Siemens is setting up a global organisation for users of its MindSphere cloud-based open IoT operating system, in partnership with 18 companies, including Festo, Heitec, Kuka, Rittal, Sick and Trumpf. The aim is to expand the global reach of the ecosystem based on MindSphere.
Three Japanese companies – Fanuc, Hitachi and Preferred Networks (PFN) – are establishing a joint venture company to develop “the world’s most advanced” intelligent edge systems using AI (artificial intelligence) technologies to achieve cyclic, real-time control by linking edge devices such as industrial machines, machine tools and robots to the cloud. They will also work on other next-generation control systems.
The American power transmission and water management corporation, Rexnord, is buying the German mechanical couplings manufacturer, Centa Power Transmission (Centa Antriebe Kirschey), for an undisclosed sum. The deal, which is expected to close by the end of February, will add about $100m of revenues to Rexnord’s existing $1.9bn.
Siemens, Rolls-Royce, and Airbus have formed a partnership to develop a partly electric powered passenger aircraft as a step towards a new generation of commercial aircraft with hybrid-electric propulsion. By 2020, they are planning to fly a testbed aircraft in which one of the four gas turbine engines has been replaced by a 2MW electric motor.
The Brazilian motor manufacturer WEG has invested more than €30m to build a new plant in Portugal where it will produce standard and customised low-voltage motors, mainly for the European market. The factory – WEG’s largest in Europe – is a further step in WEG’s expansion of its European operations, which has included the acquisition in recent years of the Austrian company Watt Drive, two German companies, Katt and Württembergische Elektromotoren, and Autrial in Spain.
The Japanese electric motor-maker Nidec is setting up a joint venture with Europe’s second-largest automotive manufacturer, Groupe PSA, to design, develop, manufacture and sell electric traction motors. The partners are investing an initial €220m in the as-yet-unnamed business, which will combine PSA’s automotive experience with Nidec Leroy-Somer’s expertise in electric motors and related equipment.
UPDATED: Emerson has withdrawn its latest $29bn bid for Rockwell Automation "due to the Rockwell board of directors' continued unwilingness to engage in discussions about a potential combination".
Eaton is entering the enclosed drives market in the EMEA region and is launching this extended capability at this month’s SPS IPC Drives exhibition in Germany. The company will offer combinations of drives, protection and control equipment built into pre-wired and tested cabinets, which can be configured to user requirements. The range will cover power ratings from 18.5–630kW, 400V.
The FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in the US have issued a warning about an “advanced persistent threat” that, since at least May 2017, has been targeting government bodies, critical manufacturing sectors, and organisations in the energy, water and aviation sectors. They say that, working with US and international partners, they have identified victims in these sectors that have been subjected to a multi-stage intrusion process which first targets low-security and small networks to gain access, and then moves onto networks of major, high-value-asset owners.
UPDATED: Following Rockwell Automation’s recent rejection of a $27bn bid from Emerson for its business, Emerson has increased its offer to $29bn. Emerson is proposing to acquire all of Rockwell’s shares for $225 per share, consisting of $135 in cash and $90 in Emerson shares.
Rockwell Automation has revealed that it has rejected at least two attempts by Emerson to acquire its business. In August, Emerson made an unsolicited bid, offering $200 per Rockwell Automation share, with approximately half of the offer in cash and half in Emerson shares. After Rockwell rejected this bid, Emerson made an increased offer on 10 October, consisting of $107.50 per share in cash and 225 million shares of Emerson common stock, worth about $107.50 per share.
Danfoss is buying Visedo Oy, a Finnish developer of smart hybrid and electric drivetrains for commercial vehicles, heavy-duty machinery and marine applications. The terms of the deal have not been released.
Pentair plc is spinning off its electrical activities – including the Schroff, Hoffman, Caddy, Erico, Raychem and Tracer brands – into a new company to be called nVent Electric. Its water activities will retain the Pentair name. The separation into two independent, publicly-traded companies is due to be completed in the second quarter of 2018.
Apple and GE have formed a partnership to deliver industrial apps that will bring predictive data and analytics from Predix, GE’s industrial Internet of Things (IoT) platform, to Apple's iPhones and iPads. The two companies have unveiled a software development kit (SDK) for Apple's iOS operating system, that gives developers the tools to make their own Predix-based industrial IoT apps.
Toyota Motor Corporation and Hitachi are collaborating to build an efficient production model based on Hitachi’s Lumada IoT (Internet of Things) platform, which incorporates technologies such as AI (artificial intelligence) and big data analysis.
