# SDL plc > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/SDL_plc > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/SDL_plc.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SDL_plc > Source revision: 1346297438 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) **SDL plc** was a British multinational professional services company based in [Maidenhead](/source/Maidenhead), [Berkshire](/source/Berkshire), [United Kingdom](/source/United_Kingdom). SDL specialized in [language translation](/source/Language_translation) software and services (including [interpretation](/source/Language_interpretation) services). It was listed on the [London Stock Exchange](/source/London_Stock_Exchange) until it was acquired by [RWS Group](/source/RWS_Group) in November 2020. ## Name SDL is an [abbreviation](/source/Acronym) for "Software and Documentation Localization".[2][3] ## History The company was founded by Mark Lancaster with nine employees in 1992. It opened its first overseas office in [France](/source/France) in 1996[4] and was first listed on the [London Stock Exchange](/source/London_Stock_Exchange) in 1999.[4] The company grew organically and via acquisitions. SDL acquired Polylang Multimedia in 1998, International Translation & Publishing (ITP) in 2000, Alpnet in 2001, and the [machine translation](/source/Machine_translation) (MT) assets of Transparent Language in 2001. It bought [Trados](/source/Trados), a rival [translation memory](/source/Translation_memory) (TM) developer, in 2005.[5] In 2007, the company acquired Tridion, a content management system vendor,[6] and PASS Engineering, developers of the [Passolo](/source/SDL_Passolo) software.[7] In 2008, it bought Idiom Technologies, a global information system management business.[8] In July 2009 SDL acquired XyEnterprise in an all-cash transaction to add [XML Professional Publisher](/source/XML_Professional_Publisher) as well as Contenta content management software and LiveContent to manage and deliver [XML](/source/XML). This unit combined with Trisoft formerly Infoshare.[9] In December 2009, SDL acquired [Fredhopper](/source/Fredhopper), a Dutch eCommerce onsite search and navigation, onsite targeting and targeted advertising software vendor.[10] Later that same year, it bought Xopus, another Dutch company and the leader in online [XML](/source/XML) editing.[11] In May 2011 SDL acquired Dutch-based Media Asset Management company, Calamares,[12] in 2012 the campaign management and social media analytics company, Alterian,[13] and in 2013, bemoko, a supplier of internet software for mobile devices.[14] In January 2016, having undertaken a strategic review, SDL announced the divestment of Fredhopper and Alterian as non-complementary to its new strategy.[15] In August 2020 [RWS Group](/source/RWS_Group) announced a proposed takeover of the company for £809 million.[16] The transaction was completed on 4 November 2020.[17] ## Operations SDL provided software for language translation purposes.[18] ## References 1. ["Annual Report 2019"](https://webassets.sdl.com/images/SDL-Annual-Report-2019_tcm228-167880.pdf?_ga=2.263880396.1911013791.1599073800-684514360.1599073798). SDL plc. Retrieved 2 September 2020. 1. ["What is the acronym of "SDL" in SDL Tridion"](http://tridion.stackexchange.com/questions/3330/what-is-the-acronym-of-sdl-in-sdl-tridion). Retrieved 20 March 2015. 1. Rogers, Bruce. ["SDL's Acquisitions Build Marketing Tech Stack of the Future"](https://www.forbes.com/sites/brucerogers/2013/11/22/sdls-acquisitions-build-marketing-tech-stack-of-the-future/). *[Forbes](/source/Forbes)*. Retrieved 2015-08-23. 1. [SDL International: History](http://www.sdl.com/en/company/company/history.asp) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20081210113704/http://www.sdl.com/en/company/company/history.asp) 10 December 2008 at the Wayback Machine 1. [SDL buys Trados](http://www.columbustranslations.co.uk/sdl-buys-trados/) Columbus Translation Blog, 20 June 2015 1. [Real Story Group: SDL acquires Tridion](https://archive.today/20130410171253/http://www.cmswatch.com/Trends/891-SDL-acquired-Tridion) Real Story Group, 24 April 2007 1. [PASSOLO goes SDL](https://archive.today/20130412094250/http://www.tekom.de/index_neu.jsp?url=/servlet/ControllerGUI%3Faction=voll&id=2232) Tekom, May 2007 1. [SDL buys again picking up Idiom](http://www.cmswatch.com/Trends/1147-SDL-buys-again,-picking-up-Idiom) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20091214025826/http://www.cmswatch.com/Trends/1147-SDL-buys-again,-picking-up-Idiom) 2009-12-14 at the Wayback Machine Real Story Group, 11 February 2008 1. [SDL acquires XyEnterprise](https://www.kmworld.com/Articles/News/News/SDL-acquires-XyEnterprise-54989.aspx/), KMWorld 2009 1. [Company Overview of Fredhopper Ltd.](https://archive.today/20130410163611/http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=106487430), Businessweek 1. [SDL acquires XML editor Xopus](http://www.realstorygroup.com/Blog/1944-SDL-acquires-XML-editor-Xopus) Real Story Group, 6 July 2010 1. [SDL Acquires DAM Vendor Calamares: Start Of The Convergence Of WCM & DAM?](http://digitalassetmanagementnews.org/vendors/sdl-acquires-dam-vendor-calamares-start-of-the-convergence-of-wcm-dam/) DAM News, 5 May 2011 1. [SDL to buy Alterian after raising bid](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/sdl-to-buy-alterian-after-raising-bid-6271518.html) *The Independent*, 3 December 2011 1. [SDL plc Acquisition of bemoko](http://www.londonstockexchange.com/exchange/news/market-news/market-news-detail/11509207.html) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20150224231435/http://www.londonstockexchange.com/exchange/news/market-news/market-news-detail/11509207.html) 24 February 2015 at the Wayback Machine 1. ["SDL Announces Major Strategy Shift, Puts Units Up For Sale"](https://slator.com/financial-results/sdl-announces-major-strategy-shift-puts-units-up-for-sale/). 21 January 2016. Retrieved 2016-01-21. 1. ["RWS adds translation software to the portfolio with £809m SDL deal"](https://www.ft.com/content/86d620cf-b718-4966-ac65-28e46b8f05c5). *Financial Times*. 27 August 2020. 1. ["Update on All-Share Combination"](https://wp-rws-2020.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/media/2020/11/02155110/Update-on-All-Share-Combination.pdf). RWS. 2020-11-04. Retrieved 2020-11-04. 1. [SDL offices around the globe](http://www.sdl.com/aboutus/aboutsdl/offices.html) ## External links - [Official website](https://www.sdl.com) --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [SDL plc](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SDL_plc) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SDL_plc?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.