Jun 24 2009
ABB, the leading power and automation technology group, has agreed to acquire Westingcorp (Pty) Ltd. in South Africa, for an undisclosed sum, to expand its portfolio of power capacitors. Capacitors are smart devices that help improve quality of power and boost energy efficiency.
Westingcorp, based in Centurion, Gauteng province, manufactures high-quality power capacitors for local and international markets and employs about 30 people.
The portfolio will strengthen ABB’s power capacitors business and provide a local base from which to serve customers in the electric utility, mining and industrial sectors across South Africa. The acquisition is subject to the customary regulatory approvals.
“This acquisition supports our global footprint strategy and helps us to serve our customers in the region more efficiently,” said Bernhard Jucker, head of ABB’s Power Products division. “It is in line with our business philosophy of being close to markets, and Westingcorp’s well-established products and service presence will facilitate our continued growth.”
Westingcorp’s portfolio includes high-voltage direct current (DC) power capacitors as well as AC (alternating current) and DC surge capacitors. Applications include shunt and series capacitor banks, harmonic filters, motor unit capacitors, bulk power factor correction schemes, distribution voltage improvement schemes, furnace capacitors and SVC (static VAR compensators).
ABB is a leader in power and automation technologies that enable utility and industry customers to improve their performance while lowering environmental impact. The ABB group of companies operates in around 100 countries and employs around 120,000 people.