Empresas y finanzas

Rockwell Automation To Acquire CEDES´ Safety and Automation Business, a Leading European Safety Light Curtain and Optoelectronic Sensor Supplier



    Rockwell Automation, Inc. (NYSE: ROK) announced today that it has
    reached a definitive agreement to acquire the Safety and Automation
    business of CEDES AG. CEDES´ Safety and Automation business is a
    leading supplier of safety and measuring light curtains, as well as
    other safety and non-safety optoelectronics, control units and related
    accessories for industrial applications. Terms of the transaction were
    not disclosed.

    The CEDES Safety and Automation business is headquartered in
    Landquart, Switzerland with sales offices primarily across Europe. The
    business unit being acquired includes products, technology,
    development engineering, marketing, sales and distribution to serve
    the industrial safety and automation markets.

    "As the global leader in the process and machine safety market,
    Rockwell Automation´s acquisition of CEDES´ Safety and Automation
    business will enhance a strategic segment within our product
    portfolio," said Steve Eisenbrown, senior vice president of Rockwell
    Automation. "Optoelectronic safety sensors, which include light
    curtains, are one of the largest product segments of the machine
    safety market. This acquisition will expand our comprehensive breadth
    of competitive machine safety solutions for our customers worldwide."

    Beat De Coi, CEDES chairman and founder, said: "For 20 years, we
    have specialized in developing innovative optical sensor technologies
    for a wide range of applications including industrial safety and
    automation markets. Combining these capabilities with Rockwell
    Automation´s global leadership in industrial automation control and
    information systems will enable more manufacturers around the world to
    help protect their workers from machinery and equipment accidents."

    Subject to satisfaction of customary closing conditions, Rockwell
    Automation expects the transaction to be completed early in the second
    calendar quarter of 2008. After the acquisition is complete, customers
    can continue to purchase products through the current distribution
    network of CEDES´ Safety and Automation business. As products become
    available under the Allen-Bradley brand, customers will also be able
    to purchase them through the Rockwell Automation distribution network.

    CEDES´ Safety and Automation business will be included in the
    Architecture and Software operating segment.

    Rockwell Automation, Inc. (NYSE: ROK), is a leading global
    provider of industrial automation control and information systems and
    services that help manufacturers achieve a competitive advantage in
    their businesses. The company brings together leading brands in
    industrial automation, including Allen-Bradley controls and services
    and Rockwell Software factory management software. Headquartered in
    Milwaukee, Wis., the company employs about 20,000 people serving
    customers in more than 80 countries.