GE Automation & Controls

General Electric Automation and Controls

Company type	Subsidiary
Industry	Industrial automation
Predecessor	GE Intelligent Platforms, Alstom Power Automation and Controls
Founded	1986
Fate	Acquired by Emerson Electric in 2019
Headquarters	United States
Area served	Worldwide
Products	Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC), Programmable Automation Controllers (PAC), I/O modules, field instrumentation
Parent	Emerson Electric (since 2019)

General Electric Automation and Controls represents the integration of the former GE Intelligent Platforms with Alstom's Power Automation and Controls segment. Since its acquisition by Emerson Electric in 2019, this entity functions under Emerson’s Discrete Automation division.

This business unit manufactures Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) and Programmable Automation Controller (PAC) solutions, along with I/O modules and field instrumentation, facilitating the design, commissioning, and management of industrial equipment. Its primary sectors encompass manufacturing, food and beverage processing, life sciences, power generation, oil and gas, mining and metals, water treatment, wastewater management, and specialized machinery.

History

The establishment of GE Fanuc Automation Corporation occurred in 1986 as a collaborative venture between FANUC and General Electric, with operational bases across North America, Europe, and Asia.

In 2007, the company underwent a rebranding to GE Fanuc Intelligent Platforms; simultaneously, its European and CNC units adopted similar naming conventions.

After the joint venture ended in 2009, the software, controls, and embedded systems divisions were reorganized under the name GE Intelligent Platforms.

Following the acquisition of Alstom's Power Automation & Controls business in 2015, the company adopted the Automation & Controls brand.

As part of General Electric’s corporate restructuring in 2018, an agreement was reached for Emerson Electric to acquire Intelligent Platforms; this deal was finalized on February 1, 2019.

Acquisitions

• 1998: obtained AFE Technologies (initially acquiring a 70% interest in 1996) and Total Control Products
• 2000: purchased DataViews Corp
• 2001: acquired VMIC
• 2002: acquired Intellution, Inc.
• 2003: acquired RAMiX and Mountain Systems, Inc.
• 2006: procured technology assets from Condor Engineering, SBS Technologies, and Radstone Technology PLC
• 2008: acquired process technology assets from MTL Instruments Group
• 2011: acquired SmartSignal, Inc. along with technology assets from CSense Systems (Pty) Ltd.
• 2015: incorporated Alstom Power Automation & Controls; divested embedded systems division to Veritas Capital (currently known as Abaco Systems)
• 2019: became part of Emerson Electric through acquisition