Here’s a roundup of recent news from Wisconsin’s high-tech industries:
—Rockwell Automation (NYSE: ROK), the Milwaukee-based seller of hardware and software that enables industrial automation, is forming a joint venture with Houston-based Schlumberger (NYSE: SLB), a maker of products for drilling and other tasks in the oil and gas industry. The new venture, called Sensia, plans to sell software-based automation products and services aimed at helping oil and gas customers improve their operational efficiency. Sensia will be headquartered in Houston and is expected to employ 1,000 people and generate $400 million in annual revenue.
As part of the deal, which is expected to close this summer, Rockwell will pay $250 million in cash to Schlumberger. Rockwell will own 53 percent of the company, and Schlumberger will own 47 percent, according to a press release.
—API Healthcare, a Hartford-based seller of workforce management software and services for the healthcare industry, is being sold for the second time in a year. Houston-based Symplr, a healthcare-focused governance, risk, and compliance software firm backed by Clearlake Capital Group, has agreed to purchase API for an undisclosed price from private equity firm Veritas Capital. Veritas acquired API last year from GE Healthcare as part of a $1.05 billion cash deal. Read the full story here.
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