Alma
Alma is a French employee-owned cooperative that develops the Almacam CAD/CAM software suite for nesting, sheet metal and tube cutting, bending, and robotic offline programming, serving approximately 8,000 industrial customers across 20 countries through resellers, direct subsidiaries, and OEM software-component licensing.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1981
- HeadquartersSaint-martin-d'heres, France
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What Alma does
Alma is a French employee-owned cooperative (SCOP - Société Coopérative de Production) headquartered in Saint-Martin-d'Hères near Grenoble, founded in 1981 to develop CAD/CAM software for industrial cutting optimization. The company owns the Almacam software suite, which covers 2D cutting (laser, plasma, oxy, water jet, punching, routing), 3D/tube/5-axis cutting, press-brake bending, CAD import and unfolding, quotation, workshop scheduling, and offline programming for cutting and welding robots. Its core technical asset is a set of proprietary nesting algorithms developed entirely in-house over more than 45 years, delivered both as a ready-to-use CAM platform and as embeddable software components (Powernest) licensed to third-party CAD/CAM and ERP vendors. Alma also operates Alma GmbH in Blaubeuren, Germany, and works with channel partners such as Klaassen Advanced Technology (Netherlands) and ASCO DATA (Bremen), serving approximately 8,000 customers in 20 countries across sheet metal subcontractors, machine tool builders, software publishers, and end users in aeronautics, shipbuilding, capital goods, and furniture.
The company monetizes the platform through a mix of perpetual and subscription software licenses, annual maintenance and support contracts, professional services for installation, parameterization, training, and robotic cell calibration, and component/royalty licensing of its nesting algorithms. Distribution is channel-first, with authorized resellers and direct subsidiaries providing local sales, installation, and support, complemented by a freemium web-based 2D nesting trial (Nest&Cut) on AWS and a multilingual website supporting self-serve evaluation in six languages. Recent product investment has been concentrated in extending the workflow beyond cutting: the March 2026 Almacam 4.1.2 release introduced the Almacam Robotics OLP module, a new Almacam Bend press-brake module, an updated Almaquote quotation tool, and incremental nesting improvements. The company is ISO 9001:2015 certified, operates without disclosed external investors or parent company, and reports no funding rounds, consistent with a profitable, employee-owned niche software business.
Alma firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Alma
- Legal name
- ALMA Scop
- Website
- https://almacam.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1981
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Alma is a French employee-owned cooperative that develops the Almacam CAD/CAM software suite for nesting, sheet metal and tube cutting, bending, and robotic offline programming, serving approximately 8,000 industrial customers across 20 countries through resellers, direct subsidiaries, and OEM software-component licensing.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Alma industry classification
Industry- Product category
- CAD/CAM Software
- NAICS
- Computer Systems Design Services (541512), Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151), Engineering Services (54133)
- SIC
- Services-Computer Programming Services (7371), Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Manufacturing ERP (Discrete, Process, Batch) (HDAEAEAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Core ERP Suites (Financials, Procurement, Projects) (HDAEAEAA), Construction & Engineering ERP (Job Costing, Project Controls) (HDAEAEAE)
Keywords
Where Alma is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Saint-martin-d'heres
- HQ country
- France
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices5 records
Markets served
Alma business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Software Licenses: Perpetual or subscription-based software licenses for Almacam CAD/CAM products. Licenses can be floating (network-based) or dedicated to specific workstations/machines.
- Annual Maintenance and Support Contracts: Annual maintenance contracts with minimum 1-year term providing software updates (service packs, new versions), remote access support, and online technical documentation access.
- Professional Services: Implementation services including on-site installation, software parameterization, testing with customer machines, training, calibration of robotic cells, and customized development services.
- Software Components Licensing: Nesting algorithms commercialized as software components for third-party CAD/CAM or ERP software developers to integrate into their own applications.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Free 2D Nesting Trial |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels5 records
Alma product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Alma develops and sells the Almacam Suite, a unified CAD/CAM software platform for nesting, cutting, bending, and robotic programming. The company offers 2D cutting, 3D tube and profile cutting, press brake bending, offline programming for cutting and welding robots, quotation, and Industry 4.0 ERP/MES integration modules. It also licenses its proprietary in-house nesting algorithms as software components for integration by third-party CAD/CAM and ERP developers.
Product overview
Alma's product portfolio centers on the Almacam Suite, a unified CAD-CAM software platform for nesting, cutting, and robotics. The core offering includes 2D CAM modules for cutting (Almacam Cut), punching (Almacam Punch), routing (Almacam Routing), and combined operations (Almacam Combi), alongside 3D CAM for tubes (Almacam Tube), 5-axis cutting (Almacam Space Cut), and blocks (Almacube). The platform encompasses CAD import tools (Assembly2cam, Unfold), Industry 4.0 integration (Almaquote, Workshop/Scheduler, ERP/MES Integration), and robotic programming (Almacam Robotics, Almacam Weld, OLP Robotic Cutting). Alma is unique in developing nesting algorithms internally, offering them both as ready-to-use CAM software and as software components (Powernest) for integration by third-party CAD/CAM/ERP developers. Cloud-based access is available via Nest&Cut web application.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Almacam: Unified CAD-CAM software for Nesting, Cutting and Robotics developed by Alma for sheet metalworking, tube cutting, 5-axis machining, and robotic applications
- Almacam Cut
- Almacam Tube
- Almacam Bend
- Almacam Robotics
- Almacam Weld
- Almaquote
- Nest&Cut
- Powernest
- Almacube
Products and services
- Almacam Suite Unified CAD-CAM software suite for nesting, cutting, bending, and robotics covering 2D cutting, 3D/tube cutting, robotic welding, bending, CAD import, and Industry 4.0 integration. Used by sheet metal manufacturers, machine tool builders, and software developers.
- Almacam Cut 2D CAM and nesting solution for sheet metal cutting operations, supporting laser, water jet, plasma, and oxy-cutting technologies. Used by industrial cutting subcontractors and sheet metal manufacturers.
- Almacam Tube 3D CAM software for tube and profile cutting. Controls tube cutting machines with no limit on axes and includes a dedicated algorithm for profile sections such as U-, H-, and L-beams.
- Almacam Bend Press brake programming module that analyzes part geometry and determines bending parameters according to press brake constraints. Extends the CAD/CAM workflow from part preparation through cutting to bending.
- Almacam Robotics Offline Programming (OLP) module for cutting and welding robots introduced in version 4.1.2. Enables digital twins of robotic cells, simulates robot trajectories, and checks collision avoidance in a single environment.
- Almacam Weld OLP software for robotic welding, providing a continuous workflow from CAD import to robot program generation. Used by mechanical welding and boiler-making manufacturers.
- Almaquote Quotation software for sheet metal and mechanical welding. Features multi-level BOM management, quote reuse, graphics tools for quote analysis, and integration with Webquote online service.
- Nest&Cut Easy-to-use 2D CAM web application available as SaaS, powered by Amazon Web Services. Provides nesting capabilities via browser interface and supports geometric file imports including DXF, DWG, Step, DSTV, SVG, PDF, and CSV.
- Powernest Software component for nesting optimization that can be integrated into third-party CAD/CAM or ERP applications. Commercialized as an embeddable library for software developers.
Quantifiable outcome
- Material gain of approximately 0.15% compared to previous version through nesting improvements
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Alma
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments7 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Alma technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration5 records
Feature8 records
Alma partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Klaassen Advanced TechnologycoreKlaassen Advanced Technology is a Dutch company specializing in distribution and integration of industrial machinery for metalworking. They distribute Bodor Laser cutting machines for sheet metal and tubes, Evotec and Durmapress equipment. Klaassen has selected Almacam as its CAD/CAM software solution and acts as an official Almacam reseller in the Netherlands, supporting customers from installation through to production start-up.
- Bodor LaserminorMachine brand distributed through Klaassen Advanced Technology network. Bodor Laser cutting machines for sheet metal and tubes are complemented by Almacam CAD/CAM software.
- EvotecminorEquipment brand distributed through Klaassen Advanced Technology network. Evotec equipment is complemented by Almacam CAD/CAM software.
- DurmapressminorEquipment brand distributed through Klaassen Advanced Technology network. Durmapress equipment is complemented by Almacam CAD/CAM software.
- ASCO DATA GmbHcoreASCO DATA Gesellschaft für Rechneranwendungen in der Fertigung mbH, based in Bremen, Germany, distributes Alma software solutions in German markets. They provide software licensing, installation, inbetriebnahme, and support services.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Alma competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Mastercam (CNC Software): Mastercam is a leading CAD/CAM platform for milling, turning, and multi-axis machining with strong nesting capabilities used by thousands of machine shops worldwide. It overlaps directly with Almacam in serving CNC-driven metalworking subcontractors with toolpath and post-processing functionality.
- Tebis (Tebis Technische Datenverarbeitung): Tebis is a CAD/CAM system for tool and die making, mechanical engineering, and sheet metal working with strong nesting and automation features. It competes head-on with Almacam in the European discrete manufacturing and tooling market.
- SigmaNEST: SigmaNEST is a leading CAD/CAM nesting solution for sheet metal cutting, tube cutting, and punch press operations, serving fabrication subcontractors globally. It is one of the closest direct competitors to Almacam Cut and Almacam Tube in the cutting-subcontractor segment.
- Lantek: Lantek provides CAD/CAM and ERP/MES software specifically focused on sheet metal fabrication, including nesting, cutting, bending, and shop-floor management. The product scope and target customer base closely mirror Almacam's offerings for industrial cutting subcontractors.
Broad incumbents
- Autodesk (Fusion 360, formerly Delcam): Autodesk absorbed Delcam's CAM products (FeatureCAM, ArtCAM, PowerMILL) and offers Fusion 360 with manufacturing extensions for sheet metal and 5-axis CAM. As a broad PLM/CAD incumbent, it competes for mid-market CAM and nesting customers and could pressure niche players through bundling.
- TRUMPF (TruTops): TRUMPF offers TruTops CAD/CAM and nesting software bundled with its laser and punching machines, targeting the same metalworking OEMs and subcontractors as Alma. As a global machine tool leader, it competes with Almacam indirectly through customer lock-in to vendor-bundled software.
- Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence (ESPRIT / WorkNC / Radan): Hexagon's CAM division offers ESPRIT and WorkNC for machining and Radan for sheet metal nesting/cutting—directly comparable to Almacam Cut and Tube for sheet metal and tube/profile CAM at mid-market manufacturers. Hexagon is a much larger incumbent with a broader measurement and manufacturing portfolio.
- Bystronic (bysoft): Bystronic is a major manufacturer of sheet metal cutting and bending systems that offers its own BySoft CAM/nesting software alongside its machines. As an OEM-driven CAM suite, it competes with Almacam in the bundled machine-and-software buying motion Alma addresses through Klaassen-type resellers.
Emerging players
- Jetcam (Jetcam International): Jetcam provides nesting and CNC cutting software for sheet metal, tube, and composite cutting applications. It overlaps with Almacam's core cutting/nesting functionality for fabrication subcontractors, particularly in composite and aerospace-adjacent markets.
Others
- ASCO DATA GmbH: ASCO DATA is a long-standing Alma software distributor in the German market and was previously acquired by Alma in 2017. It is a distribution and services peer rather than a direct competitor, but provides insight into how Alma's partner-channel economics work in DACH.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Alma social profiles
Digital presenceAlma compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Alma financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Alma leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Alma funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Alma M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A1 record
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Alma
What does Alma do?
Alma develops and sells the Almacam Suite, a unified CAD/CAM software platform for nesting, cutting, bending, and robotic programming. The company offers 2D cutting, 3D tube and profile cutting, press brake bending, offline programming for cutting and welding robots, quotation, and Industry 4.0 ERP/MES integration modules. It also licenses its proprietary in-house nesting algorithms as software components for integration by third-party CAD/CAM and ERP developers.
Is Alma a public or private company?
Alma is a private company. It is classified as management employee owned and is currently operating.
When was Alma founded?
Alma was founded in 1981. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Alma based?
Alma is headquartered in Saint-martin-d'heres, France, in the Europe region.
How does Alma make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Software Licenses are the primary driver. The others are annual Maintenance and Support Contracts, professional Services and software Components Licensing.
Who are Alma's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Mastercam (CNC Software), Tebis (Tebis Technische Datenverarbeitung), SigmaNEST and Lantek. Broad incumbents are Autodesk (Fusion 360, formerly Delcam), TRUMPF (TruTops), Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence (ESPRIT / WorkNC / Radan) and Bystronic (bysoft). Jetcam (Jetcam International) is listed as an emerging player. ASCO DATA GmbH is listed as an others.
Does Alma have an API?
No public API is recorded for Alma.
What industry is Alma in?
Alma's product category is CAD/CAM Software. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDAEAEAB, Manufacturing ERP (Discrete, Process, Batch), with a secondary code of HDAEAEAA, Core ERP Suites (Financials, Procurement, Projects). Its NAICS code is 541512 and its SIC code is 7371.