Emerson has moved to boost further its factory automation capabilities with the series of acquisitions recently. Particularly, the company will get hold of Afag Holding AG, which is in electric linear motion, feeding, and handling automation solutions. Meanwhile, it will also acquire FLEXIM Flexible In Industriemeßtechnik GmbH, a major player in clamp-on ultrasonic flow measurement for liquids, gases, and steam.

Accelerates FA Growth

Headquartered in Zell, Switzerland, Afag brings state-of-the-art technology and innovation to Emerson. Accordingly, the transaction will enhance Emerson’s capabilities in factory automation, one of the company’s four priority adjacencies. Furthermore, creating a leading motion portfolio combining Afag’s electric linear motion solutions with Emerson’s pneumatic motion technology.

Afag serves customers in attractive, growing end segments including battery manufacturing, automotive, packaging, medical, life sciences, and electronics. The electric linear motion segment expands Emerson’s served market by more than US$9 billion.

“Afag brings exciting technology that will enable Emerson to accelerate growth in our existing $900 million factory automation business,” said Ram Krishnan, chief operating officer of Emerson.

In addition, Krishnan said, “As discrete and hybrid customers continue to accelerate electrification across their manufacturing processes, Afag’s technology ideally suits to provide improved energy efficiency and performance gains. We look forward to combining Afag’s motion capabilities with our existing pneumatic leadership, creating a unique and differentiated solution for our customers. Afag and its employees will play an important role in enhancing Emerson’s strength and innovation in factory automation.”

Expands Automation, Measurement Capabilities

On the other hand, Headquartered in Berlin, Germany, Flexim brings highly differentiated, complementary technology and strong customer relationships to Emerson. Particularly, the German company has an installed base of more than 100,000 flowmeters, as well as approximately 450 employees.

Flexim provides highly accurate, low-maintenance clamp-on ultrasonic flow measurement technology for a broad range of attractive end markets. This includes chemical, water & wastewater, life sciences, food & beverage, and power generation. The transaction will expand Emerson’s automation portfolio and measurement capabilities, complementing its existing flow measurement positions in Coriolis, differential pressure, magmeter, and vortex flow measurement. Furthermore, underpinned by favorable end-market growth and technology leadership, the global ultrasonic clamp-on flowmeter market will grow in the high single digits annually longer-term.