Elsevier, the global information analytics business specializing in science and health, today announced it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Aries Systems, a leader in scientific publication workflow solutions headquartered outside Boston, MA. Aries’ offerings are used by journals, books and other publications for manuscript submission, peer review, production tracking and eCommerce.
“Aries has built a best-in-class workflow solution for publishers, editors and scholars seeking to advance the discovery and dissemination of knowledge,” said Lyndon Holmes, Aries’ Founder. “I’m excited that now with Elsevier we’ll be even stronger and better positioned with enhanced solutions and analytics to help our customers achieve their goals.”
Aries was founded by Lyndon Holmes in 1986 and has successfully developed several generations of technologies to support publications processes, including Editorial Manager®, an online manuscript submission and peer-review system. Elsevier and Aries have worked closely for nearly 20 years and Elsevier already uses the Editorial Manager platform for a significant number of journals, including its high profile Cell Press portfolio and many society titles.
“We have long admired the business Lyndon has built, both for its innovative solutions and its prestigious client base. Aries’ strengths in the provision of publication workflow systems together with Elsevier’s strengths in information analytics will enable us to continue to innovate the publishing process,” said Dominic Feltham, President Research, Elsevier.
Elsevier is committed to providing the same strong and consistent service for both publishers and researchers as Aries provides today. To that end, Elsevier will be establishing a customer advisory board comprised of Aries’ customers and chaired by Lyndon Holmes, who has agreed to remain with the company. Elsevier also plans to retain the Aries team working for the company in the US, the UK and Germany.
The acquisition is in line with Elsevier’s organic growth driven strategy, supported by acquisitions of innovative open science companies that are helping improve the research information ecosystem, following the acquisitions of Mendeley, SSRN, Plum Analytics and bepress. The transaction is subject to customary conditions and regulatory consents and is expected to close in the third quarter of 2018.
