Cognex Acquires Allen-Bradley

Machine vision manufacturer Cognex Corp. has signed an agreement with Rockwell Automation to acquire certain technologies and assets from the machine vision business of Rockwell subsidiary Allen-Bradley Co. Terms of the deal also give Cognex, which is based in Natick, Mass., access to Rockwell Automation's customers.

Robert J. Shillman, president, CEO and chairman of Cognex, said that the arrangement includes major accounts in the pharmaceutical, food and beverage, and automotive industries "where we currently have little penetration."
Through the agreement, Cognex will complete development of Allen-Bradley's Optix machine vision system and retain its core technical and other staff, while Allen-Bradley will continue to support its product line. Cognex declined to disclose the purchase price.