Archive for September, 2009

GE and Fanuc to Dissolve Automation and Control Joint Venture

After 22 years of working together in the automation, robotics and embedded computing markets, General Electric and Fanuc Ltd. of Japan announced plans to dissolve their joint venture, GE Fanuc Automation Corp., Charlottesville, Va., by the end of the year.

“Everybody, in this economy, has taken a hard look at their businesses to see where they’re strong. We see this as an opportunity to focus on those, and for Fanuc to do the same,” said Ellie Holman, public relations manager for GE Enterprise Solutions.

Full story (EM subscription required)

Cooper’s reliance on the fortunes of the electrical industry wins analyst’s favor

Forbes reports on a Citi analyst upgrading Cooper Industries while downgrading Rockwell Automation. The distinction? Cooper’s fortunes are closely tied to the rise and fall of the industrial market, while Rockwell depends more on new capital spending and capacity expansion.

Forbes story

EYE Lighting International Names Tom Salpietra President and COO

Prior to joining EYE Lighting, Salpietra held senior executive positions with Cooper Industries and Acuity Brands Lighting…. Keith Ward had been president and COO at EYE Lighting before becoming president, CEO and a member of the board of directors at Luminus, Billerica, Mass., a manufacturer of LED products, in May.

Schaedler YESCO Enters Pittsburgh by Signing Letter of Intent to Purchase Service Electrical Supply Co.

During the past year the company has made three other acquisitions: the electrical division of H&S Supply of New Oxford, Pa.; B&R Electric Co. of St. Mary’s, Pa. both late last year and the Indiana, Pa., branch of Gertz Electric on Aug. 17. Schaedler YESCO is ranked #82 on EW’s current Top 200 listing, with $92.9 million in 2008 sales.

HD Supply Electrical unveils new Web site offering 1.4 million products

Watch this one very closely…. If your customers want to buy online, this would give them a huge opportunity to do so. Here’s more info on the deal: http://www.hdsupply.com/pressroom/downloads/HDSE%20Website%20PressRelease.pdf