Announced in late January, HMS Industrial Networks (www.hms.se) has acquired IXXAT Automation, a supplier of communication technology for industrial automation, machine manufacturing and the automotive industry. Ixxat was founded in 1987 and is headquartered in Weingarten, Germany, with sales of more than 50 million Euro.
“IXXAT’s products and services are great supplements to HMS’s business,” says Staffan Dahlström, ceo, HMS Industrial Networks. Their strong product offering and market position will strengthen our presence especially in Central Europe.” HMS offers the Anybus Communicator line of intelligent protocol converters and the Anybus Communicator for Profinet connects automation devices with a serial interface (RS-232/422/485) to Profinet.
With the addition of 50 new development engineers (from the IXXAT Automation acquisition), HMS’s overall development resources will be strengthened both when it comes to headcount and experience. The acquisition also gives HMS the opportunity to market their products towards new segments such as medical equipment and the automotive industry, says the company.
IXXAT is known for its hardware and software solutions with CAN, EtherCAT-, Powerlink and FlexRay- communication technology, but also made news at the recent 2012 Pack Expo show in Chicago by co-announcing a protocol stack for CIP safety on Sercos. Beside the software development, IXXAT also provides various services regarding CIP safety technology, such as consulting, code introduction, integration workshops, implementation support of the CIP Safety software in customer-specific hardware and software, and assistance in final device certification. The company tecnhnology offering includes customized hardware components within embedded subsystems as well as complete embedded system solutions for industries such as medical, power generation and automotive.
“We see great opportunities to further widen the market for our product offering by getting access to HMS’s well-established global sales channels,” says Christian Schlegel, managing director, IXXAT Automation. HMS’s hi-tech product platforms will also be great assets for our ongoing development projects and for new technologies.”
HMS Industrial Networks development and manufacturing take place at the headquarters in Halmstad, Sweden.
