Instrumentation and controls company Spectris PLC (LON:SXS) said it bought N-TRON Corporation, a US-based manufacturer of rugged industrial networking components, for US$51 million.
N-TRON is based in Mobile, Alabama, USA, and employs around 60 people. The acquisition is in line with Spectris' strategy to grow its key strategic business segments.
N-TRON manufactures Ethernet switches - the products used to connect multiple Ethernet devices to each other and to build network infrastructure - and associated components for the industrial, infrastructure and power generation markets.
N-TRON will become part of the Industrial Controls segment and will operate in close co-operation with Red Lion Controls, which provides operator interface products, whilst maintaining its own brand and sales structure.
Spectris chief executive John O'Higgins said: "The acceptance of Ethernet in the industrial market for integrating shop-floor information within the business IT infrastructure is rapidly increasing. N-TRON's hardware capabilities will enable us to leverage Red Lion's communications technologies to meet this demand and to build our position in the industrial controls market around the world."
Spectris operates across four business segments: Materials Analysis, Test and Measurement, In-line Instrumentation and Industrial Controls. Headquartered in Egham, Surrey, the company employs approximately 5,800 people, with offices in 29 countries.