Our story
Learn about where DriveWorks started and what we’ve achieved since 2001.
Our story
Visit our offices and you’ll find yourself in a warm and welcoming environment. A 250-year-old barn with high ceilings, woodworm scarred beams, Xboxes, pool table, a beer fridge, secret chocolate treats and a great team of enthusiastic people.
Our technology
Glen Smith and Maria Sarkar started our business in 2001, creating DriveWorks, a design automation software tool to automate SOLIDWORKS, the leading 3D CAD design package. Today there are more DriveWorks software products, DriveWorksXpress, DriveWorks Solo, and DriveWorks Pro. They are used for design automation, product configuration, business process automation, and as a CPQ, sales configurator solution. DriveWorks software is used by businesses of all sizes, in a wide range of industries and market sectors across the globe.
Our company is built on innovative technology, high standards, market insight, and a vibrant mix of talent.
Our success
Our hard work and expertise are what make DriveWorks the leading design automation and sales configurator choice for manufacturing.
Successfully developed for more than 20 years in the industry, DriveWorks is the chosen design automation solution for SOLIDWORKS. DriveWorksXpress has been selected by SOLIDWORKS to be included in every license of their 3D CAD package.
Based on this trust, DriveWorksXpress, DriveWorks Solo and DriveWorks Pro are all SOLIDWORKS Gold Partner Products and we have built strong links with the entire SOLIDWORKS Community.
Our awards
In 2019, we were recognized locally with two High Sheriff’s Awards, for Innovation and Export.
In the same year, we were also recognized with the highest accolade available to UK businesses, the Queen’s Awards for Enterprise. The Queen’s Awards recognize businesses for outstanding achievement and we are honored to have received two awards, for Innovation and for International Trade.
“Our collaborative work-spaces and company culture all foster innovation. It’s at the heart of everything we do. Everyone here at DriveWorks is incredibly dedicated to creating great, innovative software for our customers all over the world. Being recognized with two highly coveted Queen’s Awards for Enterprise inspires us to do even more.” – Maria Sarkar, DriveWorks VP
Our connections
We are actively involved in supporting technology and innovation worldwide.
We have built strong connections within our channel. Our customers are supported by our global channel of authorized resellers. Our excellent team of specialists ensure the appropriate DriveWorks product is chosen and supported to suit the needs of your business. Information about using DriveWorks technical features and functionality is available online 24/7 in our Help File.
We are also actively involved in supporting STEM, networking, and learning. We work with our education partners, are part of the Cheshire & Warrington Pledge and we have a certification program to help students and professionals further their careers. We attend, present at, support, and sponsor SOLIDWORKS User Group Network meetings worldwide and were awarded the SWUGN Partner of the Year Award two years running.
We also support our local community. Our offices are located in Thelwall, Warrington, just outside of Manchester and only a few miles from Sci-Tech Daresbury. We are proud members of the Cheshire & Warrington Growth Hub and the Warrington Business Exchange. We work closely with the Cheshire & Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership, which works to support the area’s strengths in innovation, science, technology, and digital skills to grow the local economy.
We also sponsor and support local causes and regularly fundraise for charities.
Connecting with other businesses in Warrington
There are more and more tech and digital businesses like ours in Warrington and a community of like-minded companies is emerging. The Business Exchange by Warrington & Co. is a local networking initiative to bring these companies together.
The business exchange brings so much value to the local business community, to create a better connected and stronger economy in Warrington. Through the business exchange we’ve already made connections with many other local businesses. We’ve found suppliers for our events, made connections with local education, met companies we’re now working with, and even discovered new restaurants and bars to spend time at as a team.