The British instrumentation and controls group Spectris has bought the US industrial networking specialist N-Tron, for $51m. The acquisition is in line with Spectris` strategy of expanding its key business segments.

N-Tron, based in Mobile, Alabama, will become part of Spectris’ Industrial Controls segment and will operate in close co-operation with another US subsidiary, Red Lion Controls, which supplies operator interface products. N-Tron, which employs around 60 people, will keep its own brand and sales structure.

N-Tron’s industrial communications products include managed and unmanaged Ethernet switches, media converters, power-over-Ethernet equipment, and wireless access devices.

“The acceptance of Ethernet in the industrial market for integrating shop-floor information within the business IT infrastructure is rapidly increasing,” says Spectris` CEO, John O`Higgins. “N-Tron`s hardware capabilities will enable us to leverage Red Lion`s communications technologies to meet this demand and to build our position in the industrial controls market around the world.”

Spectris, whose headquarters are in Egham, Surrey, employs around 5,800 worldwide and has offices in 29 countries.