Emerson

Emerson was founded in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1890 as a manufacturer of electric motors and fans. Its corporate history describes a transition from that regional electrical-products business into a global technology company, with growth shaped by internal development and acquisitions over more than 135 years. [1]

Emerson’s current business is centered on industrial automation. The company identifies its headquarters as St. Louis and describes a portfolio of intelligent devices, control systems, and design and optimization software for process industries such as chemical, power and energy; hybrid industries such as life sciences, metals and mining, and food and beverage; and discrete industries including automotive, medical, packaging, and semiconductor manufacturing. [2] [3]

The company has recently narrowed its portfolio through major transactions. Emerson completed its acquisition of National Instruments in October 2023, completed the purchase of the remaining AspenTech shares it did not already own in March 2025, and sold a majority stake in its former Climate Technologies business to Blackstone in May 2023. The separated climate business was named Copeland. [2]

Emerson’s 2025 filing records that it sold its remaining 40 percent non-controlling interest in Copeland and the related note receivable in August 2024. The filing describes these acquisitions and divestitures as part of a strategy to create a more cohesive, higher-growth, higher-margin industrial-technology portfolio, so Copeland should be treated as a former Emerson business rather than an Emerson-controlled operating unit. [2] [4]