Softing AG, global provider of products for industrial automation and for automotive electronics, announced the acquisition of Online Development Inc. (OLDI), an original design manufacturer (ODM) that designs and builds industrial products for leading factory automation companies. OLDI will operate as an entity under Softing North American Holding Inc., a 100 percent subsidiary of Softing AG. The deal was announced in May.
“OLDI’s 25 years of experience in developing factory automation modules and Softing’s industrial communications expertise offer customers a powerful combination of market-leading products and product development capabilities,” said Dr. Wolfgang Trier, CEO of Softing AG. “Moreover, with this acquisition, we can handle everything from device-level I/O to enterprise-wide communications.”
Industrial data communication between fieldbus devices, controllers and hosts has been the core business of Softing AG for more than 30 years. Headquartered in Haar near Munich, Germany, Softing Industrial Automation GmbH uses standardized technologies in the field of process engineering applications and discrete manufacturing. It provides hardware, software and comprehensive integration services for fieldbus technology, Industrial Ethernet, and OPC.
Ron Monday, CEO of OLDI, said, “Softing’s software development and communications products are a great fit with OLDI’s product development skills in computing, communications and I/O modules. OLDI will continue as an ODM developing products for market leading companies under their brands.”
Founded in 1989, OLDI makes factory automation products to help customers simplify data transfer, control and communications tasks. Under the OLDI brand, the company also sells products such as Enterprise Appliance Transaction Modules (eATMs) and open control products. Its tManager product, for example, continuously records and stores all parameters and data in a flash drive, helping ensure consistency of taste and quality of food and beverage products should a connection fail.
OLDI’s headquarters will remain in the U.S., in Knoxville, Tenn. OLDI-branded products will continue to be sold and supported by current channel partners, including Rockwell Automation.
In separate news, Ken Hoover, president of Softing North America, recently joined the Board of Directors of the trade organization for Profibus and Profinet industrial networking technologies.
