Trimble buys Trade Service to build out content in stable of estimating products

Trade Service Co., San Diego, has been acquired by Trimble, Sunnyvale, Calif., a big name in the project management software, estimating systems and related tools for the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) market. The company owns Accubid estimating software in the electrical market; QuickPen and AutoBid estimating software for the plumbing market; and is a $2 billion publicly held company with 7,000 employees.

Bryn Fosburgh, Trimble vice president, said in the press release announcing the acquisition,  "Real-time specification and pricing information are key elements to the construction bidding process as well as the overall building construction lifecycle. Tightly integrating Trade Service data into Trimble's estimating solutions as well as using the information to extend the value of BIM data to the owner is a strategic goal of connecting key workflows across the design, build and operate continuum."

Electrical Marketing will be reporting on this story in this week's issue, but if you want some details now, here is the link to the press release on the Trimble website.