MEC CAD

What MEC CAD does

MEC CAD is a privately held Italian software company founded in 2007 and headquartered in Udine (legal entity: MEC CAD di Donno Luciano), specializing in CAD plugin software for the scaffolding and formwork design industry. Its core product, PON CAD, is delivered as a plugin for AutoCAD (2016+) and BricsCAD (V15+), using DWG as the native format with IFC/BIM export interoperability. The technology stack includes 75+ pre-built scaffolding manufacturer catalogues, automatic bill of materials generation, one-click export to NextFEM STRUCT for finite-element structural verification under EN 12811-1, NTC2018, and Eurocodes 3 and 9, and ERP connectors to Odoo (free native connector) and SAP (documented CSV/HTML path). The company operates as an Authorized Developer for both Autodesk and Bricsys and offers a SMART package bundling BricsCAD with PON CAD.

The company serves three primary customer segments: scaffolding manufacturers (who white-label and resell PON CAD as part of their product offering), scaffolding rental companies (using PON CAD for quotations and project visualization), and construction companies (for complex, non-type-approved scaffolding design and structural verification). Secondary segments include industrial maintenance, the entertainment/events industry (stages, roofing, tribunes), and vocational training schools (served via a free Schools Program). Named enterprise customers include Layher, PERI, Altrad, Marcegaglia, Pilosio, Condor, CATARI, DOKA AT-PAC, Metalusa, AFIX, Petrojet, Unispan, Alustar, and Faresin, with active projects documented across Italy, Belgium, France, Norway, Serbia, Qatar, UAE, Egypt, China, Chile, and Mexico.

The business model combines one-time perpetual software licenses (PON CAD plugin or SMART package) with an annual maintenance and support subscription that funds updates, technical support, and access to e-learning resources. Additional revenue streams include professional services for custom manufacturer library development (libraries remain the manufacturer's property), training and consulting services, and ERP integration partner revenue. Distribution occurs through direct enterprise sales, the white-label manufacturer channel, and CAD platform marketplaces, with multilingual support (Italian, English, Spanish, French) and a global reach anchored by 17+ years of accumulated domain expertise.

Name

MEC CAD

Legal name

MEC CAD di Donno Luciano

Website

https://meccad.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

MEC CAD is an Italian software company founded in 2007 that develops specialized CAD plugin software (PON CAD, FOR CAD, PON WEB) for scaffolding manufacturers, rental companies, and construction firms globally. Built as plugins for AutoCAD and BricsCAD, the software provides 3D scaffolding design, automatic bill of materials, BIM/IFC interoperability, and structural verification across 75+ manufacturer catalogues.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Udine

HQ country

Italy

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. Software Licenses (Perpetual): MEC CAD sells perpetual software licenses. PON CAD does not require annual subscription for the base software - it is a one-time purchase. Software is delivered as plugin for AutoCAD/BricsCAD or as SMART package with bundled BricsCAD.
2. Annual Maintenance and Support Subscription: Annual subscription provides software updates, service packs, and technical support. Support is available via email within 24 hours on weekdays. Includes access to e-learning platform and video tutorials.
3. Custom Library Development Services: Customization services for scaffolding manufacturers to create proprietary component libraries branded for their products. Libraries remain property of the manufacturer.
4. Training and Consulting Services: Training services including online training with dedicated technician, on-site training, and library modification/maintenance training. Also consulting for organizing and launching technical offices.
5. ERP Integration Connector: Free PON CAD to Odoo connector provided. Integration documentation (CSV, HTML) available for custom ERP connections. Revenue from implementation partners rather than the connector itself.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

MEC CAD develops and sells CAD plugin software specialized for scaffolding and formwork design, primarily through its PON CAD 3D and FOR CAD product lines. The software runs inside AutoCAD or BricsCAD and enables unlimited 3D scaffolding design with automatic Bill of Materials, BIM (IFC) export, and one-click structural verification via NextFEM STRUCT. Products are sold via perpetual license plus annual maintenance subscription, supported by 75+ pre-built manufacturer catalogs and complemented by custom library development and training services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• PON CAD 3D Scaffolding CAD plugin software for designing scaffolding structures in 3D without limits on scheme complexity. Supports ringlock, cuplock, frame, tube & fitting, and multidirectional systems; generates automatic Bill of Materials; exports to NextFEM STRUCT for structural verification; supports BIM/IFC interoperability. Runs as a plugin inside AutoCAD (2016+) or BricsCAD (V15+). Targeted at scaffolding manufacturers, rental companies, construction firms, and engineering consultancies.
• FOR CAD Formwork CAD software for designing modular formwork for vertical walls and horizontal slabs in 2D/3D, with phase management for material rotation optimization. Targeted at construction companies and formwork designers needing precise quantity takeoffs and reuse planning.
• PON WEB Browser-based plugin for AutoCAD Web that enables sharing and consulting of PON CAD scaffolding projects via cloud, accessible on tablets and mobile devices without installing desktop software. Integrates the project's Bill of Materials and drawing views into the AutoCAD Web interface.
• PON CAD SMART Package Bundled offering of PON CAD 3D Scaffolding together with a BricsCAD license in a single package, eliminating the need for customers to purchase a separate CAD platform. Targeted at customers without an existing AutoCAD or BricsCAD license.
• Custom Library Development for Scaffolding Manufacturers Bespoke service for scaffolding manufacturers to create proprietary component libraries branded for their products within PON CAD. Developed libraries remain the manufacturer's property and are used to white-label and distribute PON CAD to their customers.
• Training and Consulting Services Professional training (online with dedicated technician, on-site, library modification/maintenance) and consulting for organizing and launching technical offices for scaffolding design. Includes access to the e-learning platform and video tutorials.
• PON CAD Structural Solution (NextFEM STRUCT Integration) Integrated structural verification solution enabling one-click export of PON CAD designs to NextFEM STRUCT for finite element analysis of scaffolding structures per EN 12811-1, NTC2018, and Eurocodes 3 and 9. Auto-assigns materials, sections, load planes, anchors, and constraints; generates Word/OpenOffice PiMUS reports.
• PON CAD BIM Solution BIM authoring workflow for scaffolding projects using PON CAD as a plugin inside BricsCAD BIM, saving projects in DWG and exporting to IFC for interoperability with Revit, Allplan, Navisworks, and BIMvision.

Quantifiable outcome

• Time savings through automated material lists and rapid 3D design
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers20 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration14 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• AutodeskcoreTechnology or IntegrationOfficial Autodesk Authorized Developer status. MEC CAD develops and maintains certified plugins for AutoCAD platform, ensuring compatibility and integration with AutoCAD's CAD ecosystem.
• BricsyscoreTechnology or IntegrationOfficial BricsCAD Developer status. MEC CAD develops certified plugins for BricsCAD platform and offers SMART package bundling BricsCAD with PON CAD software.
• NextFEMcoreTechnology or IntegrationNextFEM developed STRUCT module specifically for PON CAD integration, providing finite element structural analysis for scaffolding verification according to European standards (EN 12811-1, Eurocodes). One-click export from PON CAD to STRUCT.
• MarcegagliamajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMajor scaffolding manufacturer using PON CAD for global projects including Vatican, Pisa Cathedral, Bucharest Cathedral, and international projects in Qatar.
• PilosiomajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLeading scaffolding manufacturer partner for Oil & Gas, industrial applications, and historic building restoration projects.
• LayhermajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGlobal scaffolding manufacturer with dedicated PON CAD library for Layher Allround system, used in church restoration and various construction projects.
• CondormajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorItalian scaffolding manufacturer with multiple PON CAD projects including Caserta Palace, Naples metro, Dubai underground, and viaduct maintenance.
• CATARImajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIndustrial scaffolding manufacturer with projects including submarine maintenance, Madrid facade, Chile mine, Belgrade arena, and Dublin cantilever scaffolding.
• PERImajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGlobal formwork and scaffolding manufacturer with PON CAD integration for PERI UP system in industrial applications.
• AltradmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMajor international scaffolding and construction equipment manufacturer using PON CAD for design services.
• MetalusaminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPortuguese scaffolding manufacturer using PON CAD for railway bridge and cement factory projects.
• UnispanminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorScaffolding rental company with projects including motorway bridge cantilever and Aztec TV tower in Mexico.
• AFIX GroupminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorScaffolding company with major projects including Belgium National Courthouse and Ariane Tower in Paris La Défense.
• PetrojetminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEgyptian scaffolding company for Oil & Gas sector, using PON CAD for Midor Refinery cuplock scaffolding.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Bricsys (BricsCAD): Bricsys (Hexagon) is the platform host for PON CAD via BricsCAD and provides general-purpose CAD tooling. Its developer relationship and bundled SMART package make it a strategic partner, but its broad CAD portfolio also places it as a broader incumbent in the same ecosystem.
• Autodesk (AutoCAD / Revit): Autodesk is the platform host for PON CAD (as an AutoCAD plugin) and provides general-purpose CAD/BIM tools like AutoCAD and Revit. While not a direct competitor in scaffolding design, it could theoretically expand into the niche or constrain MEC CAD through platform changes.
• Allplan (Nemetschek): Allplan is a BIM platform within the Nemetschek group that interoperates with PON CAD via IFC. It is a broad incumbent in construction BIM and could expand into scaffolding-specific workflows, especially in European markets where both are strong.
• Trimble (Tekla Structures): Trimble's Tekla Structures is a leading BIM and structural engineering platform used in construction for steel, concrete, and increasingly temporary works. It is a broad incumbent adjacent to MEC CAD's BIM-interoperable scaffolding tooling and could expand into scaffolding-specific workflows.

Emerging players

• PERI (PERI CAD): PERI is a major global formwork and scaffolding manufacturer that is both a customer and a potential competitor, having developed in-house design tools for its PERI UP system. Its vertical integration and proprietary tooling put it in partial overlap with MEC CAD's formwork and scaffolding modules.
• Layher (Layher SIM): Layher is the world's largest scaffolding manufacturer and a channel partner of MEC CAD, but it has also invested in its own Scaffolding Information Modeling tooling. Its brand scale and proprietary tooling make it both a key customer and a long-term competitive threat.

Direct peers

• ScaffPlan: ScaffPlan is a 3D CAD software for scaffolding design that competes directly with PON CAD in the niche of ringlock, cuplock, and modular scaffolding systems. It targets scaffolding designers and rental companies with similar 3D modeling and material quantification capabilities.
• Avontus Software: Avontus develops Scaffold Designer, a CAD-based software specifically for scaffolding and shoring design, with BoM generation and structural analysis. It is the most direct competitor to PON CAD in the specialized scaffolding CAD category, serving similar scaffolding manufacturers and rental companies with a comparable go-to-market model.

Regional players

• CADS (CAD Software Solutions): CADS provides CAD software for structural and temporary works design primarily in the UK and Ireland. Its temporary works focus makes it a partial regional peer to MEC CAD in the formwork and shoring design space, though its geographic concentration differs.

Others

• NextFEM: NextFEM is a strategic technology partner of MEC CAD, having developed the STRUCT module for structural analysis integration with PON CAD. It is an ecosystem participant rather than a direct competitor, supplying the FEA capability that complements MEC CAD's design tooling.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/poncad1
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/mec-cad
• Xx.com/MEC_CAD

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 MEC CAD