Steel Projects

What Steel Projects does

Steel Projects, founded in 1994 in Vienne, France, develops and sells Steel Projects PLM, a modular production management software suite purpose-built for steel fabricators. The platform combines CAM (Computer Aided Manufacturing), proprietary nesting algorithms, and an MES (Manufacturing Execution System) into seven integrated modules — SP Project, SP Production, SP Interface, SP Nesting, SP Inventory, SP Workshop, and SP Shipping — covering the full fabricator workflow from detailing intake and CNC programming through nesting and stock management to live shop-floor production monitoring and shipping. The company complements the core PLM with the Easy Check augmented reality quality-control add-on (powered by Twyn), Android mobile applications, and a proprietary PNI data-exchange format that integrates with major detailing platforms (Tekla Structures, Tekla PowerFab, Autodesk Advance Steel, SDS2) and ERP/MIS systems.

Steel Projects has been a 100% owned subsidiary of Italy's FICEP Group — the world's leading manufacturer of CNC machines for metal fabricators — since 2013, operating as FICEP's software division under the 'Intelligent Fabrication' strategy. The company serves 2,500+ customers across 100+ countries, distributed through regional offices in France, Canada (since 2008), the United States (since 2014), Italy (since 2020), and Malaysia (since 2024), supplemented by the FICEP subsidiary network. Its GTM is enterprise field sales with consultation-driven demos, tailored implementation, and a multi-tier revenue model: subscription software licenses, recurring SMART Program maintenance agreements (which include two major releases per year and unlimited technical support), and one-time professional services for installation, configuration, and training. The company crossed 50 employees worldwide in 2023 and celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2024 while initiating a cloud/SaaS transition.

Name

Steel Projects

Legal name

Steel Projects

Website

https://steelprojects.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Steel Projects, founded in 1994 in France and 100% owned by Italy's FICEP Group, develops Steel Projects PLM — a modular CAM/Nesting/MES software suite serving 2,500+ steel fabrication enterprises across 100+ countries via direct enterprise sales and the FICEP distribution network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Steel Fabrication Software

NAICS

Custom Roll Forming (332114)

SIC

Fabricated Structural Metal Products (3440)

akta.pro primary industry

Structural Steel Fabrication (IMADACAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Steel Fabrication & Marine Engineering (Custom Fabrication, Modifications, Conversions) (TLAHAMAH)

Keywords

• Steel fabrication software
• Production management software
• Computer aided manufacturing
• Manufacturing execution system
• Steel nesting software

Headquarters

HQ city

Vienne

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Software Licenses and Subscriptions: Core software licensing for Steel Projects PLM suite including modular solutions (SP Project, SP Production, SP Nesting, SP Workshop, etc.)
2. SMART Program (Maintenance & Support): Premium service agreement providing unlimited technical support, software upgrades (2 major updates per year), dedicated sessions, and personalized follow-up. Includes access to regular webinars and user days.
3. Professional Services: Installation, configuration, and training services tailored to customer needs. Includes remote training, on-site training, and training at company premises.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Steel Projects develops and sells Steel Projects PLM, an integrated, modular production management software platform for steel fabrication workshops. The solution combines CAM (Computer Aided Manufacturing), Nesting algorithms, and MES (Manufacturing Execution System) capabilities to automate the link between the detailing office and shop floor. It is complemented by the Easy Check augmented reality quality control solution, the SMART Program maintenance service, installation/training services, and Android mobile applications.

Product overview

Steel Projects offers Steel Projects PLM, a comprehensive modular production management solution for steel fabricators combining CAM (Computer Aided Manufacturing), Nesting, and MES (Manufacturing Execution System) capabilities. The platform consists of seven integrated modules: SP Project (project preparation and validation), SP Production (production planning and the new Scheduling & Sequencing module), SP Interface (data exchange with external systems), SP Nesting (section and plate nesting for optimized material usage), SP Inventory (stock and purchasing management), SP Workshop (production launch, monitoring and analysis), and SP Shipping (shipment organization and preparation). The portfolio is complemented by Easy Check (augmented reality quality control powered by Twyn), Android mobile applications for field operations, professional services including installation/training, and the SMART Program maintenance service. The company also offers a free CAD Viewer tool and supports integrations with major CAD/BIM platforms including Tekla Structures, Autodesk Advance Steel, SDS2, and Alma. Steel Projects serves over 2,500 customers across more than 100 countries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Steel Projects PLM: Integrated, modular production management solution dedicated to the steel construction industry.
• Easy Check
• SMART Program
• SP Nesting

Products and services

• Steel Projects PLM Comprehensive, modular production management software platform for steel fabricators that integrates CAM (Computer Aided Manufacturing), Nesting, and MES (Manufacturing Execution System) capabilities to manage the complete production workflow from importing drawings through CNC programming, nesting, shop floor execution, and shipping. Used by enterprise steel fabrication workshops globally.
• Easy Check Augmented reality quality control add-on for steel fabrication workshops. Overlays CAD models directly on physical assemblies via iPad Pro to detect deviations in real time with 1/32 inch accuracy over 3 feet, generating automated annotated quality reports for EN1090 traceability compliance.
• SMART Program Premium subscription-based maintenance and assistance service providing unlimited technical support from expert teams, access to latest software versions including two major updates per year, dedicated training sessions, webinars, user days, and personalized customer follow-up.
• Installation and Training Professional services for Steel Projects PLM deployment including software installation, configuration, and tailored training. Delivered remotely, on-site at customer locations, or at Steel Projects' premises, with French Qualiopi certification for training excellence.
• Android Mobile Applications Mobile applications available on Android for increased workshop mobility, including features for shipping management, stock/purchasing management, management of manual workstations, and real-time monitoring of workshop activity. Industry 4.0-compatible.

Quantifiable outcome

• Drastically reduced programming times through intelligent, optimized CNC data based on machine parameters
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

AI capability9 records

Feature12 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Tekla PowerFabmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTekla PowerFab brings together Tekla Structures and Tekla EPM software. Historic partnership with Tekla and Ficep for more than two decades has resulted in a common global solution for managing entire production processes and complete project administration.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves16 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Broad incumbents

• IFS: IFS provides enterprise ERP and MES for industrial manufacturers including metal fabrication, with project-based production planning capabilities. As a broad incumbent, IFS competes against Steel Projects for the enterprise software stack at larger steel fabricators.
• Bentley (Structural): Bentley's structural portfolio (RAM, STAAD) addresses structural analysis and steel design for engineers feeding fabrication shops. As a broad incumbent, it competes indirectly with Steel Projects for the engineering-to-fabrication technology budget.
• AVEVA: AVEVA is an industrial software incumbent offering MES, production planning, and digital twin capabilities across process and discrete manufacturing. While not steel-specific, AVEVA competes for enterprise MES/digital transformation budgets at large industrial fabricators.

Direct peers

• Autodesk Advance Steel: Autodesk Advance Steel is 3D CAD/CAM software purpose-built for steel detailers and fabricators. It overlaps with Steel Projects' downstream CAM and CNC programming workflows and integrates as both a partner and a competitor in the detailing-to-fabrication pipeline.
• Graitec: Graitec offers structural analysis, detailing, and fabrication software (including the historical ProSteel product) targeting steel fabricators and engineering offices. It overlaps with Steel Projects' CAM/fabrication workflows and serves the same European customer base.
• STRUMIS (AceCad Software): STRUMIS is a steel fabrication management information system (MIS) serving structural steel and miscellaneous metal fabricators worldwide. It targets the same customer profile as Steel Projects PLM with overlapping project management, production control, and nesting capabilities.
• SDS2 (Design Data): SDS2 provides 3D steel detailing and connection design software for structural steel fabricators, with direct export integrations into Steel Projects PLM. It competes in the steel detailing stage that feeds into fabrication MIS, creating overlapping buyer relationships.
• Tekla PowerFab (Trimble): Tekla PowerFab is the closest direct competitor — a steel fabrication MIS/MES suite from Trimble covering estimating, production planning, and shop-floor control. Trimble also owns Tekla Structures (3D detailing), creating an end-to-end stack that competes head-on with Steel Projects PLM.

Others

• FICEP Group: FICEP is Steel Projects' parent company and the world's leading CNC machine manufacturer for metal fabricators. It is not a peer in the traditional sense but is the controlling shareholder, hardware partner, and primary distribution channel that shapes Steel Projects' competitive positioning.

Emerging players

• StruSoft: StruSoft provides structural engineering and FEM-design software (WinStatik, Frame Analysis) primarily for engineers designing steel and timber structures. It is an emerging player in the upstream design-to-fabrication workflow that competes for fabricator software wallet share.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCQyZc84Qzb2G4ifvt0HKL3w
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/steel-projects
• Xx.com/steelprojects

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries4 records

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 Steel Projects