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| Company type | Public |
|---|---|
| Industry | Electrical equipment |
| Predecessor | Emerson Electric Manufacturing Co. |
| Founded | September 24, 1890; 134 years ago (1890-09-24) |
| Founder | John W. Emerson |
| Headquarters | St. Louis, Missouri, U.S. |
Key people |
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| Products |
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| 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] | |
Emerson Electric Co. is an Americanmultinational corporation headquartered inSt. Louis, Missouri.[2][3][4] TheFortune 500 company delivers a range of engineering services, manufactures industrial automation equipment, climate control systems, and precision measurement instruments, and provides software engineering solutions[buzzword] for industrial, commercial, and consumer markets.[5][6][7]
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 conditioning systems, as well asaerospace anddefense solutions.[buzzword][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 intelligence has positioned it as a leader in industrial solutions[buzzword], 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]
Emerson deeply integratessoftware engineering into its operations, with a focus onautomation and 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 maintenance to enhance performance and optimizeasset management in sectors includingpower generation andwater 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 neutrality in its operations.[15]
Emerson was established 1890 inSt. Louis, Missouri, as Emerson Electric Manufacturing Co. byCivil War Union veteranJohn Wesley Emerson to manufactureelectric motors using apatent owned by the Scottish-born brothers Charles and Alexander Meston. In 1892, it became the first to sellelectric fans in 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 itsbusiness by 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 theInSinkErator company.[22]
Charles F. Knight was 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 Farr succeeded 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 Equity acquired 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 ofTextron Tools 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 Instruments in an all-cash transaction valued at $8.2 billion. This acquisition was designed to enhance Emerson’s automation technology capabilities, adding advancedtesting and measurement technologies to its product portfolio and enabling further innovation in its industrial automation business.[31][32]
Emerson 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 was CEO from 2000 to 2021, continued to expand the company's reach into international markets and advanced technology sectors.[34]Jim Turley is the chairman,[35] and Lal Karsanbhai is CEO.[36]
Emerson operates through two primary business units: Automation Solutions and Commercial & Residential Solutions.[37][38] Its Automation Solutions division focuses onprocess automation anddigital transformation, providing software and engineering services to industries likeoil and gas,power generation, andpharmaceuticals.[39] The Commercial & Residential Solutions unit focuses onclimate technologies and residential products, includingheating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems, tools, andcompressors.[40]
In 2008 (using data from 2005), researchers at theUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst identified Emerson as the 97th largest corporate producer ofair pollution in the United States, down from its previous rank of 56th. Majorpollutants indicated by the study includenickel compounds,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 emissions intensity 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 Star Partner of the Year for energy management.[43]
Emerson provides advancedprocess automation, control systems, and software solutions[buzzword] 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[buzzword] to optimize manufacturing processes.[44] Emerson's automation solutions[buzzword] also include predictive maintenance technologies, remote monitoring, and control systems that leverageartificial intelligence,machine learning, andedge computing for enhanced performance.[45] Key products include:
Emerson is a leader inheating, ventilation, and air conditioning andrefrigeration technologies 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:
Emerson Electric also plays a significant role in theaerospace anddefense industry, producing high-performanceavionics equipment.[47][48] The AN/APQ series ofradar systems, which provide advanced targeting and navigation capabilities formilitary aircraft, are key products in this segment. Notable products include:
On 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:
On October 2, 2006, Emerson filed suit in federal court againstNBC regarding a scene that appeared in the pilot episode of the network's TV seriesHeroes. The scene depictedClaire Bennet reaching 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]
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