“Every time we acquired a company, we acquired a platform – Theimeg, Remtron, or Vectran,” said marketing manager Jim Robertson. “But none of the platforms talk to each other. You can’t use a Vectran control with a Cattron system, for example. Unity unifies all of the platforms under one umbrella.”

Cattron has made the system’s transmission frequency adjustable for different markets. It has also acquired many different technical approvals, including UL, CSA, CE and FCC. It has CAN-Bus, ethernet and RS-485 interfaces, and contains two internal buses for modular upgrades.

Earlier this year, the company launched the Excalibur range of remote controls in Europe – the first unity product to reach the market.

Now, the second is arriving in North America. The MKU pushbutton controller/transmitter, which has a sealed keyboard, dual stop circuit, five LEDs and removable key with pre-programmed system frequency, address and operating parameters.

Although the Unity range is initially targeted outside construction markets, the company plans to eventually sell the product to construction equipment. “We have to look at where we are, not where we want to go,” Robertson said.