EXHIBIT 99.1

               Trimble to Acquire 3D Laser Scanning Company MENSI


     HAMBURG,  Germany,  Sept. 17, 2003 - Trimble (NASDAQ: TRMB) today announced
that it has signed an agreement with EDF Environnement et Developpement  S.A. of
France to acquire its subsidiary, MENSI S.A., a leading developer of terrestrial
3D laser scanning  technology.  Trimble will acquire MENSI in a cash transaction
valued at up to EUR 6.5 million  (approximately  USD 7.3  million).  The initial
purchase  price  is  EUR  3.5  million  (approximately  USD  3.9  million)  with
additional payments up to EUR 3.0 million  (approximately USD 3.4 million) based
on revenue  through 2007.  Closing of the  transaction is subject to approval by
French authorities.

     The  announcement  was made today at Intergeo  2003,  the largest  European
conference on geodesy, geoinformatics and land management.

     The  addition  of  3D  laser  scanning  to  Trimble's   other   positioning
technologies  will  accelerate the  development  of new products,  which enhance
productivity  in Trimble's  existing  surveying,  engineering  and  construction
markets.  Laser scanning enables users to collect and use much higher amounts of
3D data than other tools.

     "MENSI is an industry leader in 3D laser scanning  technology.  The company
has built a strong market and  technology  position  since its  founding,"  said
Steven W. Berglund,  president and CEO of Trimble.  "The acquisition gives us an
immediate  entry  into 3D laser  scanning  and data  modeling  applications  and
strengthens our existing  positioning  product  portfolio.  We expect to use the
MENSI  platform  to develop  new  generations  of  products  for the  surveying,
engineering and construction industries."

     "Since the company was  founded,  MENSI's  vision has been that 3D scanners
would become the next  revolution  in surveying  equipment  and a basic tool for
surveyors," said Tristan Grimbert,  CEO of MENSI.  "Trimble is the perfect match
for MENSI to integrate 3D  terrestrial  laser  scanning into regular  day-to-day
surveying operations."

     MENSI will  operate as a wholly  owned  subsidiary  and Trimble  intends to
recognize its revenues under the company's Engineering and Construction business
segment.

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About MENSI

     MENSI,  founded in 1986 and  located in  Fontenay-sous-Bois,  France,  is a
leading 3D laser-scanning company. MENSI 3D scanning tools, use laser technology
to capture the shapes of  physical  structures  or scenes and convert  them into
digital format for follow-on data editing or direct analysis.  MENSI's RealWorks
Survey software  incorporates a series of precision tools particularly suited to
2D and 3D civil survey applications, and offers numerous deliverables for direct
output or export to major CAD packages. For enhanced 3D modeling requirements in
Power & Process,  manufacturing  etc., MENSI's 3Dipsos software package includes
sophisticated  processing,  modeling,  meshing  and  imaging  tools  as  well as
intelligent outputs to the major plant design software.

For more information, visit MENSI's Web site at:  www.mensi.com.

About Trimble

     Trimble  is  a  leading  innovator  of  Global   Positioning  System  (GPS)
technology.  In addition to providing advanced GPS components,  Trimble augments
GPS with other positioning  technologies as well as wireless  communications and
software to create complete customer solutions. Trimble's worldwide presence and
unique  capabilities  position  the Company for growth in emerging  applications
including surveying,  automobile navigation,  machine guidance,  asset tracking,
wireless platforms, and telecommunications  infrastructure.  Founded in 1978 and
headquartered  in Sunnyvale,  Calif.,  Trimble has more than 2,000  employees in
more than 20 countries worldwide.

     For an interactive  look at company news and products,  visit Trimble's Web
site at: www.trimble.com.

     Certain   statements  made  in  this  press  release  are  forward  looking
statements  within the meaning of Section 27A of the  Securities Act of 1933 and
Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and are made pursuant to the
safe harbor  provisions of the Securities  Litigation  Reform Act of 1995.  This
press  release  contains  forward-looking  statements  that  include  risks  and
uncertainties  concerning  the  expected  financial  performance  of  the  MENSI
acquisition, as well as Trimble's strategic and operational plans to develop new
products  using the MENSI  platform.  Actual  results  may differ from those set
forth in this press  release due to certain risks and  uncertainties,  including
the  ability  to  achieve  market  acceptance  of  product  offerings  from  the
acquisition  and the risks  inherent in  acquiring  and  integrating  a company,
unanticipated  expenditures  and changing  relationships  with customers.  Among
other things,  economic  trends and  additional  competitive  issues may have an
adverse effect on the success of the proposed acquisition. These and other risks
are  detailed  from  time to time in  reports  filed  with  the  SEC,  including
Trimble's quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and its annual report on Form 10-K. The
consummation of the acquisition is subject to certain closing conditions and may
not be consummated on the terms proposed or at all.

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