The Robert A. Amey Co., Portland, Ore., will represent Klein Tools in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington effective February 1, 2010. The company will promote Klein products through authorized wholesale electrical distributors to electrical end users throughout their sales geography.
Archive for January, 2010
Thomas & Betts to acquire JT Packard & Associates
Thomas & Betts Corp. (T&B), Memphis, agreed to acquire the net assets of power equipment service provider JT Packard & Associates, Madison, Wis., for an estimated net purchase price of $22 million. The transaction is expected to close next week.
JT Packard posted sales in 2009 of approximately $60 million. The company’s core business is preventative maintenance and emergency service for uninterruptible power supplies, power distribution units, DC plant and static switches used to ensure a consistent and high-quality flow of power to data centers in a wide variety of industrial and commercial market segments.
Schneider, Alstom finalize deal to buy Areva T&D
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 to electrify and automate three new biochemical production plants
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.
Clarification: GE Reorganization
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.”
Harvey to lead Graybar in New York
Graybar has named Rick Harvey as its district vice president for New York regional operations effective Feb. 1. Harvey succeeds Chris Olsen, who will retire after six years in the position and more than 35 years with Graybar.
Graybar’s New York district is one of 13 operating districts for the company, servicing eastern New York, New Jersey, eastern Pennsylvania and Delaware. Before being named district vice president, Harvey served as director of comm/data sales for Graybar’s Chicago district, and has been with the company for 26 years.
“Graybar appreciates the many contributions Chris Olsen has made throughout his career, and we wish him all the best in retirement,” said Dennis DeSousa, Graybar’s senior vice president of U.S. business. “We are pleased to have Rick Harvey as our New York district vice president and are confident that he will drive continued success for Graybar in this region.”
Akers of D&S Electrical Supply to Serve as NAED Western President in 2011-2012
National Association of Electrical Distributors (St. Louis): Andrew Akers, vice president of D & S Electrical Supply Company, Pocatello, Idaho, is NAED’s incoming Western Region vice president-elect and will serve his term in 2011-2012. Bill Squires, vice president of SMC Electric Supply in Springfield, Mo., currently holds the post. Beginning in May, Rocklan Lawrence, president and CEO of National Electric Supply Inc., in Albuquerque, N.M., will take up the regional leadership for 2010-2011.
Energy Focus Nails $2.1 Million in Lighting Retrofits through Stones River Contracting Subsidiary
Energy Focus, Inc., Solon, Ohio, says its turnkey lighting retrofit division, Stones River Companies LLC, was recently awarded two lighting energy services contracts totaling $2.1 million. These contracts are with two premier public sector energy services companies (ESCOs) to upgrade the lighting in 60 buildings for a Tennessee municipality as well as for relighting several buildings on a Kentucky U.S. Army base. Details
EMCOR Donates to Haitian Relief Efforts
EMCOR Group Inc., Norwalk, Conn., will donate up to $50,000 to assist the victims of the recent devastating earthquake in Haiti. Under EMCOR’s Touching Lives Program, an immediate donation of $25,000 will be made to the American Red Cross. Up to an additional $25,000 will be donated as part of a double match program, whereby EMCOR will double match employee contributions made to the American Red Cross.
Border States Electric Awarded Xcel Energy Integrated Supply Contract
Border States Electric (BSE), Fargo, N.D., has been awarded an integrated supply contract to support Xcel Energy’s material requirements in transmission, substations, and gas and electric distribution. Border States will service this contract from several of its existing branch locations and establish new branch locations in Colorado, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. Xcel Energy, Minneapolis, is a major U.S. electricity and natural gas company, with operations in eight Western and Midwestern states that provides a comprehensive portfolio of energy-related products and services to 3.4 million electricity customers and 1.9 million natural gas customers through its regulated operating companies.