Rockwell makes machine safety acquisition

Rockwell Automation announces that it has reached a definitive agreement to acquire the Safety and Automation business of Switzerland’s Cedes. Safety and measuring light curtains, as well as other safety and non-safety optoelectronics, control units and related accessories for industrial applications comprise the product range of the acquired business, which will be included in the Architecture and Software operating segment. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

“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, 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”