San Jose, California-based Cadence Design Systems Inc’s Japanese subsidiary has signed an agreement to acquire CIC Inc, a joint venture between Innotech and C Itoh Technosciences, which acts as Cadence’s Japanese distributor of system design software. C Itoh will take a minority interest in Cadence KK and provide the Japanese arm with marketing support in system design software. Financial terms are not disclosed. Electronic News reports that, with the acquisition, Cadence will have two direct sales forces in Japan, Cadence KK and Nippon Valid KK, due to its recent acquisition of Valid Logic Systems Inc. Cadence is also using KEL to distribute analogue systems design software, while Innotech will continue to distribute IC design software in Japan. Cadence KK president Jan Goodsell – an apt name – told the US weekly that the planned acquisition substantially strengthens (Cadence’s) ability to support customers in Japan, adding that it will greatly expand (the company’s) opportunities in the systems design area. Cadence’s combined direct sales force in Japan will, as a result of the merger, total over 100. Cadence also recently signed a consultancy pact with Sony Corp.
