Soft Europe’s business is focused around Autodesk products, and it is the exclusive French distributor for AutoCAD LT. Paris-based Soft Europe is privately held, and terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Clearwater, Florida-based Tech Data said the move was part of its strategy to expand into specialized markets with superior growth potential, expanding its product mix and profit potential. Last month it launched a takeover bid for pan-European networking distributor Azlan. At the time it warned that fiscal year 2004 earnings could be 15% to 25% down on the year.

The company’s taste for more specialized acquisitions is presumably part of an effort to offset declining margins in more mainstream IT markets.

Source: Computerwire