MOBILE, Alabama. October 5, 2010. N-TRON Corp., a leading manufacturer of rugged industrial networking components announced that it has been purchased by Spectris plc (“Spectris”), the productivity-enhancing instrumentation and controls company. N-TRON is based in Mobile, Alabama, USA, and employs around 60 people.

The acquisition of N-TRON is in line with Spectris’ strategy to grow its key strategic business segments. N-TRON is a leading manufacturer of Ethernet switches---the products used to connect multiple Ethernet devices to each other and to build networks---and associated components for the industrial, infrastructure and power generation markets.

N-TRON, a brand that has become synonymous with hardened Ethernet products, is the most recent addition to Spectris’ portfolio of market leading precision instrumentation, electronic controls and process technology companies. N-TRON will operate within Spectris’ Industrial Controls business segment, while maintaining its own brand and sales distribution network.

Warren Nicholson, President and Founder of N-TRON, said, “N-TRON has found an excellent home in Spectris. Today’s customers require suppliers to have a global presence and global reach. Spectris will enable N-TRON to meet those customer expectations.”

Nicholson is leaving N-TRON and has agreed to consult N-TRON and Spectris to ensure a smooth integration and transition period.

John O’Higgins, Chief Executive of Spectris, commented, “The acceptance of Ethernet in the industrial market for integrating shop-floor information within the business IT infrastructure is rapidly increasing. N-TRON’s hardware capabilities will enable us to leverage our current communications technologies to meet this demand and to build our position in the industrial controls market around the world.”