Infor acquires Lilly Software

Renamed Infor Global Solutions (formerly Agilisys, which acquired European ERP systems developer Infor Business Solutions earlier this year) has bought US discrete manufacturing ERP systems developer Lilly Software Associates. Lilly is to join Infor’s discrete manufacturing group, headed internationally by Robin Pederson, senior vice president of Infor, and for the time being will continue to operate in its existing locations. Both Infor and Lilly are privately held companies. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Infor says it will continue to develop Lilly’s technology, and in particular its Visual Enterprise ERP system and associated, recently launched modules. “Lilly’s customers will benefit from Infor’s deep focus on discrete manufacturing, global reach and financial strength, while gaining a long-term partner committed to long-term investment in product development,” says Pederson. Infor has made no secret of its intention to grow the company rapidly through acquisition. In that sense, it shares much of the drive and ambition of SSA Global. With Lilly now in the fold, Infor claims around 16,000 customers in a range of manufacturing and distribution industries, and can now boast additional expertise in the discrete manufacturing market – not least with Lilly’s heritage in early MRP and more latterly lean thinking and Theory of Constraints applications. “I am extremely enthusiastic about the acquisition of Lilly,” says Jim Schaper, chairman and CEO of Infor – as well he might be. “Infor is already recognised as one of the largest providers of solutions to discrete manufacturers in Europe. This acquisition, combined with our existing presence in the North American automotive market, further expands our footprint while broadening our vertical market focus in the aerospace, defence and electronics industries among others.”