Electrical Marketing's LiveWire

Schneider Electric and Alstom, both Paris-based electrical manufacturers, signed an agreement for the purchase of the transmission and distribution assets of nuclear conglomerate Areva. This follows from exclusive negotiations begun Nov. 30, 2009. Under terms announced then, Schneider Electric will handle the distribution end of the business and Alsthom will handle transmission.

The deal is still subject to approvals from regulators in France.

Siemens Industry, Atlanta, won a contract to supply electrification, process automation and instrument measurement technologies for three new biochemical production plants for Novus Energy of Minneapolis.

The plants are now in the design phase and construction will begin on the first of the plants this year in Canada. The other two, in Oregon and Colombia, will begin construction in late 2010. Novus Energy produces biofuels and biochemicals such as organic fertilizers from various high-cellulose feedstocks.

Dave Griffith, distribution channel manager for GE Industrial Solutions pointed out some confusion in our Jan. 4 blog posting and the subsequent article in Electrical Marketing about the reorganization of GE’s Consumer & Industrial unit.

Says Griffith by e-mail:
“Several customers and employees confused by your story last week …and have been contacting me.

“I wanted to clarify that “GE Industrial Solutions” will be headquartered in Plainville, CT…..not Atlanta, GA. Atlanta is the headquarters of GE Energy.

“Our business will report to Atlanta but the headquarters for GE Industrial Solutions will continue to be in Plainville.”