What Clipper does

Clipper is a French software company that develops and distributes an ERP-GPAO (Enterprise Resource Planning / Manufacturing Execution System) platform purpose-built for small and medium-sized industrial enterprises in the metalworking sector. Founded in 1987 and headquartered in Éguilles, France, with 101–250 employees, the company serves more than 2,000 customers and 30,000 users across metallurgy, machining, sheet metal, boiler-making, precision turning, and mechanical engineering. The product is self-described as the only ERP-GPAO entirely dedicated to the metalworking industry, with verticalized functionality for scrap/chute management, dimensional material calculations, technical configurators, finite-capacity scheduling, and CAD/CAM interoperability — all built and maintained internally without intermediary partners.

The platform follows a core-plus-modules architecture: the Clipper ERP-GPAO core is complemented by modules for commercial management and quoting, purchasing and inventory, production management, maintenance and after-sales (GMAO), quality and traceability, electronic invoicing (via certified PDP), shop-floor control with mobile terminals, material and scrap valorization, and CFAO/ERP interoperability through dedicated interfaces with Alma/Almacam, Radan, Amada, Trumpf, Pro First, and SolidWorks. Deployment options include Clipper Cloud (SaaS) and on-premise, with mobile workshop access via Android terminals. Certifications referenced include ISO 27001, SSAE 18, and ISAE 3402 compliance for e-invoicing infrastructure.

Clipper operates as a product line under the Forterro group, a European industrial software provider serving more than 25,000 companies and owned by PE firm Chelton. Revenue is generated through three streams: subscription/perpetual software licensing (quote-based, modular, scaling with users and modules), implementation and consulting services delivered by industry-expert consultants, and recurring annual support contracts (Contrat Tranquillité). Distribution is exclusively direct via field-based consultants and inside sales covering all of France, with no resellers or marketplace channels. Go-to-market is sales-led and consultative, supplemented by content marketing, SEO, webinars, customer events, and a referral program.

Name

Clipper

Legal name

Clipper

Website

https://clipper-erp.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Manufacturing ERP Software

NAICS

Custom Computer Programming Services (541511)

SIC

Services-Computer Programming Services (7371)

akta.pro primary industry

Manufacturing ERP (Discrete, Process, Batch) (HDAEAEAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Core ERP Suites (Financials, Procurement, Projects) (HDAEAEAA)

Keywords

• ERP software solutions
• Manufacturing execution systems
• Metalworking ERP
• Production planning software
• Shop floor management

Headquarters

HQ city

Éguilles

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations

Revenue model

1. ERP software licensing (subscription/perpetual): Clipper ERP is offered as a licensed software solution. The company describes a licensing model adapted to the size and needs of the enterprise, with transparent and scalable pricing based on modules and number of users. Both cloud (SaaS) and on-premise deployment options are available, with the cloud version marketed as 'Clipper Cloud'.
2. Implementation, deployment, and consulting services: Professional services including project deployment, business process analysis, custom configuration, and training. A dedicated team of industry consultants (with production/industrial backgrounds rather than purely IT profiles) supports customers end-to-end. The company is both editor and integrator with no intermediary.
3. Annual support and maintenance contracts: Annual service contracts ('Contrat Tranquillité') that provide ongoing technical support, software updates, webinars, FAQ, e-learning, and continuous improvement. These recurring support contracts represent an ongoing revenue stream post-implementation.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Clipper develops and sells an ERP-GPAO software platform purpose-built for small and medium industrial enterprises (TPE and PME) in the metalworking sector, including metallurgy, sheet metal work, machining, turning, boiler-making, and precision mechanics. The platform covers commercial management, technical quoting, purchasing, inventory, production planning and scheduling, quality and traceability, electronic invoicing, shop-floor mobility, and CAD/CAM interoperability, available as cloud (Clipper Cloud) or on-premise deployments, sold with implementation services and annual support contracts.

Product overview

Clipper is an ERP-GPAO platform specifically designed for small and medium enterprises in the metal industry, including metallurgy, sheet metal work, turning, machining, boiler-making, and precision mechanics. The platform follows a unified core-plus-modules architecture centered on the Clipper ERP-GPAO core platform, which integrates commercial management and quotes, purchasing and inventory management, production planning and scheduling, maintenance and after-sales service, quality and traceability, electronic invoicing, shop floor control with mobility, material management with scrap valorization, and CAD/CAM interoperability through dedicated interfaces. The platform is available as Clipper Cloud (SaaS) or Clipper On-Premise deployment options, and is complemented by the Clipper Connect customer portal, the Contrat Tranquillité support package, and professional services including deployment, configuration, training, and consulting. All modules share a common database and are natively interconnected to eliminate data re-entry. The solution is published by Forterro, a European software group serving over 25,000 industrial companies.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Clipper ERP-GPAO (Core Platform) Verticalized ERP-GPAO platform purpose-built for small and medium industrial enterprises in metalworking, sheet metal work, machining, turning, boiler-making, and precision mechanics; integrates commercial quoting, production, purchasing, stocks, quality, traceability, and shop-floor operations in a single database shared across modules.
• Clipper Cloud Cloud-hosted deployment option for Clipper ERP, providing access to the full platform functionality without on-premise infrastructure, with secure data hosting and daily backups.
• Clipper On-Premise On-premise installation option for Clipper ERP, enabling customers to host the system on their own infrastructure with full data control and optional remote access.
• Clipper Connect Customer community portal providing access to support resources, training materials, FAQ, e-learning content, and a space for client collaboration and best-practice sharing.
• Contrat Tranquillité Annual service contract offering continuous technical support, software updates, priority technical assistance, and proactive monitoring to ensure system reliability and optimal performance for Clipper ERP customers.
• Clipper Implementation, Deployment, and Consulting Services End-to-end implementation services delivered by Clipper's in-house team of industry-expert consultants (with production/industrial backgrounds), including business process analysis, custom configuration, deployment, and training for new Clipper ERP customers.

Quantifiable outcome

• Production errors and re-work reduced through automated data flow from quote to workshop, eliminating manual re-entry between commercial, design, and production environments.
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers14 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration9 records

Feature9 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Alma (Almacam)coreTechnology or IntegrationClipper has a dedicated integration interface with Alma's Almacam CAD/CAM solution for sheet metal cutting. This partnership, co-developed between Alma and Clipper, enables bidirectional data exchange for optimized nesting, stock management of full and partial sheets, production order tracking, and synchronized consumption data — eliminating manual re-entry between design and production.
• RadancoreTechnology or IntegrationClipper provides a dedicated integration interface with Radan's CAD/CAM nesting software, enabling coordinated data flow for sheet metal cutting operations, inventory management, and production tracking. The integration supports optimized material consumption and automatic consumption data synchronization.
• AmadacoreTechnology or IntegrationClipper maintains a dedicated integration with Amada's CAD/CAM software for sheet metal fabrication, allowing bidirectional data exchange for nesting, production orders, stock tracking, and consumption reporting between Amada machines and the Clipper ERP system.
• TrumpfcoreTechnology or IntegrationClipper provides an integration interface with Trumpf's CAD/CAM and sheet metal fabrication systems, enabling synchronized data flow for production orders, material consumption tracking, and inventory management across Trumpf-equipped facilities.
• Pro FirstcoreTechnology or IntegrationClipper integrates with Pro First CAD/CAM solutions for sheet metal and cutting operations, providing automated data exchange for production preparation, stock management, and consumption tracking to eliminate double data entry.
• Business ObjectssupportingTechnology or IntegrationClipper partners with Business Objects for Business Intelligence capabilities, providing querying, analysis, and reporting tools within an intuitive interface. The integration enables monitoring of a large number of KPIs and automatic alerts when important events occur, allowing each manager to build indicators to track objectives.
• Visiativ PLMsupportingTechnology or IntegrationThe partnership with Visiativ PLM enables Clipper to offer enhanced Product Lifecycle Management capabilities, ensuring better management of data, documents, and operations throughout the entire product development lifecycle. Visiativ PLM provides secure sharing and distribution of technical data and documents between project stakeholders for improved responsiveness, efficiency, and speed.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• EBP: EBP is a French ERP vendor offering vertical modules (including manufacturing) targeted at French TPE/PME. It overlaps with Clipper in the same SMB customer segment with a comparable France-centric go-to-market.
• Qualiac (Aptean): Qualiac is a French industrial ERP focused on mid-market industrial and manufacturing customers, now part of Aptean. It competes head-to-head with Clipper for French metalworking and process manufacturers, including aerospace and defense.
• Sylob: Sylob is a French ERP/EDP platform purpose-built for industrial SMEs in metalworking, plastics, and mechanical subcontracting. It directly competes with Clipper for the same French TPE/PME metalworking customer base.

Broad incumbents

• Sage: Sage (Sage X3, Sage 100 Entreprise Industriel) is one of the most widely deployed ERP suites for French SMEs and mid-market manufacturers. It competes with Clipper as a broad alternative for the same manufacturing customers who do not need deep vertical specialization.
• SAP Business One: SAP Business One is SAP's mid-market ERP, frequently sold to French industrial SMEs alongside SAP partners. It represents a generalist alternative for Clipper's customers seeking broader ecosystem and international capability.
• Infor CloudSuite Industrial: Infor's CloudSuite Industrial (formerly SyteLine) is a global ERP designed for discrete manufacturers. It competes with Clipper for mid-market metalworking customers seeking a broader, cloud-native alternative.
• IFS: IFS is a global industrial ERP/EAM vendor serving asset- and manufacturing-intensive industries (aerospace, defense, industrial manufacturing). It is a competing option for French mid-market metalworking customers, especially those serving aerospace primes.
• Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central: Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central is a mainstream mid-market ERP widely deployed across French SMEs, including those in manufacturing. It serves as a generalist alternative for Clipper's target customers evaluating ERP investments.

Regional players

• VIF (Jonas VIF): VIF, part of the Jonas group, is a French/European vertical ERP for industrial SMEs in metalworking and subcontracting. It overlaps with Clipper's vertical specialization and customer profile within the French and adjacent European markets.

Emerging players

• Odoo: Odoo is an open-source, modular ERP with a manufacturing module that is increasingly adopted by European SMBs at lower price points. It represents an emerging low-cost alternative threatening the bottom end of Clipper's TPE customer segment.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks1 record

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCA2yYVo80M_SzyaE0lkbLRw
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/clipper-erp

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Clipper