New contracts, acquisitions, mergers and tools for the process industries

Feb. 10, 2016
2016 brought new mergers, partnership and tools for many automation leaders. Find out what Advantech, Rittal and Johnson Controls have been up to lately.
  • Industrial computer manufacturer Advantech reported Jan. 12 that it’s completed its almost $100 million acquisition of networking specialist B+B SmartWorx, and that it’s renaming the firm Advantech B+B SmartWorx, as well as assigning it to lead Advantech’s Intelligent Networking business.
  • Control room furniture builder Evosite LLC has been awarded a multi-year contract to manufacture Knürr Technical Furniture GmbH’s lines of Synergy consoles in North America. The contract provides for standard and customizable solutions for several markets, particularly process automation and control.
  • Enclosure manufacturer Rittal Corp. has created an online selector tool to use when specifying and ordering racks and cabinets. Created as part of Rittal’s online support programs for its TS 8 enclosure system, the tool is at www.rittal.com/de_de/ts8_se8_configurator.
  • Johnson Controls and Tyco announced Jan. 25 that they’ve agreed to merge to create the leader in building products and technology, integrated solutions and energy storage. According to their unanimous agreement, Johnson Controls’ shareholders will own approximately 56% of the new company and receive about $3.9 billion in aggregated cash, while current Tyco shareholders will own approximately 44%. The deal is expected to close at the end of 2016.
  • Phoenix Contact USA is partnering with exida LLC to provide functional safety and cybersecurity assessments.
  • To combine software and consultancy, and create value for the oil and gas industry, Aspen Technology Inc. reported Jan. 12 that its U.K.-based ATI Global Optimisation Ltd. subsidiary plans to buy KBC Advanced Technologies plc for about $230 million.