Yokogawa Electric Corporation announced today that it has acquired 3A International, Inc., the leading provider of IEEE 1394 test equipment.
The purchase is a direct result of close business ties forged between the two companies. Yokogawa and 3A have worked together since January 1997, and in May of 1999 Yokogawa signed an alliance agreement with 3A, which included a significant capital investment by Yokogawa in return for 23.1% equity and increased distribution rights for 3A products. That alliance was an expansion of the relationship started in 1997 when Yokogawa obtained an exclusive distributor license for the Asian region, which resulted, particularly in Japan, in Yokogawa capturing 80% of the market.
3A International, Inc, based in Tempe, Arizona, was the first to market with an integrated 1394 test suite, introduced in 1996. 3A's early presence and technical expertise in the market led to successful industry adoption and use of 3A products for most 1394 development projects. 3A was a logical addition to the Yokogawa family because of its robust product line, history of rapidly developing innovative 1394 test equipment, and the quality customer relationships built by 3A since its inception.
From a business standpoint the acquisition combines 3A's research and development successes with Yokogawa's superior distribution channels and presence in the global market, which supports Yokogawa's goal of being a total test equipment solution provider for 1394 and other serial bus technologies. The 3A office in Tempe, Arizona will become the advanced research and development center for the Communications Products group of Yokogawa Corporation of America and will focus on not only IEEE 1394, but also related technologies like Bluetooth.
The transition from 3A to Yokogawa will not change 3A's history of quality product development or active support for current customers. Andreas Schloissnik, former principal, will direct the group's operations as a general manager.
About IEEE 1394
IEEE 1394, also called FireWireR by Apple Computer Inc. and iLINKTM by Sony Corporation, provides a high-speed, low-cost method to interconnect consumer electronics like digital AV products, PCs, and industrial applications. One of the largest growth areas is in digital home networks combining PCs and AV products with 1394 serving as the "Multimedia Bus." For more information about 1394 visit www.1394ta.org.
Yokogawa Corporation of America is the North American Unit of $3 B Yokogawa Electric Corporation, a global leader in the manufacture and supply of instrumentation, process control and automation solutions. Headquartered in Newnan, GA, Yokogawa Corporation of America serves a diverse customer base with market leading products including analyzers, flowmeters, transmitters, controllers, recorders, data acquisition products, meters, instruments, distributed control systems and more. For more information about Yokogawa Corporation of America, visit www.yca.com.
FireWire is a registered trademark of Apple Computer, Inc.
iLINK is a trademark of Sony Corporation.
