When Honeywell announced its acquisition of First Technology plc in late March it was already planning to sell First's Safety & Analysis business. The divestiture happened immediately; Honeywell was interested in First Technology's other two divisions, Gas Sensing and Automotive & Special Products—but especially Gas Sensing, which Honeywell is now integrating into its Automation and Control Solutions (ACS) business. "This acquisition strengthens Honeywell's presence in the fast-growing gas detection segment, which we entered last year when we acquired Zellweger Analytics," said CEO Dave Cote.
MSI Hot for Temperature
Just a few days later, Measurement Specialties Inc. (MSI) acquired BetaTHERM of Galway, Ireland, and YSI Temperature of Ohio to establish a new temperature sensor product line. Both provide precision thermistors and custom probes for aerospace, medical, and industrial applications; BetaTHERM also serves the automotive and consumer goods markets.
Temperature, "the most commonly measured physical characteristic . . . has been a gap in our technology portfolio," said Frank Guidone, MSI's CEO. Observers wonder how MSI will integrate two divergent cultures, but Guidone says there are "strong synergies" and that his company will be "a formidable player."
Motorola Drives Off Automotive
To explain Motorola's decision to sell its automotive electronics business to German company Continental AG, Greg Brown, president of Motorola's Networks & Enterprise business, said, "This transaction positions Motorola for continued success by further sharpening our strategic focus on communications solutions that advance our vision of 'Seamless Mobility.'" Continental is integrating Motorola's controls, sensor, interior electronics, and telematics businesses into its Automotive Systems division. The transaction should close by mid-2006. (http://tinyurl.com/gsp6h, http://tinyurl.com/hov2z, http://tinyurl.com/k8x5r)