September 28, 2008 - Softing announced that it has acquired a majority interest in the Nuremberg based INAT GmbH. The acquisition of INAT will complement and strengthen the strategic core elements of Softing's Industrial Automation division.
INAT is a world class provider of end-user products and services around industrial Ethernet that is driven by innovation and customer satisfaction. INAT’s range of real-time Ethernet products seamlessly complements Softing’s technological leadership in embedded fieldbus technology. INAT provides customers with the freedom to choose best-in-class components from various vendors by providing solutions that support a seamless integration into an industrial Ethernet system.
“Over 10 years ago INAT started to focus very strongly on providing our customer’s with solutions around industrial Ethernet” said Hand-Werner Auberg, INAT’s General Manager of Sales & Operations. “Back in those days when Profibus, Interbus, and CAN-bus were still fighting for market leadership, INAT had already placed its bets on Ethernet - and that is still our strategy today. We offer unique and powerful solutions that add Ethernet to automation systems, bridge between automation controllers of different manufacturers, and provide production data over Ethernet to ERP systems. Our expertise in industrial Ethernet is an ideal match for Softing’s exceptional leadership in fieldbus technology.”
“Softing has been in the fieldbus business for more than 25 years. During this time, we acquired the technical expertise that enables us to actively shape open technology standards and to be at the cutting edge of progress for the benefit of our customers,” said Wolfgang Langer, Softing North America’s Director of Marketing. “We are very excited that INAT joined us because INAT will complement and strengthen the strategic core elements of our Industrial Automation division. INAT will profit from Softing's strong international position in the factory- and process industry as well as Softing will profit from additional products and sales channels brought in by INAT.”
About INAT
INAT, a technological leader and a strong brand name for industrial Ethernet products, is strongly focused on the emerging market around industrial Ethernet protocols. Today, INAT is a world-class provider of solutions that enable customers to bridge between different real-time Ethernet protocols like PROFINET and EtherNet/IP and to collect traceable process data from the field and provide it over Ethernet without reprogramming an existing automation system. In addition, INAT offers state-of-the-art Ethernet-connectivity products for the legacy Simatic S5 PLC range as well as software solutions for real-time Ethernet diagnostics and OPC-connectivity.
About Softing
In industrial automation, Softing is a specialist for fieldbus technology and has established itself as a world-leading partner for networking automation systems and control solutions. In fieldbus technology, Softing is an expert for FOUNDATION fieldbus, PROFIBUS, and CAN/CANopen/DeviceNet. The company’s wide range of expertise also includes solutions for OPC, FDT, and Real-Time-Ethernet solutions such as PROFINET IO and Modbus/TCP. Softing provides customers with solutions to connect devices, controls and systems with the leading communication technologies. In addition, Softing has established itself as a provider of sophisticated diagnostic tools for fieldbus systems.
