Schneider Electric Acquires Online Process Analyzer Firm

Energy management and automation company Schneider Electric acquired Applied Instrument Technologies Inc. (AIT), an Upland, CA-based provider of online process analyzers for the hydrocarbon, petrochemical, chemical, pharmaceutical, and steel industries, the companies announced by press release Monday.

The acquisition is a new asset in Schneider Electric’s process automation portfolio, which includes Foxboro plant instrumentation, Foxboro and Plant Struxure PES process automation systems, Modicon PAC systems, and Triconex safety systems. AIT states that its technology helps companies comply with environmental regulations, protect assets, and improve process optimization.

“AIT enhances our portfolio and strengthens our position as one of the world’s leading providers of process automation systems, solutions, and services,” said Gary Freburger, president of Schneider Electric’s Automation business, in a statement. “Growing our capabilities is a critical part of our strategy to help our customers transform their businesses, improve their operational profitability, and realize the future of automation.”

Proceeded by a partnership established between the companies in 2015, Schneider Electric said the acquisition will help the company penetrate fuels blending, petrochemicals, and gas processing sectors.

“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,” said Craig Resnick, vice president of ARC Advisory Group. “ARC expects these complimentary 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,” said Resnick.

The companies expect the integration to be complete in late 2017.

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