Teklogix

Teklogix International Inc., or Teklogix, was a tech company founded in 1967 by engineers working at Ferranti-Packard.[1][2] The company focused on mini computer applications. It designed and built complete systems based upon DEC's PDP-8 computer, DEC's logic modules and purpose built logic. Many of the company's projects involved control of material handling systems and this led to the development of radio linked terminals for installation on fork lift trucks complete with multiplexers to interface to a variety of main frame computer systems.

Teklogix International
TypePublic
IndustryTechnology, Wireless Real-Time Data Capture, Computers, Automation, Emulators
Founded1967
FounderRod Coutts, Lawrie Cragg, Al Vanderburgh, Cliff Bernard and Pete Halsall
SuccessorPsion Teklogix
Headquarters
Mississauga, Ontario
,
Canada
Key people
Rod Coutts, Lawrie Cragg, Al Vanderburgh, Cliff Bernard and Pete Halsall
ServicesAutomation, Wireless Real-Time Data Capture
Websitewww.teklogix.com
Footnotes / references
(Website is redirected to www.zebra.com)

In September 2000 Teklogix was acquired by U.K.-based Psion PLC, and became Psion Teklogix Inc.

Founders

The founders are: Rod Coutts, Lawrie Cragg, Al Vanderburgh, Cliff Bernard and Pete Halsall. Lawrie Cragg ran the company as President for the first nine years of its life.
The group met while working at Ferranti International's Canadian division, Ferranti-Packard Electronics. The engineers worked on projects related to FP6000 (Ferranti-Packard 6000, which became the ICL 1900), ReserVec, Back Up Interceptor Control (BUIC)[3] for the United States Military, as well as Ferranti-Packard's drum memory systems. The group left Ferranti-Packard and formed Teklogix.[4]

  • The founding members managed to collect $10,000 in initial subscribed capital, with an additional $8,000 provided by Pete Halsall, when he was made a full partner in the early 70's.[5]
  • In the year 2000, the company was purchased by Psion for £240 million, or $544 million (CDN).

History

On September 20, 1967, Teklogix was formed by a group of five engineers. The first contract came from I. P. Sharp Associates (another Ferranti offspring) that involved the interface of a DEC PDP-8 computer to an X-ray spectrometer. The system controlled reagent feeders in a copper and zinc flotation mill. The objective was to analyze the mine head (i.e. what was coming out of the mine) using on-line X-ray spectroscopy and, then, using mathematical algorithms developed by University of Toronto, add the appropriate amounts of reagent to optimize mineral recovery.

In 1972, Teklogix was awarded a contract from Canada Post to control a tilt-tray mail sorter system. The company went on to be a primary supplier of sortation and conveyor control systems for the next decade.

In 1980, Teklogix introduced wireless real-time data collection solutions.

In 1981, the company was awarded a contract with U.S. Defense General Supply Agency (DGSC) to develop a real-time on-board pick information system for 37 Raymond pick vehicles. The next few years attracted more high-profile clients, such as General Motors, Digital Equipment Corp., General Dynamics, Avon and Owens Corning.

1988 - Teklogix opened its first U.S. office in Florence, Kentucky.
1992 - Teklogix was expanded to Europe and Pacific Rim. In the summer of 1992, Teklogix produced its 10,000th terminal.
1993 - An executive, principal engineers, and several other Teklogix employees resign and start a competing company, WaveLink Technologies, which is subsequently bought by Amtech Corp. of Dallas, Texas.[6]
1994 - Teklogix launches a $7.8 million lawsuit against WaveLink and Amtech for improper use of confidential information, theft of technology, and misappropriation of business opportunities.
1995 - Teklogix announced its IPO on the Toronto Stock Exchange.[7]
1996 - In June, Teklogix has relocated its office to the current Psion Teklogix corporate office, in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. Teklogix was expanded to South America thru the opening of 4 offices in Mexico DF, São Paulo, Santiago de Chile and Buenos AIres.
1997 - Company acquired Badger Mobile Computing.[8]
2000 - In September 2000 Teklogix was acquired by U.K.-based Psion PLC, and became Psion Teklogix Inc.[9]
2011 - Psion has shortened its operating company name, removing the name “Teklogix”.[10]
2012 - Psion was acquired by Motorola Solutions on Oct. 1, 2012.[11][12]
2014 - In October, Zebra Technologies acquired Motorola Solutions' Enterprise business which included Symbol Technologies and Psion for $3.45 billion in cash.[13]

References
  1. "Lawrence Cragg Obituary (1928 - 2021) - Burlington, ON - The Hamilton Spectator". www.legacy.com. Retrieved 2021-04-20.
  2. "FP-6000 -- From DATAR To The FP-6000". ewh.ieee.org. Retrieved 2021-04-20.
  3. Also see Semi Automatic Ground Environment (SAGE)
  4. Norman R. Ball, John N. Vardalas (1994). "Ferranti-Packard: Pioneers in Canadian Electrical Manufacturing". Illustrated Version. McGill-Queen's Press. p. 260. ISBN 978-0-7735-0983-2.
  5. 2004 Kickoff Meeting - Speech Address to Psion Teklogix' employees, February 2004, by Special Guest Rod Coutts (Retired), Denver, Colorado, page 3-4, provided by Psion Teklogix
  6. Amtech Corp's 1995 Annual Report Archived 2016-03-03 at the Wayback Machine
  7. Psion Teklogix Corporate Presentation Archived 2007-05-08 at the Wayback Machine
  8. "TEKLOGIX INTERNATIONAL INC. ANNOUNCES THAT IT HAS FILED A PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS IN CANADA". Business Wire. D&B, AllBusiness.com. August 10, 1995. Retrieved 2009-02-09.
  9. "Psion PLC CEO And Teklogix President and CEO to Interview On RadioWallStreet.com". Business Wire. D&B, AllBusiness.com. July 13, 2000. Retrieved 2009-02-09.
  10. "Psion Removes "Teklogix" Name and Refreshes Corporate Identity". Business Wire. Psion. January 31, 2011. Archived from the original on 2013-02-01. Retrieved 2011-02-23.
  11. Dunn, John E. (2012-06-18). "Psion bought by Motorola Solutions for $200 million". Network World. Retrieved 2020-04-23.
  12. Webster, Andrew (2012-06-15). "Motorola Solutions acquires Psion for $200 million". The Verge. Retrieved 2020-04-23.
  13. "Zebra To Acquire Motorola Solutions' Enterprise Business". Zebra.com. Retrieved 17 June 2015.
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