GE Automation & Controls
GE's automation and controls business segment.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
GE Automation & Controls was the General Electric business associated with industrial automation, control engineering, and embedded or operational technology. Its activities developed from the GE–FANUC automation joint venture established in 1986 and later continued under the GE Intelligent Platforms name. The business combined automation hardware, software, industrial computing, control systems, and related engineering support for companies operating complex industrial assets. The portfolio was centered on programmable logic controllers (PLCs), programmable automation controllers (PACs), input/output systems, field devices, industrial software, and embedded computing technologies. These products were used to monitor equipment, coordinate production processes, collect operational data, and support the design, commissioning, and ongoing operation of industrial facilities. The business served a broad range of sectors, including discrete and process manufacturing, food and beverage, life sciences, power generation, oil and gas, mining and metals, water and wastewater, and specialty machinery. The business changed identity several times as GE expanded and reorganized its automation activities. It began within GE Fanuc Automation Corporation, a joint venture between General Electric and FANUC. The venture created operating companies in North America, Europe, and Asia, and established a technology base spanning factory automation, numerical control, industrial software, and embedded systems. In 2007, the GE Fanuc organization was renamed GE Fanuc Intelligent Platforms. In 2009, GE and FANUC agreed to dissolve the joint venture, after which GE retained the software, controls, and embedded businesses under the GE Intelligent Platforms name. A major portfolio change occurred in 2015, when GE Intelligent Platforms was renamed Automation & Controls following GE's acquisition of Alstom's Power Automation & Controls business. This expanded the organization beyond factory and machine automation into technologies used in power and other industrial infrastructure applications. The business also reflected a long acquisition program, with purchases and technology acquisitions covering industrial software, control products, embedded computing, simulation or analytics capabilities, and related hardware. GE later pursued a broader restructuring of its industrial portfolio. In 2018, Emerson Electric announced plans to acquire GE Intelligent Platforms, and the transaction was completed on February 1, 2019. Following the transaction, the former GE Intelligent Platforms activities became part of Emerson's Discrete Automation business. Accordingly, GE Automation & Controls is best understood as a historical GE business identity rather than an independent current company or separately listed brand. Its technology lineage continues through the assets and product activities integrated into Emerson, while the GE-branded business itself is no longer an active standalone operating entity.
History
GE Automation & Controls traces its organizational history to the creation of GE Fanuc Automation Corporation in 1986. The venture was established jointly by General Electric and FANUC to develop and market industrial automation technologies. It operated through regional entities including GE Fanuc Automation North America in the United States, GE Fanuc Automation Europe in Luxembourg, and FANUC GE Automation Asia in Japan, which was established in 1987. This structure gave the business a multinational base in factory automation, numerical control, industrial controls, and related software. The organization expanded its capabilities through a series of acquisitions and technology purchases. In the late 1990s and 2000s, the portfolio added businesses and technologies associated with control products, industrial visualization, embedded computing, software, and engineering tools. Recorded transactions included AFE Technologies, Total Control Products, DataViews, VMIC, Intellution, RAMiX, Mountain Systems, Condor Engineering technology assets, SBS Technologies, Radstone Technology, and process-technology assets from MTL Instruments Group. These additions helped broaden the business from conventional automation controls into industrial software and embedded systems. In 2007, the company changed its name to GE Fanuc Intelligent Platforms. The European automation organization also adopted the Intelligent Platforms identity, while the European CNC business adopted a FANUC GE CNC name. In 2009, GE and FANUC agreed to dissolve their joint venture. GE retained the software, controls, and embedded businesses, which then operated as GE Intelligent Platforms rather than as a jointly owned GE Fanuc enterprise. The business continued to expand its industrial software and analytics capabilities. In 2011, it acquired SmartSignal and technology assets from CSense Systems. These transactions complemented its automation portfolio with capabilities related to industrial monitoring, analytics, and process improvement. In 2015, GE acquired Alstom's Power Automation & Controls business and changed the GE Intelligent Platforms name to Automation & Controls. The acquisition connected GE's existing factory and industrial automation activities with power-sector automation and control technologies. GE also reshaped the portfolio during this period. In 2015, its embedded systems division was sold to Veritas Capital and subsequently became known as Abaco Systems. This separated part of the embedded-computing operation from the remaining automation and controls activities. As General Electric undertook wider restructuring, Emerson Electric announced in 2018 that it would acquire GE Intelligent Platforms. The transaction closed on February 1, 2019. The acquired business was integrated into Emerson's Discrete Automation business. This ended GE Automation & Controls' existence as a standalone GE operating identity, although its technologies and product heritage continued within Emerson's industrial automation portfolio.
- 2019
Emerson completes the acquisition
[1]The transaction closes on February 1, 2019, and the acquired activities become part of Emerson's Discrete Automation business.
- 2018
Emerson announces acquisition plans
[1]Emerson Electric announces plans to acquire GE Intelligent Platforms amid GE's broader restructuring.
- 2015
Alstom Power Automation & Controls is acquired
[1]GE acquires Alstom's Power Automation & Controls business and renames GE Intelligent Platforms as Automation & Controls.
- 2015
Embedded systems division is sold
[1]GE sells its embedded systems division to Veritas Capital; the business later becomes known as Abaco Systems.
- 2011
SmartSignal and CSense technology assets are added
[1]GE acquires SmartSignal and technology assets from CSense Systems to expand industrial monitoring and analytics capabilities.
- 2009
GE and FANUC dissolve the joint venture
[1]GE retains the software, controls, and embedded businesses and operates them as GE Intelligent Platforms.
- 2007
The business is renamed GE Fanuc Intelligent Platforms
[1]GE Fanuc Automation adopts the Intelligent Platforms identity, reflecting a broader portfolio spanning controls, software, and embedded technologies.
- 2002
Intellution is acquired
[1]The acquisition strengthens GE's industrial software and supervisory control activities.
- 2001
VMIC is acquired
[1]VMIC becomes part of the business's expanding embedded and industrial-computing portfolio.
- 2000
DataViews is acquired
[1]GE Fanuc acquires DataViews Corp., adding to its industrial software and visualization capabilities.
Products and positioning
An industrial automation and controls supplier positioned around integrated hardware, software, embedded computing, and engineering services for complex manufacturing, infrastructure, and process-industry operations.
Industrial control hardware
Programmable Logic Controllers
PLC-based control systems formed a core part of the business's industrial automation offering. They were used to execute control logic, coordinate machinery, monitor production equipment, and connect plant-floor devices with broader automation architectures.
Industrial control hardware
Programmable Automation Controllers
PAC-based systems provided a more integrated control platform for applications requiring coordinated logic, motion, data handling, and communications. They supported automation projects across manufacturing and process-oriented industrial environments.
Industrial automation hardware
Industrial I/O and field devices
The portfolio included input/output systems and field devices used to collect signals from industrial equipment and transmit control commands. These components helped connect sensors, actuators, machines, and process equipment to PLC- and PAC-based systems.
Industrial software
Industrial software
GE Automation & Controls supplied software used in industrial supervision, visualization, configuration, monitoring, and operational support. The software portfolio developed through internal activity and acquisitions and was intended to help customers design, commission, operate, and improve industrial assets.
Embedded industrial technology
Embedded computing and control technologies
Embedded systems and related control technologies supported specialized industrial equipment and automation applications. This area was developed through acquisitions and technology additions, although GE later sold its embedded systems division to Veritas Capital in 2015.
Industrial services
Automation engineering and lifecycle services
The business supported customers beyond the sale of equipment through services related to system design, commissioning, operation, and industrial asset support. These capabilities were relevant to manufacturing, infrastructure, utilities, and process industries.
Brand decisions
2018
Agreement to sell GE Intelligent Platforms to EmersonM&ABackground
The planned transaction formed part of General Electric's wider restructuring and portfolio review.
Action taken
GE agreed to sell GE Intelligent Platforms to Emerson Electric.
Aftermath
The acquisition closed on February 1, 2019, and the business was integrated into Emerson's Discrete Automation organization.
2015
Acquisition of Alstom Power Automation & ControlsM&ABackground
GE expanded its industrial automation portfolio through the acquisition of Alstom's Power Automation & Controls business.
Action taken
GE integrated the acquired activities and changed the GE Intelligent Platforms name to Automation & Controls.
Aftermath
The business gained a stronger connection to power-sector automation and control applications.
2015
Sale of the embedded systems divisionM&ABackground
GE reviewed and reshaped the scope of its automation and controls portfolio.
Action taken
GE sold its embedded systems division to Veritas Capital.
Aftermath
The divested business later operated as Abaco Systems, separating it from GE's remaining automation activities.
2009
Dissolution of the GE–FANUC joint ventureStrategyBackground
GE and FANUC agreed to end their joint venture after more than two decades of shared operation in industrial automation.
Action taken
GE retained the software, controls, and embedded businesses and reorganized them under the GE Intelligent Platforms identity.
Aftermath
The business continued as a wholly GE-owned industrial technology operation rather than a joint GE–FANUC company.
Recent events
- 2019
Emerson completes acquisition of GE Intelligent Platforms[1]
M&A
Emerson Electric completed its acquisition of GE Intelligent Platforms on February 1, 2019. The acquired activities became part of Emerson's Discrete Automation business.
- 2015
GE renames Intelligent Platforms after acquiring Alstom power automation activities[1]
M&A · Leadership change
GE Intelligent Platforms became Automation & Controls after GE acquired Alstom's Power Automation & Controls business, broadening the business's industrial and power-automation scope.
- 2009
GE and FANUC agree to dissolve their automation joint venture[1]
Other
General Electric and FANUC agreed to end their joint venture, with GE retaining the software, controls, and embedded businesses that subsequently operated as GE Intelligent Platforms.
Sources1 sources
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