Invensys

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Invensys Limited was a London-based multinational engineering and information technology company that existed from 1999 to 2014. It was formed by the merger of BTR plc and Siebe plc and traced its roots back to 1920 (Siebe Gorman). The company operated in four main areas—Software, Industrial Automation, Energy Controls, and Appliance—and owned a wide range of brands, including Wonderware, Foxboro, Eurotherm, SimSci, Triconex, Avantis, IMServ, Skelta, InFusion, Drayton, Eliwell, and Eberle. At its peak, Invensys ran offices in more than 50 countries and sold products in about 180 countries.

Invensys faced serious financial difficulties after the dot-com era, partly due to overpaying for acquisitions (notably the Baan ERP system) and heavy debt. It undertook a major restructuring and asset sales around 2004 to reduce debt and restore stability, including selling off several businesses such as the Baan operation. The Rail division, which grew under Invensys Rail, was eventually sold to Siemens in May 2013 for about £1.7 billion.

Invensys’ share price fell sharply around 2011–2012, amid concerns over delays in safety systems for Chinese reactors. The company pursued approaches for a sale, with Emerson Electric showing interest but not making a formal bid. In January 2014, Schneider Electric agreed to acquire Invensys for about $5.5 billion, and the company was fully integrated into Schneider Electric, with the Invensys brand gradually phased out.

Key leadership included Ulf Henriksson as CEO until 2011, followed by Wayne Edmunds, who led the company as it moved toward its sale. Invensys also made notable divestments, such as the Firex Safety Division to United Technologies in 2007. Overall, the four business segments and numerous brands were integrated under Schneider Electric after the acquisition, ending Invensys as a standalone company.