Listen in: GE Fanuc to acquire MTL open systems technology

GE Fanuc Intelligent Platforms and MTL Instruments Group announced that GE Fanuc will acquire assets of the MTL Open Systems Technology (MOST) product lines, including MTL8000 general purpose I/O, intrinsically safe I/O, SafetyNet system and process control technologies. Listen in, a 2.5 minute soundbite interview is included ....

By Control Engineering Staff April 4, 2008

Charlottsville, VA –

GE Fanuc Intelligent Platforms

and

MTL Instruments Group

announced that GE Fanuc will acquire assets of the MTL Open Systems Technology (MOST) product lines. These include the MTL8000 general purpose I/O, intrinsically safe I/O, SafetyNet system and process control technologies. Terms of the purchase were not disclosed.

Listen in: Craig Thorsland, manager of Proficy solutions marketing for GE Fanuc, tells Control Engineering

(2.5 minutes; MP3 format).

With SafetyNet technology, one logic solver provides a SIL 2 approved solution, and a second redundant controller can be added for increased system availability.

The move is consistent with GE Fanuc’s interest in expanding its presence in process industries. “This acquisition illustrates GE Fanuc’s commitment to the process market segments and will further enhance our offerings by providing customers with a superior line of SIL2 controls, intrinsically safe rated I/O modules and process control technologies,” says Bill Estep, vice president of GE Fanuc’s control systems business. “Customers with the need for intrinsically safe field mounted I/O will benefit from this new offering.”These product lines are designed for deployment in hazardous areas (Division 2/Zone2 or Division 2/Zone 1) common in industries such as oil and gas, chemical, petrochemical and other heavy process segments. Included are SIL2, IEC 61508 compliant safety-related products, including process shut down (PSD), emergency shut down (ESD), and burner management systems.“When GE Fanuc launched its Proficy Process Systems last year, we took an open approach toward supporting fieldbus technology and I/O,” says Steve Ryan, GE Fanuc director of process solutions. “The addition of the MTL8000 line of I/O re-emphasizes our commitment to providing our customer with the freedom to choose the I/O, safety, and process control strategy that best meets their needs.”Graham Philip, CEO of MTL sees the acquisition as an opportunity to expand the company’s reach. “MTL Open Systems Technology solutions have been proving themselves around the globe and across many industries for the past 10 years,” he says. “Combining them with the global reach of GE Fanuc Intelligent Platforms and their new GE Fanuc Process Solutions will provide OEMs and end users with highly competitive choices at a great value.”MTL originated

News from Interkama 2001

.”In separate news,

Cooper Industries announced Feb. 11 that it acquired MTL Instruments Group

.See also from Control Engineering :

Does your safety-instrumented system really require SIL 3?

Control Engineering offers a

Top 5 Things you Need to Know about Process Safety Webcast

, to be archived for a time after the– Edited by Peter Welander , process industries editor Control Engineering News Desk( Register here and scroll down to select your choice of eNewsletters free .)