 rolled out its first product data management (PDM). Between 1996-1998, Lectra made a breakthrough in pattern making and grading, and also pattern fabric matching cut management (Mosaic).

Lectra in 21st century

Lectra entered into the 21st century as the famous global leader in fashion CAD and CAM. It launched many new products and services in the next ten years like Lectra Fashion PLM, 3D prototyping, and IoT-based preventive maintenance services. Eventually, Company entered the automotive industry and topped the list in automotive CAM. It also made several changes in its core software and 2012 added predictive maintenance in its software.

In 2014, Lectra established a partnership with ESCP Europe to establish a chair in Fashion and Technology for its luxury innovation research. And, after a few years, Lectra joined hands with a few other companies to launch the Biarritz Active Lifestyle Integral (BALI) Chair. With Lectra being a company with a unique perspective in the 1970s, it is still a global provider in its sector. The company has been the recipient of several awards and recognitions that include winning the Showcase for the Industry of Future Alliance from the Industry of Future Alliance. The company has recently acquired Kubix Lab, an Italian company in 2018, and Gerber Technology, an American company in 2021.

Daniel Harari – CEO of Lectra

Daniel Harari became the CEO and Chairman of Lectra in 1991. Before that, he has served in various companies in executive positions and also as the CEO. He started his career by joining an asset management company as its Vice President. Daniel also served as the CEO of Compagnie Financière du Scribe, a venture capital firm based in Paris.