Danaher Motion buys Motion Engineering; Neff Antriebstechnik Automation

Wood Dale, IL; Santa Barbara, CA—To strengthen its multi-axis control solutions, Danaher Motion reports that it has purchased Motion Engineering Inc. (MEI), and also bought Neff Antriebstechnik Automation GmbH, which manufactures linear motion components, assemblies and systems.

By Control Engineering Staff May 11, 2004

Wood Dale, IL; Santa Barbara, CA— To strengthen its multi-axis control solutions, Danaher Motion reports that it has purchased Motion Engineering Inc. (MEI), which develops networked motion control solutions. MEI is a global supplier to high-volume OEMs in electronic assembly, semiconductor manufacturing, and medical equipment.

Phil Strong, MEI’s CEO, will lead Danaher’s newly formed Motion Control Systems Center of Excellence and report to John Stroup, Danaher Motion’s group executive.

“The acquisition of MEI strengthens our controls product offering adding a strategic compo-nent to our growing family of motion control systems and components,” says Stroup. “In addition to their leadership in PC-based motion control products and network technology, MEI also has strong relationships with several leading OEM machine builders in Japan, which will help us to strengthen our sales and marketing efforts in this important manufacturing region.”

Strong adds that, “MEI is recognized as a leader in developing open and robust performance motion control solutions for leading OEM machine developers. Our SynqNet motion platforms, advanced tools and engineering services are a perfect complement to Danaher Motion’s broad offering of servo and mechanical products.”

Because machine designers demand high performance, fast time-to-market and low cost, MEI reports that its solutions allows machine developers to tightly integrate a powerful suite of motion control functions with I/O, vision, user interface and process control, all in one PC environment. SynqNet, MEI’s performance motion network, offers true plug-and-play communications between the controller, drives and I/O. Several leading servo manufacturers have adopted the SynqNet standard, and Danaher Motion intends to build upon the installed base of 35,000 axes by expanding the circle of SynqNet partners.

In other news, Danaher Motion also recently completed its purchase of Neff Antriebstechnik Automation GmbH, located in Waldenbuch, Germany. Neff is reported to be one of Germany’s leading manufacturers of linear motion components, assemblies and systems, including ball screws, lead screws, worm gear screw jacks, linear actuators and stages. Neff’s products will complement Danaher’s Thomson linear motion products.

‘Acquiring Neff will expand our capability to provide the market with an unrivalled range of linear motion components, actuators and systems, and strengthens our position in offering what we believe to be the most diverse range of cost-effective motors, drives and custom solutions to a wide range of applications and end-markets’ adds Mike Schulte, president of Danaher Linear Motion Systems. ‘Danaher Motion and Neff have product offerings and capabilities that are highly complementary. Combining Danaher Motion’s existing motion control technologies and proven capabilities in applying the Danaher Business System with Neff’s technological position in linear products will assure customers the most cost-effective, highest-quality, and shortest-lead time linear solutions available today.’

Danaher adds that buying Neff continues a longstanding relationship between the companies. Neff has used Danaher Motion’s Kollmorgen brand servomotors and drives for many years along with its own linear products to provide complete motion systems. The acquisition will enable Neff’s customers to benefit from the much greater range of products from Danaher Motion.

Founded in 1905, Neff employs approximately 120 people in Waldenbuch; exports to 30 countries; and is certified to DIN EN ISO 9001:2000. Neff offers a range of systems and components for linear motion including Wiesel brand linear modules, ball screws, worm gear screw jacks and mechanical linear drive units.

Danaher Motion is a

Control Engineering Daily News DeskJim Montague, news editorjmontague@reedbusiness.com