In its fourth acquisition in a little more than a year, Zebra Technologies Corp. today announced it will purchase Multispectral Solutions Inc. (MSSI) for an undisclosed amount, in a deal that will allow Zebra to build out its wireless portfolio with ultra-wideband, real-time locating systems.
MSSI’s products, including the Sapphire DART real-time locating system, are used in manufacturing, distribution, retail, and government sectors to locate personnel in high-risk environments, such as refineries, and to track inventories, material handling equipment, and component parts in complex manufacturing environments, Zebra said.
The MSSI acquisition is Zebra’s latest attempt to expand its technology expertise beyond bar-coding — which accounts for about 90% of its business — and broaden its range of RFID technologies.
"MSSI's products and technology are an excellent complement to Zebra's Gen 2 passive RFID and other active RFID products," said John Dillon, senior vice president of Zebra Technologies and general manager of Zebra Enterprise Solutions Group, in a statement. "With a strong reputation for quality and innovation, UWB technology from MSSI is particularly attractive for its locating precision and cost advantages in challenging industrial environments.”