A Tradition of Innovation
Emerson Process Management Power & Water Solutions, formerly Westinghouse Process Control, has been at the forefront of the digital process control industry since its inception. In 1959, Westinghouse engineers developed the PRODAC 4449, the world's first digital computer designed specifically for process control applications. These early systems were delivered to the steel industry for use in rolling mill drives applications, and were followed quickly by a revised version of the PRODAC, the P50 mini-computer for use in electric utility turbine control. In 1963, Westinghouse acquired the Hagan Control Corporation, a world leader in boiler and furnace control equipment for the electric utility and steel industries. The combination of Westinghouse's digital technology and Hagan's process expertise formed the beginnings of Westinghouse Process Control.

Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Westinghouse Process Control (WPC) developed a series of products including the 7300 analog computer and the P2000 and W2500 digital computers for process control applications in the electric utility and steel industries. Hundreds of these early systems remain in operation to this day, a testament to their quality, reliability and functionality. In the late 70s, WPC engineers began development on WDPF® (the Westinghouse Distributed Processing Family), a full function distributed control system which featured microprocessor-based controllers, a distributed global database, and what was widely recognized as the most powerful and reliable network architecture in the industry. Since its introduction to the market in 1982, more than 3000 WDPF® systems have been delivered for applications in nuclear and fossil power generation, water and wastewater treatment, chemical and metals processes, and a variety of other industrial control applications that require high process reliability.

Westinghouse Process Control (WPC) expanded into international markets during the 1970s, developing a substantial installed base of 7300 and W2500 series systems in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. The Company established a permanent sales presence, either directly or through distributors, throughout Europe, China, and South Asia by the mid-1980s to support WDPF® system sales and service. WPC expanded its international commitment with the establishment of regional headquarters facilities in Warsaw, Poland, and Singapore in 1991, the formation of a major joint-venture in China in 1994, and the opening of the India Engineering Company in 1997.

With the launch of the Ovation® Control and Information System in March of 1997, WPC redefined the process control industry with a technology acknowledged by both industry observers and customers to be at the forefront of control system technology. An open architecture system designed to eliminate concerns about technological obsolescence and dependence on proprietary systems, Ovation operates on a high-speed, high-capacity network and uses commercially available desktop hardware to allow easy integration of a customer's existing IT products and components, while maintaining process security.

Currently Ovation® systems control power processes for energy generators like PacifiCorp, Duke Energy, Consumers Energy, Commonwealth Edison, FPL, WE Energies and Northern States Power. The Ovation system is also being used successfully for water and wastewater applications in the cities of Detroit, Los Angeles, Sacramento, Pittsburgh and San Diego.

Westinghouse Process Control also developed SmartProcess Optimization software which uses artificial intelligence to troubleshoot challenges and improve performance in generation processes at fossil-fired power plants. Engineers are currently expanding SmartProcess technology to address additional power plant control issues and are developing modules to improve efficiency in water and wastewater facilities.

Westinghouse Becomes A Key Player in Emerson Process Management
Emerson, with strong instrumentation and control businesses of its own, recognized Westinghouse Process Control's value and purchased it from CBS, Inc., in 1998.

In late 2000, Emerson made the Westinghouse Process Control business a core brand of Emerson Process Management, a newly created business unit incorporating the strengths of the company's instrumentation and control portfolio to offer customers in all industries comprehensive control solutions. In 2002, Westinghouse Process Control, a key contributor to Emerson's instrumentation and control success, adopted the name Emerson Process Management Power & Water Solutions in order to more closely identify itself with the broad offerings of Emerson.

With its revolutionary PlantWeb® architecture and its best-in-class offerings from Fisher®, Rosemount®, AMS and Power & Water Solutions, Emerson is the world's leading instrumentation and control provider, and recognizes that the key to customer satisfaction is the delivery of superior, cost-effective components and system solutions.