| FMC Technologies' Spirit of Invention
was born in 1883 when founder John Bean created an innovative
insecticide spray pump to combat scale, an infestation
that was ravaging California's orchards and endangering
the livelihood of growers. Today, FMC Technologies continues
changing lives as an innovative force behind automated
material handling, where our automated guided vehicle
(AGV) systems maintain leading market positions.
1967 FMC aquires Link-Belt Company, a Chicago
based manufacturer of material handling equipment.
1969 FMC re-organizes Link-Belt, forming the
Material Handling Equipment Division.
1981 FMC designs and builds its first wire guided
automated guided vehicle (AGV) for IBM Corporation.
1985 The Material Handling Equipment Division
moves from facility in Colmar, PA to Chalfont, PA. This
includes engineering and manufacturing resources.
1990 The Material Handling Equipment Division
group responsible for the Unit Handling and AGV Product
Lines is renamed Automated Material Handling Systems.
1995 FMC aquires the AGV product line from Caterpillar.
This aquisition includes Cat's laser guidance technology
and the engineering and manufacturing resources in Leicester,
UK.
1997 FMC opens project management,
sales and support office in Belgium.
1998 FMC improves Cat's laser guidance controls
package, introducing SGV 2000 which features single
stripe targets and a more robust laser unit.
1999 FMC opens project management,
sales and support office in France.
2000 FMC introduces the software tool
Layout Wizard to allow quick/easy road system development
and changes.
2001 FMC restructures the company
into two separate, publicly traded companies - a machinery
business (FMC Technologies) and a chemicals business
(FMC Corporation).
2003 Automated Material Handling Systems
group responsible for the Unit Handling and AGV Product
Lines is renamed Automated Systems.
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