Schneider Electric acquires Applied Instrument Technologies
Schneider Electric has acquired Applied Instrument Technologies (AIT), a provider of online process analyzers for the hydrocarbon, petrochemical, chemical, pharmaceutical and steel-making industries. The acquisition adds to Schneider Electric’s process automation portfolio that already includes Foxboro plant instrumentation, Foxboro and PlantStruxure PES process automation systems, Modicon PAC systems and Triconex safety systems.
Based in Upland, Calif., AIT has an installed base of more than 1,000 systems and a breadth of spectroscopy and chromatography solutions, including a comprehensive portfolio of process analyzers and associated implementation services. Its technology improves process optimization, asset protection and compliance with environmental regulations, allowing customers to better manage and improve their operational profitability.
Company leaders said the addition of AIT improves Schneider Electric’s competitiveness and its ability to deliver broad, multi-stream, multi-component analytical systems with less project risk and execution time. As a single source provider, the combined offering provides additional flexibility in terms of how the company can price, position and package its process automation solutions. The acquisition builds on a partnership the two companies established in 2015.
“As a trusted partner, AIT enabled us to offer one integrated solution for enhanced process analysis, control and asset protection, improving efficiencies and adding significant value for our customers,” said Chris Lyden, senior vice president, Process Automation, Schneider Electric. “Formally adding them to our business not only increases the value we are able to provide to existing strategic accounts, it fortifies us in new markets. In short, we’ll be able to bring far more business value to customers we already share while enhancing our cross-selling abilities and opportunities.”
Experts believe the acquisition also provides Schneider Electric the ability to extend its process measurement, automation and safety solutions to a broader customer base, especially in fuels blending, petrochemicals and gas processing.
“This acquisition helps to advance Schneider Electric’s position in the refining, petrochemical and gas processing markets, enabling a more integrated and scalable control, safety and measurement portfolio,” according to Craig Resnick, vice president, ARC Advisory Group. “ARC expects these complementary offerings will enable additional customer value, especially safety, reliability and efficiency gains for both customer sets, helping Schneider Electric’s customers to become more cost-competitive and reduce risk and execution time on projects. The acquisition also opens up additional services, R&D and global execution capabilities for existing AIT customers, while improving AIT’s abilities to fulfill major projects.”
AIT and its offerings will be fully integrated into Schneider Electric’s process automation business and will continue to be managed by its existing executive team.
The integration will be finalized in late 2017.
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