Barcode printing technology developer Zebra Technologies has signed a deal to buy Motorola Solutions’ enterprise business for $3.5bn in cash.
The acquisition is expected to create a larger company that would specialise in tracking applications for everything from groceries to car parts, according to The Financial Times.
In particular, the new company would address the demand for businesses with knowledge in technology as well as the distribution of physical goods.
Integration of Zebra – which helps Amazon to keep track of its inventory – with Motorola’s enterprise business that makes bar code scanners, is expected to generate annual sales of about $3.5bn, according to people familiar with the discussions.
As per sources, both the companies and their products would be part of the Internet of Things (IoT), which combines technology and hardware to simplify human activities.
Motorola Solutions’ enterprise business manufactures mobile computers and tablets for businesses, and reported a rise in sales to $736m during the fourth quarter of 2013 compared to $733m last year.
