Rockwell Makes Power Quality Bid

March 13, 2012
Rockwell Automation Boost Its Power Quality Solutions Portfolio by Purchasing the Assets of SoftSwitching Technologies

Rockwell Automation has purchased the assets of SoftSwitching Technologies, which provides industrial power quality detection and protection systems.

SoftSwitching Technologies’ solutions improve uptime in manufacturing production by identifying and correcting voltage sags, brief power disruptions. Typically, voltage sags can cause computerized machinery to go offline, precision instruments to fail, and control systems to shut down. These problems can be extremely costly for customers, particularly in the semiconductor, automotive, food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries.

“Brief power disruptions account for up to 70% of all unscheduled downtime in manufacturing today,” said Bob Lennon, vice president of industrial components for Rockwell Automation. “Studies show that most of these events are caused by voltage sags lasting less than 2 seconds. SoftSwitching Technologies’ products strengthen our capabilities in plantwide optimization, complement our current power quality solutions, and protect our customers’ manufacturing assets.”

SoftSwitching Technologies will be aligned within the Rockwell Automation Control Products & Solutions operating segment. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.