Santa Monica, California-based Osicom Technologies Inc, which specializes in fiber optic and wireless communications equipment, has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Rockwell International Corp’s Rockwell Network Systems business for an undisclosed sum in cash (CI No 2,834). The division, which produces intelligent network adapters, remote access routers, and software, has annual sales of around $25m. Rockwell, which also wants to sell its Graphics Systems division, says that the divestitures are part of a strategic move to concentrate on its core semiconductor business. That rationale, however, adds weight to the gossip that it was unable to find a buyer for its Switching Systems division: Rockwell announced plans to sell that unit in June 1994 (CI No 2,429) but announced the following January (CI No 2,583) that it had decided to keep it instead – again, the reason given was strategic. Until now, Osicom has specialized in broadband communications equipment for applicatio ns within specific vertical markets, including medical imaging; distance learning networks; closed circuit television; and airport traffic control. The company said that while the technologies gained through the acquisition will be applied to these markets, the unit will also continue to target mainstream networking applications as it does presently.
