Autoliv Expands Active Safety Capability
16 July 2015 – Autoliv, Inc. (NYSE: ALV and SSE: ALIVsdb), one of the worldwide leaders in automotive safety systems announced today that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the automotive business of M/A-COM Technology Solutions Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: MTSI) (MACOM).
The “Automotive Solutions” business that Autoliv intends to acquire is a carve-out of the automotive business of MACOM, a leading supplier of high-performance analogue RF, microwave, millimeterwave and photonic semiconductor products.
The “Automotive Solutions” business of MACOM is a leading supplier of integrated, embedded Global Positioning System (GPS) modules to the automotive industry. Based in Lowell, Massachusetts, USA, the business includes 25 technical, commercial and manufacturing support employees focused on the design, development and production of GPS modules. The 2015 annual revenue estimate is to be around $90 million and this transaction is expected to be accretive to Autotliv margins upon closing.
Other technologies and intellectual property included in the transaction are various Radio Frequency (RF) and antenna products (hardware and software) and Electronic Horizon, which is an advanced driver assistance system connecting navigation and GPS data to improve safety, fuel efficiency and reduce emissions.
"This acquisition expands our capability in the Active Safety market and provides additional building blocks to our portfolio in automated driving”, said Autoliv Chairman, President & CEO Mr. Jan Carlson. “This transaction also reinforces our commitment to our safety systems approach”, added Mr. Carlson.
The purchase price for the “Automotive Solutions” business is $100 million in cash, subject to customary working capital and other adjustments, plus up to an additional $30 million in cash based on achievement of revenue-based earn-out targets through 2019. In addition, MACOM has agreed to perform consulting services for Autoliv over a 2-year period for up to $15 million in fees.
The acquisition is expected to close during the third quarter of 2015 and is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approval.
About Autoliv
Autoliv, Inc, one of the worldwide leaders in automotive safety systems, develops and manufactures automotive safety systems for all major automotive manufacturers in the world. Together with its joint ventures, Autoliv has close to 80 facilities with more than 60,000 employees in 28 countries. In addition, the Company has ten technical centres in nine countries around the world, with 21 test tracks, more than any other automotive safety supplier. Sales in 2014 amounted to US $9.2 billion. The Company's shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: ALV) and its Swedish Depository Receipts on the OMX Nordic Exchange in Stockholm (ALIV sdb). For more information about Autoliv, visit their company website at www.autoliv.com.
About MACOM
MACOM is one of the leading suppliers of high-performance analogue RF, microwave, millimeterwave and photonic semiconductor products that enable next-generation Internet and modern battlefield applications. Recognized for its broad catalogue portfolio of technologies and products, MACOM serves diverse markets, including high speed optical, satellite, radar, wired and wireless networks, industrial, medical, and mobile devices.
Headquartered in Lowell, Massachusetts, MACOM is certified to the ISO9001 international quality standard and ISO14001 environmental management standard. MACOM has design centers and sales offices throughout North America, Europe, Asia and Australia. For more information, visit (http://www.macom.com/)
Source: Business Wire
Misfit Introduces Cheaper, More Powerful Flash Link App
16 July 2015 – Today Misfit, makers of Shine and Flash Fitness and Sleep Monitors, announces Misfit Link, a new software experience that makes Flash an even more powerful tool to control and connect with the world around you.
The new Misfit Link app lets you use any Flash to take a selfie with your phone camera app or Snapchat; control your music with Spotify, Pandora, and more; or advance slides in a presentation. Additional functionality is coming soon, including IFTTT and Logitech Harmony integrations. The iOS app is available for download now; an Android version will be released next month.
Misfit is also unveiling a new hardware offering: Flash Link, an easy to use activity tracker and smart button compatible with the Misfit Link. Misfit Flash Link is available now on misfit.com and includes the tracker / smart button device and a companion clip so you can wear it anywhere.
“We’re focused on making products everyone can use. Flash Link is not just a more affordable wearable, it’s a more powerful one,” said Tim Golnik, Misfit’s Vice President of Product and Design.
Flash Link will be available later this quarter in retail locations worldwide.
About Flash Link
Flash Link is an easy-to-use activity tracker and smart button. A low priced, modular, and multi-functional wearable, Flash Link gives users even more ways to connect with the world around them. Use any Flash or Flash Link with the Misfit Link app to take a selfie, control your music (pause, play, skip songs, adjust the volume), or advance slides in a presentation.
About Misfit
Misfit invents and manufactures wearable and smart home products. The Company was founded in 2011 by Sonny Vu with John Sculley, the former CEO of Apple and Pepsi, and Sridhar Iyengar, co-founder and former CTO of AgaMatrix.
For Misfit product images and videos visit http://www.misfit.com/media
Source: Business Wire
GE’s Industrial Software to Boost Efficiency across BP’s Global Operations
8 July 2015 – GE Intelligent Platforms Software today announced a new production optimization project to connect all of BP’s oil wells globally to the Industrial Internet. Using GE’s data management software, BP field engineers will gain real-time access to common machine and operational data sets across all wells, arming them with information to make better decisions to improve efficiency, prevent failures and minimize costly downtime. The project will initially be deployed across 650 of BP’s wells, expanding to 4,000 wells across the world over the next several years.
“Based on industry averages, for each week a well is out of commission, operators experience revenue losses of more than $3 million for a subsea well. In today’s low price oil environment, it is increasingly important for customers to embrace Industrial Internet technologies to increase uptime and maximize production. GE understands that our customers want to get the most out of their existing assets, and more productivity leads to more profitability. To help them achieve that, our strategy is simple: Get Connected. Get Insights. Get Optimized,” said Kate Johnson, GE Intelligent Platforms Software CEO and GE Chief Commercial Officer (above). “By connecting BP’s oil wells around the world, we’re giving them access to better insights that can ultimately drive new efficiencies in their oil fields and increase oil production.”
“This project highlights BP’s commitment to deploying technology that can not only improve efficiency and reduce the complexity of our operations, but that also continuously make them safer and more reliable,” said Peter Griffiths, BP System Optimization Strategist. “In this case, we are delivering a solution on a standard platform that supports BP’s move away from bespoke solutions to-off-the-shelf industry solutions that integrate with our work processes, but without the long-term support costs that a bespoke approach often entails.”
BP’s decision to license this software was driven by its potential to drive efficiency and performance through increased standardization, improved oversight and decision-making. These solutions will allow BP to capture, store, contextualize and visualize data in real time, making it available to the right people at the right time so they can make informed decisions. GE will work closely with BP through the initial phase of this agreement, placing engineers onsite to work through the global implementation.
In the last year, GE has significantly increased its portfolio of Industrial Internet tools for the oil and gas sector to help increase production in a low oil price environment. “Enabling efficiency is the top priority for our customers in the current low oil price environment,” said Lorenzo Simonelli, President & CEO of GE Oil and Gas. “We are pleased to see that customers like BP have welcomed our Industrial Internet solutions as a unique way to tackle this in order to increase production, manage costs and reduce downtime. The combination of tangible infrastructure knowledge and Industrial Internet expertise places us in a unique position to continue to grow this offering in a way which truly delivers for our customers.”
GE has been working closely with BP since 2008, driving data analysis and instrumentation to improve operational reliability at sites including Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, the UK, Norwegian sectors of the North Sea, the Gulf of Mexico, the Caspian Sea and Angola.
About GE
GE imagines things others don’t, builds things others can’t and delivers outcomes that make the world work better. GE brings together the physical and digital worlds in ways no other company can. In its labs and factories and on the ground with customers, GE is inventing the next industrial era to move, power, build and cure the world. For more information, visit www.ge.com
Source: Business Wire
LYCOS and Slingshot Power Bring Solar to Homeowners
3 July 2015 – LYCOS has announced it has joined forces with Slingshot Power, a clean energy company in the process of going national and one of the major players in the clean energy movement, to encourage energy conservation and simplify the transition for homeowners.
As part of the partnership, LYCOS and Slingshot are jointly developing an interface for Slingshot’s energy system that provides homeowners with access to information regarding their energy usage. The LYCOS Life band and ring will serve as a point of entry into this system, using LYCOS Life’s Tap2Transfer Technology to provide users with detailed energy reports that will allow them to easily monitor their home energy production and consumption.
“Solar now has a break-even of less than five years and installing increases a home or business’ property value,” said Ravi Chiruvolu, CEO of Slingshot Power. “These facts are not well known, so we are teaming with LYCOS to make the transition to Clean Energy faster and easier.”
This initiative will be the first step towards integrating Internet of Things (“IoT”) functionality into Slingshot homes using LYCOS Life’s technology.
“More and more people will rely on the Internet as more Internet enabled devices are introduced to the market,” said Brad Cohen, president and chief strategy officer at LYCOS. “LYCOS is developing ways to help users connect their Internet data with their everyday lives and we will work with Slingshot Power to develop other IoT products that can be tied into their systems to share valuable information about users’ homes and cars,” said Cohen.
The new app is expected to be ready in Q1 2016.
About LYCOS
LYCOS Life products serve as a single point of entry into users’ digital lives and allow them to live more secure, communicative, healthy, and efficient lives.
LYCOS is one of the original and most widely known Internet companies in the world, evolving from one of the first search engines on the web, into a comprehensive digital media destination for consumers across the world.
Slingshot is a Clean Energy company empowering people to take back the tens of thousands of dollars they unwittingly donate to utility companies and reclaim the freedom to utilize energy when and how they want, for the good of their pocketbooks and the environment. Visit http://www.lycos.life to learn more.
Source: Business Wire
On-Ramp Wireless Appoints John Horn as CEO
2 July 2015 — On-Ramp Wireless, a leading provider of long-range connectivity for the Internet of Things (IoT), today announced it has appointed John Horn, an experienced and recognized M2M and IoT pioneer, to lead the company as chief executive officer.
“On-Ramp Wireless’ RPMA (Random Phase Multiple Access) innovations have been deployed in networks across the globe and the company is positioned to expand at an even more aggressive pace,” said Babak Razi, Managing Partner of Third Wave Ventures and an On-Ramp Wireless board member. “John’s strong track record in the M2M/IoT space will significantly accelerate our growth and capitalize on the large opportunity that the IoT presents.”
John Horn (above) joins On-Ramp Wireless after serving as president of RacoWireless, a leading provider of machine-to-machine (M2M) connectivity solutions where he led the company to record growth and achievement of multiple awards for accomplishments, including ‘Most Innovative Company’ and ‘Entrepreneurial Company of the Year’. Before joining RacoWireless, Horn was a leader at T-Mobile for more than nine years. At T-Mobile, he developed and managed indirect distribution for the California Launch – the largest launch in wireless history. During his last six years at T-Mobile, he focused specifically on developing the company’s M2M program and go-to-market strategy. He also helped T-Mobile earn recognition as the market leader for M2M services.
“It’s an exciting time to join the team at On-Ramp Wireless and I look forward to leading the company to greater heights,” commented Horn. “I’ve always been intrigued with the RPMA technology that the team at On-Ramp has developed, and now being in a position to turn it into a truly disruptive business makes the future very bright.”
Horn replaces Kevin Hell, who served as CEO since 2012 and will continue working with On-Ramp in an advisory role.
About On-Ramp Wireless
On-Ramp Wireless enables long-range connectivity for the IoT. The company’s revolutionary RPMA® technology offers unmatched range, capacity, battery life and performance, operating in unlicensed spectrum. On-Ramp provides a carrier-grade system suitable for public and large-scale enterprise multi-application networks, with proven global deployments in the most demanding environments. A wide range of partners integrate the patented RPMA technology to deliver solutions for smart grid, industrial automation, smart city and other IoT and M2M applications. For more information on On-Ramp Wireless including specific information on how RPMA can solve your connectivity challenges, please visit: www.onrampwireless.com
Source: On-Ramp Wireless
Eurotech Announces Distribution Agreement with IPC2U
2 July 2015 – Eurotech, leading supplier of embedded technologies, products and IoT / M2M systems, signed a comprehensive distribution agreement with IPC2U GmbH, one of Germany's leading supplier of industrial computers.
IPC2U is responding to the increasing demand of partners, systems integrators and enterprise customers for rugged industrial communication solutions made in Europe. The new distribution agreement marks an important milestone concerning Eurotech’s aim to generate higher revenues through business partners and provides IPC2U the opportunity to enhance the portfolio of offerings to wider basis.
IPC2U headquartered in Hannover-Langenhagen sells under the new partnership from now on the product portfolio of Eurotech, focusing on M2M Devices and Platforms, as well as embedded boards and systems.
Paolo Bubisutti, Sales Manager Eurotech SEMEA, commented: "We have been working for a long time on a global scale with successful distributors already established on the market. It was therefore a logical choice to setup this partnership with a leading distribution company in Europe as IPC2U, spanning from Germany to Austria, Switzerland and Eastern Europe. They can now take advantage of our comprehensive service portfolio and proven expertise in the implementation of IT projects, and we can leverage on the strengths of a distributor like IPC2U to increase our business in Europe".
Arthur Barash, Director of IPC2U, explains: "The demand for rugged M2M solutions increases continuously and on a broad front. The distribution agreement with one of the market leaders in this field is therefore an important step for us. We thus also correspond to a frequently expressed wish of our customers. You will discover entirely new possibilities through our cooperation with Eurotech. Regardless of whether their focus is on automation in production, communication between field and cloud or in the service sector Customized Engineering".
About Eurotech
Eurotech (ETH:IM) is a global company that combines hardware, software and application expertise to deliver embedded computing platforms and M2M integration platforms to leading OEMs, system integrators and enterprise customers for successful and efficient deployment of their products and services. Drawing on concepts of minimalist computing, Eurotech lowers power draw, minimizes physical size and reduces coding complexity to bring embedded sub-systems, ready-to-use devices and M2M integration platforms to market, specializing in transportation, logistics, security & surveillance, industrial and medical segments. Eurotech creates integrated solutions that simplify data capture, processing and transfer over unified communications networks. Our customers and partners rely on us to simplify their access to cutting-edge digital technologies, so they can focus on their core competencies. Learn more about Eurotech at www.eurotech.com.
About IPC2U
The IPC2U Group is an international supplier and manufacturer of industrial computer systems with over 20 year experience and is represented with offices and qualified partners and distributors in over 14 countries in the EMEA region. IPC2U product portfolio includes classic 19 "computer systems and components of modern compact Computer till Panel PC's display solutions and digital signage devices. Industrial network devices such as rugged network switches and gateways as well as controllers for typical industrial control applications with as CAN and MOD-bus connections are also available.
Source: Eurotech
