Last fall, we welcomed SolidCAD to Addnode Group. SolidCAD has built a strong business in Canada by helping customers get more value from their technology investments. Before joining Addnode Group, the company grew both organically and through acquisitions, while broadening its offering in AEC (Architecture, Engineering & Construction) and manufacturing. We spoke with CEO Marcus Tateishi about SolidCAD’s journey, why the fit with Symetri felt right, and how the first period after closing has been.
In one sentence – how would you describe SolidCAD?
SolidCAD helps design-and-make organizations turn technology into measurable business outcomes—improving how they design, build, and deliver by combining Autodesk expertise with consulting, data, and services.
Can you tell us briefly about SolidCAD’s journey before joining Addnode Group?
SolidCAD was founded by an immigrant to Canada, and that “builder” spirit has stayed central, while continuing to welcome talented people new to Canada who’ve joined, grown, and made a real impact on our team and clients. Over the years we’ve also been strengthened through about 15 acquisitions. Through bringing in great leaders and specialist teams from other companies it has expanded our capabilities and deepened our industry focus.
As the Canadian market evolved, we intentionally shifted from “products and support” to a value-delivery model—combining Autodesk expertise with services, consulting, and data-driven improvement in AEC and manufacturing. Prior to joining Addnode we were looking for the right partnerships that could strengthen our value proposition so clients get measurable outcomes, not just tools. This led us into conversations with the Symetri team.
What was it about Symetri/Addnode Group that made you decide to become part of this ecosystem?
When we began looking for the right company to acquire SolidCAD we knew Strategic and Cultural alignment would be important. What we found was that when we sat down with the team from Symetri, there were a few areas that directly contributed to how we looked at this potential for alignment:
- Market scale and local accountability felt familiar to how we’ve integrated 15 previous acquisitions.
- Symetri’s IP platforms clearly helped strengthen our value proposition to our existing client base.
- The leadership group at Symetri and Addnode shared a long term lens that matched how we look at investing in our people and our clients.
How has the period since closing been? What has worked especially well, and what’s been surprising or challenging?
It’s been positive and energizing. We’ve experienced strong collaboration, shared focus on customer value, and early benefits from cross-team knowledge sharing. In the first 90 days, we had two wins with premium clients working together with teams from other geos within Symetri, that we could not have achieved without working together.
Our biggest challenge is bandwidth – integrating tools, ways of working, and educating our team on the Symetri company and portfolio, while still serving customers. While we endeavour to stay customer-first focused, sharing wins across teams, we also try to stay aware of potential for change fatigue. I’m very grateful to the entire team for all the ways they have leaned in to support the integration, through thoughtful processes, clear communication and the added discretionary effort when called upon.
We are more than happy to have SolidCAD join us and are eager to see them grow as part of Addnode Group! More information on SolidCAD can be found here: https://www.solidcad.ca/
