Intermec

Intermec, Inc. was an American technology company that developed and supplied automatic identification and data-capture equipment. Its portfolio covered barcode scanning, barcode printing, mobile computing, radio-frequency identification, wireless connectivity, voice-directed work systems, software tools, and lifecycle services. These technologies were used to capture, identify, transmit, and manage information moving through operational environments rather than to serve as consumer electronics products. The company traced its origins to Interface Mechanisms, formed in 1966, and adopted the Intermec name in 1982. Over subsequent decades, its ownership and corporate structure changed several times. It became part of Litton Industries in 1991, moved to Western Atlas following a Litton spin-off in 1994, and then became associated with UNOVA after another corporate separation in 1997. During this period, Intermec expanded its capabilities through acquisitions and technology purchases, including Norand, United Barcode Industries, IBM RFID semiconductor technology, and the high-frequency RFID business of Amtech Corporation. Intermec’s principal commercial role was to automate supply-chain processes. Its equipment and software supported manufacturing, warehousing, distribution, retail, transportation and logistics, direct-store delivery, and field service. Product families included RFID readers, printers, tags, and labels; barcode scanners, printers, and media; rugged and handheld mobile computers; wireless networks; software utilities; voice-recognition hardware and software; and lifecycle services intended to support deployments after installation. The company also produced specialized handheld computing products, including the Intermec 6651, a clamshell handheld PC introduced around 2000 with features such as a PC card slot, camera, modem, and VGA output. Intermec developed a substantial intellectual-property position in RFID and reported a customer base that included a large proportion of Fortune 500 and Fortune 100 companies. Its position was built around enterprise identification and information workflows: products were generally deployed as components of larger operational systems, linking physical goods, workers, locations, and transactions. This made the company relevant to organizations seeking visibility and automation across distribution networks rather than simply purchasing standalone hardware. In 2006, UNOVA changed its corporate name to Intermec, Inc., while retaining Intermec Technologies as a subsidiary. The company later broadened its offering through the 2011 acquisition of Vocollect, a private voice-technology company, and Enterprise Mobile, a lifecycle-services business. These additions strengthened its presence in voice-directed work and post-deployment support. On December 10, 2012, Intermec announced an agreement to be acquired by Honeywell International in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $600 million. Intermec stockholders approved the merger on March 19, 2013. The transaction subsequently received European Commission approval on June 14, 2013, and U.S. Federal Trade Commission clearance was announced on September 13, 2013. Honeywell completed the acquisition in 2013 and integrated Intermec into Honeywell Scanning & Mobility within the Automation and Control Solutions business. Intermec therefore ceased to operate as an independent public company, although its technologies and product heritage continued within Honeywell’s identification, scanning, mobility, and automation activities.

Intermec began in 1966 as Interface Mechanisms. The company’s early and later development centered on technologies that could identify physical items and capture operational data electronically. It changed its name to Intermec Corporation in 1982, establishing the identity under which it became associated with barcode, mobile-computing, RFID, and related enterprise systems. A series of ownership changes shaped the company during the 1990s. Litton Industries acquired Intermec in 1991. Ownership then transferred to Western Atlas in 1994 after a Litton spin-off, and to UNOVA in 1997 following a Western Atlas spin-off. Intermec expanded its product and technology base in 1997 by acquiring Norand and United Barcode Industries. In the same year, it acquired RFID semiconductor technology from IBM. In 1998, it acquired Amtech Corporation’s high-frequency RFID business, known as Amtech Transportation Systems. These transactions helped establish Intermec as a supplier with capabilities across several layers of enterprise identification. Its offering included RFID readers, printers, tags, and labels; barcode scanners and printers; mobile computers; wireless networks; software tools; voice systems; and lifecycle services. The company’s equipment was used in manufacturing, warehousing, distribution, retail, transportation and logistics, direct-store delivery, and field service. Rather than focusing on one isolated device category, Intermec addressed the workflow connecting goods, employees, locations, and business systems. In 2000, Intermec produced the 6651 clamshell handheld PC. The device was notable for combining handheld computing with features including a PC card slot, camera, modem, and VGA output. It illustrates the company’s interest in specialized mobile computing for professional and operational use. In 2006, UNOVA adopted Intermec, Inc. as its corporate name, while retaining Intermec Technologies as a subsidiary. The company later extended its capabilities beyond identification hardware. In 2011 it acquired Vocollect, a private company specializing in voice technology, and Enterprise Mobile, a lifecycle-services company. These acquisitions added voice-directed workflows and services supporting the deployment and ongoing management of mobile technology. Intermec was publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange and developed patents in RFID. Its customers reportedly included 75 percent of Fortune 500 companies and 60 percent of Fortune 100 companies, reflecting a focus on large enterprise deployments. On December 10, 2012, Intermec announced that it had agreed to be acquired by Honeywell International in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $600 million. Intermec stockholders approved the merger on March 19, 2013. Regulatory steps followed, including European Commission approval on June 14 and announced Federal Trade Commission clearance on September 13. Honeywell acquired Intermec in 2013 and integrated it with Honeywell Scanning & Mobility in the Automation and Control Solutions business. Intermec consequently ceased to exist as an independent public company, while its product capabilities and technology heritage continued within Honeywell’s scanning, mobility, and automation operations.

• 2013

  Honeywell acquisition completed

  [1]Intermecen.wikipedia.org

  Honeywell acquires Intermec and integrates the business into Honeywell Scanning & Mobility.

• 2011

  Vocollect and Enterprise Mobile acquired

  [1]Intermecen.wikipedia.org

  Intermec acquires Vocollect for voice technology and Enterprise Mobile for lifecycle services.

• 2006

  UNOVA becomes Intermec, Inc.

  [1]Intermecen.wikipedia.org

  UNOVA changes its corporate name to Intermec, Inc., retaining Intermec Technologies as a subsidiary.

• 2000

  Intermec 6651 handheld PC produced

  [1]Intermecen.wikipedia.org

  Intermec produces the 6651 clamshell handheld PC with integrated professional-computing features.

• 1998

  Amtech high-frequency RFID business acquired

  [1]Intermecen.wikipedia.org

  Intermec acquires Amtech Corporation’s high-frequency RFID business, Amtech Transportation Systems.

• 1997

  Intermec becomes associated with UNOVA and expands through acquisitions

  [1]Intermecen.wikipedia.org

  Ownership transfers to UNOVA, while Intermec acquires Norand and United Barcode Industries and obtains RFID semiconductor technology from IBM.

• 1994

  Ownership transfers to Western Atlas

  [1]Intermecen.wikipedia.org

  Following a Litton spin-off, ownership of Intermec transfers to Western Atlas.

• 1991

  Acquired by Litton Industries

  [1]Intermecen.wikipedia.org

  Intermec becomes part of Litton Industries.

• 1982

  Company adopts the Intermec name

  [1]Intermecen.wikipedia.org

  Interface Mechanisms changes its name to Intermec Corporation.

• 1966

  Interface Mechanisms is formed

  [1]Intermecen.wikipedia.org

  The company that would become Intermec begins operations under the name Interface Mechanisms.

Enterprise automatic-identification and data-capture technology provider focused on automating supply-chain, warehouse, logistics, retail, manufacturing, and field-service operations.

• Radio-frequency identification

  RFID systems

  Intermec’s RFID portfolio included readers, printers, tags, and labels used to identify and track objects without relying exclusively on line-of-sight barcode scanning. The company also held RFID-related patents and acquired semiconductor and high-frequency RFID technologies, supporting deployments in supply-chain, transportation, logistics, and other enterprise environments.

• Automatic identification equipment

  Barcode scanners

  Intermec barcode scanners captured machine-readable product and shipment information in operational settings. They formed part of broader identification systems used in manufacturing, warehouses, distribution centers, retail, transportation, direct-store delivery, and field service, where scanned data could be connected to inventory, fulfillment, or service workflows.

• Printing and labeling

  Barcode printers and media

  Intermec supplied barcode printers and associated media for producing labels used to identify goods, packages, assets, and operational transactions. These products supported the company’s broader supply-chain automation proposition by pairing physical labeling with scanners, mobile computers, software, and enterprise data systems.

• Enterprise mobile computing

  Mobile computers

  Intermec mobile computers were designed for workers operating in warehouses, distribution, retail, transportation, logistics, and field-service environments. The range included handheld and specialized devices intended to combine data capture with wireless communication and software access, allowing information to be recorded close to the physical work being performed.

• Handheld PC · 2000

  Intermec 6651

  The Intermec 6651 was an unusual clamshell handheld PC produced around 2000. Its feature set included a PC card slot, camera, modem, and VGA output, reflecting Intermec’s focus on specialized mobile computing and professional users rather than conventional consumer notebook design.

• Enterprise connectivity

  Wireless networks

  Intermec’s wireless-network products supported connectivity among mobile computers, scanners, printers, workers, and enterprise systems. They were positioned as infrastructure for operational environments in which inventory, shipment, retail, or field-service information needed to move between devices and back-office applications.

• Voice-directed work technology · 2011

  Voice recognition systems

  Intermec supplied voice-recognition hardware and software for hands-free or voice-directed operational workflows. The company expanded this area through its 2011 acquisition of Vocollect, adding voice technology to its existing portfolio of scanning, mobility, RFID, and supply-chain automation products.

• Technology services · 2011

  Lifecycle services

  Intermec provided lifecycle services intended to support the deployment, operation, maintenance, and ongoing management of automatic-identification and mobile-computing environments. The company strengthened this capability through its 2011 acquisition of Enterprise Mobile, complementing its hardware and software business with post-sale operational support.

• 2013

  Integration into Honeywell Scanning & MobilityStrategy

  Background

  After the acquisition, Honeywell sought to combine Intermec’s identification, mobility, RFID, voice, and services capabilities with its existing scanning and mobility activities.

  Action taken

  Honeywell integrated Intermec into Honeywell Scanning & Mobility within the Automation and Control Solutions business.

  Aftermath

  Intermec ceased operating as an independent public company, while its technology and product heritage continued within Honeywell’s automation portfolio.

  Source

• 2012

  Agreement to be acquired by HoneywellM&A

  Background

  Intermec operated as a publicly traded provider of identification, mobility, RFID, voice, and lifecycle technologies. Honeywell announced an agreement to acquire the company in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $600 million.

  Action taken

  Intermec agreed to the Honeywell acquisition, subject to stockholder and regulatory approvals.

  Aftermath

  Stockholders approved the merger in March 2013. European and U.S. regulatory clearances followed, and Honeywell completed the acquisition in 2013.

  Transaction value. Approximately $600 million (Announced December 10, 2012)

  Source

• 2013

  Intermec stockholders approve Honeywell merger[1]Intermecen.wikipedia.org

  M&A

  Intermec stockholders approved the proposed acquisition by Honeywell on March 19, 2013.

• 2013

  European Commission clears Honeywell acquisition of Intermec[1]Intermecen.wikipedia.org

  M&A · Regulation

  The European Commission approved the transaction on June 14, 2013.

• 2013

  FTC clearance announced for Honeywell acquisition[1]Intermecen.wikipedia.org

  M&A · Regulation

  U.S. Federal Trade Commission clearance for the acquisition was announced on September 13, 2013.

• 2013

  Honeywell integrates Intermec into Scanning & Mobility business[1]Intermecen.wikipedia.org

  M&A

  Following the acquisition, Honeywell integrated Intermec with Honeywell Scanning & Mobility within its Automation and Control Solutions business.

• 2012

  Intermec agrees to be acquired by Honeywell[1]Intermecen.wikipedia.org

  M&A

  Intermec announced an agreement under which Honeywell International would acquire the company in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $600 million.

1. 1Intermecen.wikipedia.org