During World War II, under the leadership of Stuart Symington,[9] Emerson became the world's largest manufacturer of airplane armament. Emerson ranked 52nd among United States corporations in the value of World War II military production contracts.[10]
In 1954, W.R. "Buck" Persons was named company president. Under his leadership, Emerson diversified its business by acquiring 36 companies. When he retired in 1973, the company had 82 plants, 31,000 employees, and $800 million in sales.
In 1962, it acquired the United States Electrical Manufacturing Company as the U.S. Electrical Motors Division, including the brand U.S. Motors.[11] In 1968, it acquired the InSinkErator company.[12]
Charles F. Knight served as CEO from 1973 to 2000, and was chairman from 1974 to 2004. His tenure marked the development of a rigorous planning process, new product and technology development, acquisitions and joint ventures, and international growth. David Farr succeeded him as chairman, and was also the CEO until 2021.
On December 15, 1999, Emerson Electric agreed to acquire Jordan Industries Inc.'s telecommunications equipment business for $440 million.[13]
On July 26, 2011, Emerson announced it would locate its Latin America headquarters in Sunrise, Florida.[14]
On December 1, 2016, Platinum Equity acquired the Emerson Network Power business for over $4 billion and rebranded it Vertiv. The acquisition included the brands ASCO, Chloride, Liebert, NetSure, and Trellis.[15]
In July 2018, Emerson completed the purchase of Textron Tools and Test Businesses for $810 million (Including Greenlee, Klauke, HD Electric, and Sherman + Reilly).[16]
On April 1, 2020, Emerson acquired American Governor Company to boost its presence in the hydropower control systems market.[17]
In October 2022, Emerson agreed to sell a 55 percent majority stake in its climate technologies business to private equity firm Blackstone Inc. in a $14billion deal, including debt.[18][19]
Following a nearly year-long negotiation, in April 2023, Emerson agreed to acquire National Instruments in an all-cash deal worth $8.2billion to further its automation business.[20][21]
The company's leaders since the mid-20th century have been, respectively, W. R. Persons (1954–1973; President), Charles Knight (1973–2000, CEO), and David Farr (2000–2021, CEO).[22] The company's chair of the board have been Charles Knight (1974–2004), and David Farr (2004–2021). Jim Turley is the current Chair of the Board.
Emerson is structured into two business units: automation; and commercial and residential.[23][24]
On December 22, 2014, Emerson announced the acquisition of Scotland-based Cascade Technologies Ltd., expanding their gas-analysis portfolio with laser-based measurement analyzers and systems for enhanced industrial emissions monitoring, production efficiencies, and regulatory compliance.[26] Other main Emerson acquisitions and brands include:
On October 2, 2006, Emerson filed suit in federal court against NBC regarding a scene that appeared in the pilot episode of the network's TV series Heroes. The scene depicted Claire Bennet reaching into an active garbage disposal, severely injuring her hand. Emerson's suit claims the scene "casts the disposer in an unsavory light, irreparably tarnishing the product" by suggesting that serious injuries will result "in the event consumers were to accidentally insert their hand into one."
Emerson asked for a ruling barring future broadcasts of the pilot and to block NBC from using any Emerson trademarks in the future.
On February 23, 2007, the case was dropped. NBC Universal and Emerson Electric settled the lawsuit outside of court.[35]
US$15.17 billion (2023)
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