Control and Imaging' Strengthened Its Portfolio

Rockwell Automation, Inc. (NYSE: ROK) announced that it has signed an agreement to acquire ASEM S.p.A., a pioneer in the supply of digital automation technologies based in Italy. ASEM offers a full range of industrial PCs (IPCs), Human-Machine Interface (HMI) hardware and software, remote access capabilities and secure Industrial IoT gateway solutions.

ASEM's high-performance automation solutions bring the Connected Enterprise to life with intelligent technologies and efficiency gains, and create a safer environment by integrating smart devices, control platforms, and design and operations software on a single network.

Commenting on the acquisition,
Fran Wlodarczyk, Senior Vice President, Architecture & Software, Rockwell Automation, said: "ASEM's strength in the IPC market and its expertise in HMI will further strengthen our ability to provide high-performance integrated automation solutions by expanding our Control & Imaging hardware and software portfolio. ASEM's products will enable our customers who need high configuration for their industrial computing needs, providing them with innovative hardware and software options, enabling them to reach market faster, reduce total cost of ownership, improve asset utilization and better manage enterprise risk."

Renzo Guerra, Founder, President and CEO of ASEM, evaluated the decision with the following words: "ASEM is the market leader in Italy and has a proven brand quality. With our expertise in the design and manufacture of industrial PCs and industrial software, we are delighted to be able to expand Rockwell Automation's Control & Imaging solutions and have the opportunity to accelerate our customers' digital transformation. The acquisition will also include a minority stake in ASEM by Germany-based KEB Group. In addition, Rockwell Automation will maintain ASEM's strategic supplier and technology partner relationship with KEB. It states that the acquisition is subject to the approval of the authorities and the conditions, is expected to be completed in spring 2020 and will be reported under the Architecture & Software segment."

Rockwell Automation will share more information at the Barclays and Citi investor conferences in Miami, Florida on February 19 and 20.