OMRON Corporation (Headquarters: Shimogyo-Ku, Kyoto; President and CEO: Yoshihito Yamada) recently announced that it has entered into an agreement with Spectris plc in the UK regarding its acquisition of the US-based subsidiary of Spectris, Microscan Systems, Inc. (Microscan Systems). Headquartered in Renton, Washington, Microscan Systems is a leading global supplier of industrial code readers. By welcoming Microscan Systems as a new member of the OMRON Group, OMRON seeks to further advance the control of manufacturing equipment and production lines, using IoT to connect virtually all objects on a manufacturing floor, including components and machines. The completion of the acquisition is scheduled for early October of 2017.

Microscan Systems is a world leader in code scanning and decoding technology for industrial applications, and its business is expanding worldwide. The company develops a wide range of code reading devices, including barcode readers, 2D barcode readers, and barcode verifiers. Microscan Systems also possesses one of the most advanced algorithms in the industry, which enables stable reading of codes directly engraved or printed on products, even those with rough, glossy, or curved surfaces.

By inviting Microscan Systems into its Group, OMRON aims to help its customers develop a flexible style of manufacturing that meets increasingly diversified consumer requirements. This will be done by coding the information of all components and production equipment in the manufacturing environment. At the same time, OMRON seeks to help customers avoid frequent quality issues by tracing the source of problems. Through these endeavors, OMRON is determined to create a safe and secure society in collaboration with client companies.

In recent years, manufacturers have become committed to achieving more exacting traceability and enhancing governance regarding product safety as stipulated in the Electronic Industry Citizenship Coalition (EICC) code of conduct. In doing so, they can respond to growing demands for product safety and security, while eliminating quality issues. Final products are becoming increasingly personalised, reflecting the diversification of consumer preferences, and this leads to a growing need for high-mix, low-volume manufacturing.