SDL (RWS)

SDL plc was a UK-based language technology and translation services company headquartered in Maidenhead, Berkshire. It provided intellectual property support services, high-level technical, legal and financial translation services, and developed and sold computer-assisted translation software — most notably the Trados product line. Over its 25-year history, SDL built differentiation through innovation in language services, advanced technology, machine translation and AI, serving over 1,500 language service providers, around 270,000 freelance translation professionals, and 90 of the world's top 100 companies.

SDL no longer exists as an independent brand. On August 27, 2020, the boards of RWS and SDL announced a deal — described as the UK's largest tech deal of the year — in which RWS agreed to pay roughly £809 million (about $1.07 billion) to buy SDL. RWS Holdings plc completed the all-share acquisition on November 4, 2020, with RWS shareholders holding approximately 70.5% and SDL shareholders about 29.5% of the combined company. The SDL brand was subsequently retired and its units rebranded to RWS.

The acquisition was a transformational event, creating what was described as the world's leading language services and software company. It combined RWS's specialist technical translation and localization strengths with SDL's software, machine translation and AI capabilities, spanning language services, language and content software, and IP services. Following the merger, the business was organized into divisions including RWS IP Services and RWS Regulated Industries.

Because SDL's strengths centered on translation software, machine translation and AI, innovation in language and content technology is directly relevant to the legacy and continued operation of this business within RWS.