GE Fanuc buys embedded computing connectivity firm

Charlottesville, VA—To increase its capabilities with new products and grow in its $9-billion industry segment, GE Fanuc Automation North America Inc. announced March 17 that it has acquired Ramix Inc. (Ventura, CA).

By Control Engineering Staff March 17, 2003

Charlottesville, VA— To increase its capabilities with new products and grow in its $9-billion industry segment, GE Fanuc Automation North America Inc. Ramix Inc.

GE Fanuc will combine Ramix’s product lines with its present offeringa to create an embedded systems group, which will be headquartered in Huntsville, AL.

‘GE Industrial Systems is committed to acquiring and developing essential, growth technologies that provide peace of mind for people, their workplaces and their properties,’ says Lloyd Trotter, GE Industrial Systems’ president and ceo. ‘Ramix enhances our profitable growth in the embedded systems market, and adds value to our expanding product offerings for customers. Embedded computing technologies will help us offer new innovative solutions for customers in energy management, automation and security, including trace detection systems and more.’

Ramix designs and manufactures embedded switches; 10/100/1000-based Ethernet cards; network processors; server blades; serial I/O; PMC expansion devices; and a variety of PCMCIA, memory and storage modules. The company reports that it pioneered the concept of embedded Ethernet switching, and now offers a comprehensive selection of 10/100 and Gigabit Ethernet switching products.

‘Acquiring Ramix strategically positions GE Fanuc for continued profitable growth in the $9-billion embedded systems segment,’ says Jeff Garwood, GE Fanuc’s president and ceo. ‘As a technology leader, Ramix expands GE’s embedded computing capabilities and

Saeed Karamooz, Ramix’s president and ceo, adds that, ‘We’re excited about the opportunity to join the GE organization with its longstanding record of inventiveness and commitment to integrity. Ramix has an unprecedented opportunity to grow with GE as a preeminent provider of embedded computing solutions. The benefits to Ramix’s customers will be significant, including a broader range of products and outstanding worldwide support.’

Control Engineering Daily News DeskJim Montague, news editor jmontague@reeedbusiness.com