February 2020

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION is buying the Israeli cyber-security provider Avnet Data Security for an undisclosed sum. Avnet, founded in 1995, offers IT/OT (information technology/ operational technology) cyber-services including assessments, penetration testing, network and security systems, training, and converged IT/OT managed services. Its Israeli- based team includes dozens of cyber experts, trainers, consultants, researchers and systems integration engineers. “Avnet’s combination of service delivery, training, research, and managed services will enable us to service a much larger set of customers globally, while also continuing to accelerate our portfolio development in this rapidly developing market,” says Frank Kulaszewicz, Rockwell’s senior vice-president for Control Products & Solutions. Cybersecurity is one of the fastest-growing parts of Rockwell Automation’s services business. As manufacturing industry has become more connected, physical security strategies are no longer enough to protect production operations. Avnet’s knowledge and experience will support Rockwell’s strategic objective of achieving double-digit growth in Information Solutions and Connected Services by expanding its IT/OT cyber and network expertise globally. The transaction is expected to close soon, subject to customary approvals and conditions. It is not expected to have a material impact on Rockwell’s 2020 financial results. EATON IS SELLING its hydraulics business to Danfoss for $3.3bn in cash, boosting the size of to the Danish group by about one third. The business, which accounted for 86% of Eaton’s hydraulics revenues in 2019, is a global leader in hydraulics components, systems, and services for industrial and mobile equipment. The business had sales worth $2.2bn in 2019 and employs around 11,000 people. It will be transferred into Danfoss Power Solutions, doubling the size of Danfoss’ hydraulics operation. Danfoss currently has around 28,000 employees worldwide and its 2019 sales were €6.3bn ($7bn). Eaton is keeping its filtration and golf grip businesses, which currently report as part of its hydraulics operations. “Today’s announcement is part of the ongoing transformation of Eaton into a higher-growth company with better earnings consistency,” says Eaton’s chairman and CEO, Craig Arnold. “We believe Eaton’s hydraulics business will benefit greatly from being part of a company that has hydraulics at its core. “When complete,” he adds, “this deal will bring together two talented teams with deep hydraulics knowledge and expertise. And Eaton’s hydraulics team will be part of a company that is committed to becoming a global leader in mobile and industrial hydraulics. The combined business will also benefit customers and distributors by offering industry-leading technology and a much broader portfolio of hydraulic solutions.” Danfoss says the acquisition is in line with its strategy of strengthening its core businesses and enhancing customer value. “Today, we take a significant and transformational step in creating a global leader in mobile and industrial hydraulics,” says Danfoss president and CEO, Kim Fausing. “It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to combine our largely complementary portfolios and geographic footprints. “Eaton Hydraulics is a highly respected player in the global industry, recognised for its dedicated people and strong brands,” he adds. “By combining the knowledge and experience of the two businesses, our customers will benefit from unmatched expertise from a single partner. With this agreement, we continue to invest in our core hydraulics business and digital solutions to stay a strong technology partner.” Danfoss CEO Kim Fausing: a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity n NEWS 6 February 2020 www.drivesncontrols.com Eaton sells its hydraulics business to Danfoss for $3.3bn Rockwell buys Avnet to boost its cyber-security capabilities p Spending on industrial software applications such as ERP, MES, MOM, PLM, CRM and demand planning, will expand from $18bn in 2019 to $27bn by 2014, according to a new report from ABI Research . ERP systems account for more than half of the market and are attractive because they allow users to monitor production line activities, understand their ability to fulfil orders, and automate back-office functions. www.abiresearch.com p ABB has appointed Yorkshire- based SMS Machine Automation as its first Value Provider – Technical Distributor for its motion control products in the UK. SMS previously had “System Integrator” status. It expects that the new status will increase its turnover, and it is planning to take on more staff. p The US robotics developer Soft Robotics has raised $23m in an oversubscribed funding round. New investors include Fanuc , which joins existing investors such as Honeywell and Yamaha . Soft Robotics’ grasping, machine vision and software technologies can manipulate items that vary in size, shape and weight. One big potential market is handling returned items for online retailers. Soft Robotics has formed a strategic venture with Fanuc to integrate its mGrip adjustable gripper system with Fanuc’s robots. p The German electrical company Wieland has created a new business area called Industry Solutions that will cover safety technology, industrial communications and electrical connection technologies. Wieland has also agreed to cooperate with the Danish company PR electronics in the area of safe analogue value processing. p Universal Robots has launched a cobot (collaborative robot) leasing programme in collaboration with the financing company DLL . The partnership will allow manufacturers, regardless of their size or budgets, to adopt cobots. At the end of the finance term, the users will have options to buy the equipment at a reduced price, upgrade to a newer technology, or return the equipment. p Crouzet Automatismes of France has acquired the Swiss manufacturer of precision electromechanical components, Microprecision Electronics . Microprecision makes precise snap- action switches and accurate position sensors. p Wesco International , a supplier of electrical, industrial and communications MRO and OEM products, has agreed to merge with Anixter , which distributes network and security systems, electrical and electronics systems, and power utility systems. The transaction is worth around $4.5bn and ends an earlier deal under which Clayton, Dubilier & Rice was going to acquire Anixter.

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