B+B SmartWorx Becomes Advantech B+B SmartWorx as Sale is Finalized, Will Lead New Intelligent Networking Business Unit in North America

Will continue to develop smart networking products as part of the company’s Global Industrial IoT Business Group

Ottawa, IL – January 12, 2016 – Today, Taiwanese industrial computing manufacturer Advantech announced the completion of its acquisition of privately-held industrial intelligent networking specialist B+B SmartWorx for the US$99.85 million agreement announced November 16. Ottawa, IL-based B+B will continue to be led by its current management team, operating as Advantech B+B SmartWorx, and will lead Advantech’s new Intelligent Networking Business Sector in developing smart networking products as part of the company’s Global Industrial IoT Business Group.

The two companies’ complementary product lines brought them together often over the last decade to collaborate on industrial connectivity projects, so the combination of the two companies felt natural. The merger creates a $1.3 billion company with approximately 7,600 employees worldwide.

“B+B has undergone a transformation over recent years, acquiring several companies itself and developing technologies that bring ‘intelligence to the network edge’ to address evolving needs in the Industrial IoT (IIoT) market,” said B+B CEO Jerry O’Gorman. “We are pleased to join forces with Advantech, a global leader who shares our strategic view of the future.”

With B+B SmartWorx now a part of its portfolio, Advantech said it aims to accelerate its growth in industrial network connectivity-related products.  The company will leverage B+B’s established branding, product lines, engineering teams and sales channels in the U.S., Europe and the Middle East, and it will also begin selling B+B’s device connectivity products, cellular routers, gateways and the Wzzard wireless sensing platform into Asia.  Products will retain B+B branding, bolstered by Advantech’s name recognition, and sold as “B+B SmartWorx powered by Advantech.”

Advantech chairman KC Liu explained that Advantech views this acquisition more as a merger, seeing value in all of B+B’s networking products from wired networking and fiber infrastructure to wireless connectivity. “B+B has in particular struck a nerve with its Wzzard wireless sensing system which satisfies enterprise IT’s desire to receive data from the field, and overcomes field OT’s (operational technology) fear of disruption, by creating ‘overlay networks’ that leave existing programming, processes and people in place,” said Liu.

B+B’s Wzzard together with its routers and gateways complement Advantech’s own WISE wireless sensing platform, and company engineers will be developing solutions leveraging the strength of both platforms.

Advantech was advised by KPMG Deal Advisory Limited, and B+B SmartWorx was advised by Lincoln International LLC.

About B+B SmartWorx:

Founded in 1981, B+B SmartWorx, formerly B&B Electronics, provides intelligent M2M and IoT connectivity solutions for wireless and wired networks.   The company designs and builds device connectivity and network infrastructure products that deliver intelligent connectivity at the “edge” of networks in remote and demanding environments.  Working globally with experienced channel and application partners to deliver complete application solutions, the company is known for building rugged networking products that are easy to deploy and manage.  All products are manufactured in the US and European Union with local field applications engineers available worldwide for localized technical support.    B+B SmartWorx is headquartered at 707 E Dayton Road, Ottawa, Illinois USA with EMEA operations based in Ireland and the Czech Republic.  The company has an additional engineering site in California. 800-346-3119. https://advantech-bb.com

About Advantech:

Founded in 1983, Advantech is a leading provider of trusted and innovative products, services, and solutions. Advantech offers comprehensive system integration, hardware, software, customer-centric design services, embedded systems, automation products, and global logistics support. We cooperate with our partners to provide complete solutions for a wide range of applications across diverse industries. Our mission is to enable an intelligent planet by developing automated and embedded computing products and solutions that facilitate smarter working and living. Using Advantech products, the number of potentially feasible applications and innovations becomes unlimited.  http://advantech.com

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Editorial Note: Visuals are available from the Press Kit: https://advantech-bb.com/company/newsroom/press-kit/

Resources:

• Advantech B+B SmartWorx Logo
• Advantech B+B Leading Intelligent Business Unit Graphic
• Advantech B+B Video