Emerson agreed to acquire Intelligent Platforms, a division of General Electric (GE). Intelligent Platforms’ programmable logic controller (PLC) technologies will enable Emerson, a supplier of automation for process and industrial applications, to provide customers broader control and management of their operations. The acquisition expands opportunities for Emerson in machine control and discrete applications across process industries and target hybrid markets, such as metals and mining.

By interfacing Intelligent Platforms’ PLC technology with Emerson’s distributed control systems, customers will be able to connect “islands of automation” within the plant to further enhance operational performance, safety and reliability. Charlottesville, Va.-based Intelligent Platforms recently developed a new family of cloud-connected controllers and devices to enable smarter plants, a complement to Emerson’s focus on digital transformation and the Industrial Internet of Things (IIot) through its Plantweb digital ecosystem.

The acquisition is expected to close in the first half of fiscal 2019.