Various suppliers announce mergers

Staff -- Control Engineering, 8/1/2006

Recent mergers activities include the following.

• Ametek Inc. expands its analytical instrument platform with its acquisition of Land Instruments International Ltd., a global supplier of high-end analytical instrumentation. Headquartered in Dronfield, U.K., Land Instruments has annual sales of approximately £22 million ($41 million) and was acquired from an investor group led by 3i plc. Land Instruments joins Ametek's Electronic Instruments Group, which had 2005 sales of about $809 million.
• Dassault Systèmes has completed its merger with MatrixOne, enabling Dassault Systèmes' new PLM Collaborative Environment portfolio to take the Enovia brand name. The merger broadens industry coverage with high-tech, semiconductor, apparel, and consumer goods areas.
• K-Tek LLC level instrumentation vendor is acquiring Beta B.V., a Dutch manufacturer of pressure and temperature switches. Beta serves most industry sectors with a broad product line. It operates throughout Europe, Asia, and portions of the Middle East. K-Tek plans to offer Beta products through its distribution network in the Americas and in selected countries in Asia and the Middle East.
• Molex Inc. and Woodhead Industries Inc. plan to merge. Molex will acquire Woodhead for $19.25 per share in cash, about $256 million, including payments on outstanding stock options, debt, and net of cash acquired. Boards of directors of both companies have approved. Woodhead's board of directors unanimously recommended that Woodhead stockholders accept the offer. Molex, based in Lisle, IL, is a 67-year-old manufacturer of electronic components. Woodhead, based in Deerfield, IL, develops, manufactures, and markets network and electrical infrastructure products.