Emerson to buy General Electric’s PLC business

Acquisition increases Emerson’s capabilities as a complete automation solutions provider across process, hybrid and discrete end markets

Emerson, a provider of automation for process and industrial applications, has agreed to acquire Intelligent Platforms, a division of General Electric.

Intelligent Platforms’ programmable logic controller technologies will enable Emerson to provide its customers with broader control and management of their operations.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed. 

The acquisition expands opportunities for Emerson in machine control and discrete applications across process industries and target hybrid markets, such as metals & mining, life sciences, food and beverage and packaging.

By interfacing Intelligent Platforms’ PLC technology with Emerson’s leading distributed control systems, customers will be able to connect “islands of automation” within the plant to further enhance operational performance, safety and reliability.

Both Emerson and Intelligent Platforms are focused on leveraging automation technologies to drive digital transformation in their end markets.

Intelligent Platforms recently developed a new family of cloud-connected controllers and devices to enable smarter plants, a strong complement to Emerson’s focus on digital transformation and the industrial internet of things through its Plantweb digital ecosystem.

Emerson CEO David Farr says: “Adding GE’s Intelligent Platforms business makes Emerson an even stronger player in the automation space and expands our capabilities to serve the needs across process, hybrid and discrete markets.

“This is another important investment in our global portfolio of automation technologies, offering discrete and machine control capabilities that complement our process control expertise to provide better solutions to our customers.”