BERWYN, PA. — Ametek Inc., which makes electronic instruments and electro-mechanical devices, has purchased the Cognex Corp.'s Surface Inspection Systems division for $160 million.
Based in Hayward, Calif., SSID manufactures inline vision systems to inspect continuously processed materials. End markets include plastics, nonwovens, paper, metals and glass. The business has annual sales of $60 million, according to Ametek.
The Berwyn, Pa.-based Ametek is traded on the New York Stock Exchange.
Ametek Chairman and CEO Frank Hermance called the Surface Inspection Systems division “a global leader in non-destructive process inspection.” The acquisition expands Ametek's presence in that market.
“Among SSID's strengths are its proprietary, high-speed defect recognition technology, software algorithms and deep applications knowledge base,” Hermance said.
The SSID business is part of Ametek's Electronic Instruments Group, which had sales of $2.4 billion. Ametek's total sales are $4 billion.