In the early 1970s, to meet the new sensor and automation needs of the manufacturing and packaging industry, PhD Romano Volta founded DATALOGIC in Bologna, and DIELL was born in nearby Modena on the initiative of Prof. Paolo Iori.
Two parallel and successful stories, like many others in Emilia Romagna which, thanks to these entrepreneurs, their ideas and work have become one of the Italian regions with the highest rate of industrialization, innovation, well-being and economic development.
DATALOGIC expands with commercial offices in Germany in 1974, in Japan in 1976, and in the US in 1978. DIELL specializes in photoelectric technology, introducing the first M18 sensor in 1977, which will become one of the most popular formats in the world.
At the beginning of the 80s DATALOGIC develops the new optical barcode reading technology, and begins to create important industrial applications in Europe with the exclusive laser scanners for which it immediately becomes the reference technology leader.
In 1984 DATALOGIC introduces the first application of a barcode reader in an airport, in Milan - Linate. DATALOGIC opens new research, production and sales offices, and at the end of the decade is present with factories, branches and distributors all over the world.
DIELL also (continued) to grow, during the 1980s it changed its name to M.D. Micro Detectors, and confirms itself as an important reality of high-tech research, development, and production, expanding its offer with inductive proximity sensors.
In the 90s, the strategy defined in "Il Punto di Volta" led DATALOGIC to be "an industrial reality with constant and lasting growth, important at an international level, for results, reputation and image" and to enter the portable terminal market.
In 1991 M.D. Micro Detectors establishes the Spanish branch, Diell Ibérica SA, introducing new capacitive and ultrasonic sensors, area sensors, as well as new photoelectric and inductive sensors on which it also specialized as a manufacturer of "custom" solutions.
With the advent of the new millennium DATALOGIC has now established itself as a world leader in automatic data acquisition, and in 2001 it is listed on the New Market of the Milan Stock Exchange, continuing its expansion also through various acquisitions.
From 2001 to 2009 DATALOGIC focused on the sensor market for industrial automation through the new company Datasensor, which introduces new application sensors, the first optoelectronic safety barriers, and innovative vision sensors.
In 2012, the Chinese company M.D. Micro Detectors (Tianjin) Co., Ltd., which extends manufacturing and logistics capabilities into the Asian region. The Spanish branch changes its name to Micro Detectors Ibérica SAU, continuing its growth on the local market.
2021 is the year in which DATALOGIC acquires M.D. Micro Detectors and with this operation strengthens its Italian and world presence in the industrial automation market, through the integration of the product portfolio of sensors, safety and machine vision.
Today, DATALOGIC has 12 R&D centers around the world, over 2,700 collaborators in 30 countries, automatic data acquisition solutions in more than a third of supermarkets and points of sale, and in a third of airports, transport companies and postal services.
To continue growing in sensors for industrial automation, Datasensing was born in 2021, with over a hundred years of experience, combining two realities that have both passed half a century of life and have made the history of sensors in our country:
M.D. Micro Detectors, with its wide range of sensors made with advanced product and production process technologies, and DATALOGIC - Machine Vision, Sensor & Safety business unit - with innovative products and a consolidated presence on a global level.
MILESTONES
1970
DATALOGIC is founded by Romano Volta in Bologna, Italy, and DIELL in nearby Modena on the initiative of Paolo Iori, to meet the new sensor needs of the manufacturing and packaging industries.
1975
DATALOGIC expands with new offices in Germany (1974), Japan (1976), US (1978).
DIELL specializes in photoelectric sensors, introducing the first cylindrical M18 (1977) one of the most popular type in the world.
1980
DATALOGIC develops the optical barcode reading technology and the first industrial laser scanner application in Europe, becoming in a short time the reference technology leader.
1985
DATALOGIC introduces the first barcode reader in an airport, Milan - Linate (1984) and continues its growth at a global level. DIELL changes its name to M.D. Micro Detectors introducing inductive sensors.
1990
The new strategy "Il Punto di Volta” leads DATALOGIC to be "an industrial reality with constant and lasting growth, important at an international level” and to enter the portable terminal market.
1995
M.D. Micro Detectors starts the Spanish branch, Diell Ibérica SA, also introducing capacitive sensors and area light arrays.
Datalogic starts a new production plant in Castiglion Messer Raimondo, Teramo, Italy.
2000
DATALOGIC is a world leader in automatic data acquisition, in 2001 is listed on the New Market of the Milan Stock Exchange and focuses on the sensor market through the new company DATASENSOR.
2005
DATASENSOR wins the "International Best Factory Award” 2005 and introduces many new application sensors, a complete safety light curtains range, and an innovative smart camera sensor.
2010
M.D. develops ultrasonic sensors and starts manufacturing in China. DATALOGIC makes new acquisitions (Evolution Robotics, PPT Vision, Accu-Sort) and DATASENSOR becomes the Sensor & Safety business unit.
2015
DATALOGIC increases its presence in Manufacturing, T&L, Retail, Healthcare. Valentina Volta is Datalogic Group’s C.E.O. and the founder Romano Volta President.
The first Safety Laser Scanner is launched.
2020
DATALOGIC acquires M.D. Micro Detectors (2021) and Pekat Vision (2022), creating the new Company DATASENSING to strengthen its presence in sensors, safety and machine vision markets.
