Zebra Technologies has announced it intends to acquire developer of advanced machine vision components and systems Matrox Imaging, as it further expands it intelligent automation solutions portfolio.
Matrox Imaging offers platform-independent software, software development kits (SDKs), smart cameras, 3D sensors, vision controllers, input/output cards, and frame grabbers. These are used to capture, inspect, assess, and record data from industrial vision systems in factory automation, electronics and pharmaceutical packaging, semiconductor inspection, and more. Such capabilities enable industrial customers to lower the cost to manufacture products, improve product quality, and increase compliance and yield.
“Customers are increasingly deploying automated solutions to augment their front-line workers, enabling them to focus on more complex, higher value workflows, and machine vision is a key technology to help them get there,” said Anders Gustafsson, chief executive officer of Zebra Technologies.
“This acquisition enables us to meet our customers’ evolving needs, regardless of where they are on their automation journey—from capturing and analysing data to facilitate decision-making to deploying physical automation solutions to accelerate the production and movement of goods and materials. We are excited to welcome the Matrox Imaging team to the Zebra family.”
The acquisition of Matrox Imaging expands the portfolio of machine vision products, software and services Zebra can offer customers to help them adapt to the on-demand economy, which it said is constrained by both labour shortages and limited supply of upstream goods and materials.
Zebra added Matrox Imaging’s solutions complement its recently launched fixed industrial scanning and machine vision portfolio, as well as augmenting Zebra’s growing knowledge in software, machine learning and deep learning.
“The combination of Matrox Imaging’s technical expertise with the global footprint of Zebra Technologies presents an opportunity for Matrox Imaging to accelerate its long-term strategic plan,” said Lorne Trottier, president and co-founder of Matrox.
“With its complementary machine vision and fixed industrial scanning portfolio, Zebra Technologies will be an excellent home for Matrox Imaging.”
Operations within the automotive, pharmaceutical, electronics and food & beverage industries could benefit from the merger. According to Zebra’s recent Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Vision Study, 96% of decision-makers agree supply chain visibility provides a clear competitive advantage. While 93% of food & beverage decision-makers surveyed for our Food Safety Supply Chain Vision Study plan on increasing investments in food monitoring technology in the next few years.
Zebra expects to fund the US$875m (£660m) purchase price with a combination of cash on hand along with fully committed financing under its credit facility. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approval and is expected to close in 2022.
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