Variohm Holdings Group, based in Towcester, UK, has added encoder and magnetics sensor specialist Phoenix America to its group of companies which now have an expanded presence in North America. Located in Fort Wayne, Indiana, Phoenix America develops and manufactures absolute and incremental encoders, speed and proximity sensors, custom molded magnets, Hall commutators and magnetic assemblies.
The acquisition provides significant opportunities for both parties — a European marketing platform for Phoenix America and for the five European-based members of the Variohm Group, a USA sales and support channel for its various sensor, measurement and motion control solutions businesses.
“Phoenix America is a well-established technology leader in the USA market, providing a real foothold for marketing and supporting the Group’s products ‘across the pond’, whilst our UK and German sales teams, with their in-depth knowledge of sensors, measurement systems and motion controls are thrilled to have a new and very market-driven product range on board,” said Graham Pattison, managing director of Variohm Group.
“The acquisition and the synergy of Group’s product range substantially boosts our offer to existing and new customers in the USA, and with the support of the Variohm Group’s European sales and applications engineering capability, will provide the potential for our future global growth,” added Scott Mentzer, COO of Phoenix America.
Phoenix America was founded in 2000 after purchasing bonded magnet technology assets for the disk drive industry from Xolox Inc. The product range has been expanded considerably to span several types of rotary encoder and sensor technologies including Hall Effect, GMR, AMR, magnetoresisitive and reed switch. With its expertise centered on the magnetic compounds and magnetic targets as well as the final product design, the company serves a wide variety of position feedback and measurement applications including servo motion control, flow sensing, renewable energy systems, textiles and paper processing and robotics.
In addition to the non-contacting nature of its magnetic sensor technologies, its encoders rely only on the proximity of separate magnet and sensor electronics components so do not require bearings or drive shafts as do traditional encoders or other feedback devices. It also supplies other magnetic technology products including proximity sensors, speed sensors, angle sensors, gear tooth sensors, servo motor hall commutation sensors, magnet assemblies as well as custom design services. It is one of the few magnet manufacturers outside of Asia using their own developed compounds, internally designed and manufactured tooling and custom magnetizing processes, the company says.
Phoenix America becomes the sixth business in the Variohm Holdings Group. Others are Variohm EuroSensor, a manufacturer of sensors and transducers; Herga Technology, a supplier of switching and sensing solutions; Ixthus Instrumentation, specialist measurement systems; Heason Technology, motion control components and systems; and Positek Limited, which specializes in linear and rotary voltage displacement sensing. For more info, see www.variohm.com and www.phoenixamerica.com.
