Emerson Electric Co.is an Americanmultinational corporationheadquartered inFerguson, Missouri.[2][3][4]TheFortune 500company delivers a range of engineering services, manufactures industrial automation equipment, climate control systems, and precision measurement instruments, and provides software engineering solutions for industrial, commercial, and consumer markets.[5][6][7]
 | |
| Company type | Public |
|---|---|
| Industry | Electrical equipment |
| Predecessor | Emerson Electric Manufacturing Co. |
| Founded | September 24, 1890 |
| Founder | John W. Emerson |
| Headquarters | Ferguson, Missouri,U.S. |
Key people |
|
| Products |
|
| Revenue |  US$17.49billion(2024) |
 US$1.780 billion (2024) | |
| US$1.968 billion (2024) | |
| Total assets | US$44.25 billion (2024) |
| Total equity | US$21.64 billion (2024) |
Number of employees | c. 73,000(2024) |
| Divisions | List of business platforms |
| Website | emerson |
| Footnotes / references [1] | |
Operating in over 150 countries,[8]Emerson supports a broad range of industries, includingoil and gas,power generation,chemicals,water treatment,andheating, ventilation, and air conditioningsystems, as well asaerospaceanddefensesolutions.[9]
In recent years, Emerson has expanded its portfolio through strategic acquisitions and investments indigital transformation technologies.The company's focus onautomation,data analytics,andartificial intelligencehas positioned it as a leader in industrial solutions, helping businesses improve operational efficiency and sustainability.[10]Emerson's digital platforms, such as Plantweb and DeltaV, are now widely adopted across industries to enable real-time monitoring,predictive maintenance,and enhanced decision-making processes.[11][12]
Operations
editEmerson deeply integratessoftware engineeringinto its operations, with a focus onautomationand theindustrial internet of things.[13]The company's platforms, such as the Plantweb Digital Ecosystem, DeltaV, and Ovation, are developed to improve operational efficiency across multiple industries. These platforms integrate technologies likeartificial intelligence,real-time data analytics,machine learning,andpredictive maintenanceto enhance performance and optimizeasset managementin sectors includingpower generationandwater utilities.[14]
In addition to its commitment to technological advancements, Emerson has prioritized sustainability andcorporate social responsibility.The company is actively pursuing goals related toenergy efficiency,emissions reduction,andcommunity development,making strides towardcarbon neutralityin its operations.[15]
History
editEmerson was established 1890 inSt. Louis,Missouri, as Emerson Electric Manufacturing Co. byCivil WarUnion veteranJohn Wesley Emersonto manufactureelectric motorsusing apatentowned by the Scottish-born brothers Charles and Alexander Meston. In 1892, it became the first to sellelectric fansin the United States.[16]It quickly expanded its product line to include electricsewing machines,electric dental drills,andpower tools.[17]
DuringWorld War II,under the leadership ofStuart Symington,[18]Emerson became the world's largest manufacturer of airplane armament.[19]Emerson ranked 52nd among United States corporations in the value of World War II military production contracts.[20]
In 1954, W.R. "Buck" Persons was named company president. Under his leadership, Emerson diversified itsbusinessby acquiring 36 companies. When he retired in 1973, the company had 82 plants, 31,000 employees, and $800 million in sales.
In 1962, it acquired the United States Electrical Manufacturing Company as the U.S. Electrical Motors Division, including the brand U.S. Motors.[21]In 1968, it acquired theInSinkEratorcompany.[22]
Charles F. Knightserved as CEO from 1973 to 2000, and was chairman from 1974 to 2004. His tenure marked the development of a rigorous planning process, new product and technology development, acquisitions and joint ventures, and international growth.David Farrsucceeded him as chairman, and was also the CEO until 2021.[23]
On December 15, 1999, Emerson Electric reached an agreement to acquire Jordan Industries Inc.'s telecommunications equipment division for a total of $440 million, a strategic move aimed at strengthening its position in the rapidly growing telecommunications sector at the time.[24]
In 2010, Emerson sold its U.S. Motors brand toNidec Corporation,marking a significant shift in Emerson’s focus towards more advanced technology-driven industries.[21]
On July 26, 2011, Emerson publicly announced its decision to establish its Latin American regional headquarters inSunrise, Florida,as part of its strategy to expand its footprint in the region and better serve its growing customer base in Latin America.[25]
On December 1, 2016,Platinum Equityacquired Emerson’s Network Power division for more than $4 billion, rebranding the business asVertiv.This acquisition encompassed several well-known brands, includingASCO,Chloride,Liebert,NetSure, and Trellis, significantly enhancingPlatinum Equity’s portfolio in the critical infrastructure technology sector.[26]
In July 2018, Emerson completed the acquisition ofTextronTools and Test Businesses for a total of $810 million, which included brands such asGreenlee,Klauke, HD Electric, and Sherman + Reilly. This acquisition further expanded Emerson’s offerings in the professional tools and test equipment market, adding valuable assets to its business.[27]
On April 1, 2020, Emerson strengthened its presence in the hydropower control systems industry by acquiring the American Governor Company, a provider of technologies used to controlhydroelectric turbines.This acquisition was aimed at boosting Emerson’s capabilities in renewable energy sectors.[28]
In October 2022, Emerson reached a significant deal to sell a 55 percent controlling interest in its climate technologies business to private equity firmBlackstone Inc.for $14 billion, including debt. This sale represented a decision by Emerson to pivot towards higher-growth areas such as automation, while also benefiting from Blackstone’s expertise in scaling businesses.[29][30]
Following a nearly year-long negotiation, in April 2023, Emerson finalized an agreement to acquireNational Instrumentsin an all-cash transaction valued at $8.2 billion. This acquisition was designed to enhance Emerson’s automation technology capabilities, adding advancedtesting and measurement technologiesto its product portfolio and enabling further innovation in its industrial automation business.[31][32]
Corporate
editEmerson has undergone significant leadership transitions and strategic shifts since its founding in 1890. Key leadership in the mid-20th century includes W.R. Persons, who focused on diversification and expansion from 1954 to 1973,[33]followed byCharles Knight,under whom Emerson pursued aggressive acquisitions and global growth between 1973 and 2000.David Farr,who served as CEO from 2000 to 2021, continued to expand the company's reach into international markets and advanced technology sectors.[34]Jim Turleyis the current Chair of the Board,[35]and Lal Karsanbhai serves as CEO.[36]
Emerson operates through two primary business units: Automation Solutions and Commercial & Residential Solutions.[37][38]Its Automation Solutions division focuses onprocess automationanddigital transformation,providing software and engineering services to industries likeoil and gas,power generation,andpharmaceuticals.[39]The Commercial & Residential Solutions unit focuses onclimate technologiesand residential products, includingheating, ventilation, and air conditioningsystems, tools, andcompressors.[40]
Environmental records
editIn 2008 (using data from 2005), researchers at theUniversity of Massachusetts Amherstidentified Emerson as the 97th largest corporate producer ofair pollution in the United States,down from its previous rank of 56th. Majorpollutantsindicated by the study includenickelcompounds,manganese,diisocyanate,andlead.[41]
Since then, Emerson has made strides in reducing itsenvironmental footprint.According to its 2023 sustainability report, the company achieved a 52% reduction in Scope 1 and Scope 2greenhouse gas emissionsintensity compared to 2021 levels.[42]Additionally, Emerson procures 49% of its electricity from renewable sources and has set long-term goals for further emissions reductions. In recognition of these efforts, Emerson was named the 2023Energy StarPartner of the Year for energy management.[43]
Products
editAutomation Solutions
editEmerson provides advancedprocess automation,control systems, and software solutions critical to industries such as oil and gas, power generation, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and water treatment. The company's Plantweb Digital Ecosystem integrates advanced sensing technologies, analytics software, and industrial internet of things solutions to optimize manufacturing processes.[44]Emerson's automation solutions also include predictive maintenance technologies, remote monitoring, and control systems that leverageartificial intelligence,machine learning,andedge computingfor enhanced performance.[45]Key products include:
- DeltaVdistributed control systems
- Ovation control systems forpowerandwater industries
- Fisher valves and instruments
- Rosemount instrumentation
- Micro Motionflowanddensity meters
- AMS Suiteplant asset management software
Commercial & Residential Solutions
editEmerson is a leader inheating, ventilation, and air conditioningandrefrigerationtechnologies through its Copeland brand,[46]known for its compressors and related technologies that improve energy efficiency. Other notable brands and products in this segment include:
- Sensismart thermostats
- InSinkEratorgarbage disposals
- Greenleetools and equipment for electrical professionals
- Ridgidtools
Aerospace and Defense Solutions
editEmerson Electric also plays a significant role in theaerospaceanddefense industry,producing high-performanceavionicsequipment.[47][48]The AN/APQ series ofradarsystems, which provide advanced targeting and navigation capabilities formilitary aircraft,are key products in this segment. Notable products include:
Corporate relationships
editEmerson's brands acquisitions
editOn December 22, 2014, Emerson announced the acquisition of Scotland-based Cascade Technologies Ltd., expanding their gas-analysis portfolio with laser-based measurement analyzers and systems for enhanced industrial emissions monitoring, production efficiencies, and regulatory compliance.[49]Other main Emerson acquisitions and brands include:
- Advanced Protection Technologies
- AgileOps
- AMS Suite
- American Governor Company
- Aperture
- APM Automation Solutions
- Alco Controls
- Appleton Group (formerly EGS Electrical Group)
- Artesyn (spun off on Jan 2014)
- ASCO International (sold toSchneider Electricin 2017)
- ASCO Numatics
- Astec(spun off on Jan 2014)
- Aventics
- Avocent
- Avtron Loadbank
- Bettis
- Branson
- Bristol Babcock
- Cascade Technologies Ltd
- Chloride Group
- Chromalox(sold toJPMorgan Partnersin 2003)[50]
- Closet Maid (sold toGriffon Corpin late 2017)
- Control Products
- Control Techniques (sold toNidecin early 2017)
- Cooper-Atkins
- Copeland (sold toBlackstonein early 2023)
- CSI Technologies
- DeltaV
- Dixell
- Electronic Navigation Industries
- Enardo LLC
- Energy Systems
- Firetrol
- Fisher Regulators
- Fisher Valves & Instruments
- Flexim[51]
- Fusite
- GeoFields
- Greenlee
- Groveley Detection Ltd
- InSinkErator(sold toWhirlpool Corporationin 2022)
- Intelligent Store
- Islatrol
- Knurr (a business of Vertiv now)
- Leroy-Somer(sold toNidecin early 2017)
- Liebert (a business of Vertiv now)
- METCO
- Metro (InterMetro Industries)
- Micro Motion
- Mimic
- Mobrey
- National Instruments
- Open Systems International(pending sale late 2020)[52]
- Ovation
- Paine Electronics
- Paradig
- Penberthy
- Pentair Valves & Controls
- Permasense
- Plantweb Optics
- Power Transmission Solutions
- Progea Group
- ProSys, Inc.[53]
- ProTeam
- Pryne & Co., Inc.[54]
- Ridgid(Ridge Tool Company)
- Rosemount
- Rosemount Analytical
- Roxar
- Saab Marine Electronics
- Sensi (Part of Copeland)[55]
- Spence and Nicholson
- SSB Wind Systems (sold toNidecin early 2017)
- Surge Protection
- Syncade
- TopWorx
- Tescom
- Therm-O-Disc
- Universal Western Electric Co. (1960)[56]
- Verdant[57]
- Vilter
- White-Rodgers
- WORKSHOP
- Zedi
Controversies
editNBCHeroeslawsuit
editOn October 2, 2006, Emerson filed suit in federal court againstNBCregarding a scene that appeared in the pilot episode of the network's TV seriesHeroes.The scene depictedClaire Bennetreaching into an active garbage disposal, severely injuring her hand. Emerson's suit claims the scene "casts the disposer in an unsavory light, irreparably tarnishing the product" by suggesting that serious injuries will result "in the event consumers were to accidentally insert their hand into one."[58]
Emerson asked for a ruling barring future broadcasts of the pilot and to block NBC from using any Emerson trademarks in the future.
On February 23, 2007, the case was dropped. NBC Universal and Emerson Electric settled the lawsuit outside of court.[59]
References
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External links
edit
- Official website
- Business data for Emerson Electric Co.: