Brady, a manufacturer of products for identifying components used in workplaces, agreed to acquire Code, which specializes in high-performance barcode readers and scanning software, for $173m. “The addition of Code’s high-quality complementary product offering to Brady’s already existing leadership position in niche application industrial printers and materials will accelerate Brady’s expansion in the industrial track-and-trace market. Once integrated, our complete service offering in these faster-growing end markets should accelerate Brady’s overall growth profile. We also intend to increase investments in research and development and increase Code’s addressable market through Brady’s global footprint throughout Europe, Asia and the Americas,” J. Michael Nauman, Brady’s President and Chief Executive Officer.