Power and control specialist acquires industrial and automation leaders
December 2000
News
Schneider Electric has taken a new step in its strategy to expand in the industry by acquiring Crouzet Automatismes and Positec. This move will broaden Schneider Electric's offering for OEMs and strengthen its position with industrial customers. Crouzet Automatismes is a leader in electronic control and small automation devices, while Positec is a European leader in motion control.
As part of Schneider Electric's growth strategy, these two acquisitions will enhance the company's core line-up. The goal is to offer more solutions to the same customers while concentrating on the same type of technology.
According to ARC Advisory Group (Dedham, Massachussetts) Senior Analyst Craig Resnick, the impact of these acquisitions will be felt in the short term primarily in Europe, where 80% of all of Crouzet's sales currently take place and about 80% of all Positec's sales come from Germany, Italy and Switzerland. Additionally, Resnick says Schneider was attracted to Positec because its served market - Germany, Italy and Switzerland - is one of the fastest growing in discrete manufacturing, according to ARC projections.
Crouzet Automatismes serves the OEM market through four core businesses: electronic controls, micro switches, micro motors and pneumatic logic modules.
Crouzet's sales for 2000 are expected to reach EUR 180 million, of which 30% from France, 50% from the rest of Europe and 16% from the United States. The company has 1860 employees at seven production and development sites located in France, the US, Spain, Morocco and Mexico.
Positec primarily makes products to control the position and speed of the axes that determine a machine's kinematic performance. Its main customer base is OEMs. The motion control market covered by Positec is worth an estimated EUR 4 billion and is growing by 7,5% a year. The company has 800 employees and anticipates sales for 2000 of EUR 110 million (46% from Germany, 19% from Italy and 15% from Switzerland).
These acquisitions fit in with Schneider Electric's growth strategy, following the successful reorganisation of its automation business and expansion in speed drives with Toshiba. The new businesses should benefit from sustained growth, thanks to their synergy with the rest of Schneider Electric. Together they will slightly reduce earnings per share by 0,6% in 2001 and increase earnings per share by 0,3% in 2002. Schneider Electric in southern Africa has offices in South Africa, Kenya, Reunion, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Further reading:
BMG achieves GBCSA Net Zero Waste Level 2 Certification
Bearing Man Group t/a BMG
News
BMG has achieved Green Building Council South Africa Net Zero Waste Level 2 Certification after diverting more than 90% of operational waste from landfill, demonstrating how practical sustainability measures can deliver measurable environmental and commercial benefits.
Read more...
Pump spares and parts for Africa
News
KSB Pumps and Valves explains how its decentralised stockholding and local manufacturing keep spares and parts available across its installed base in Africa.
Read more...
Inspiration for times of change
Endress+Hauser South Africa
News
More than 2000 customers, partners and experts gathered in Basel, Switzerland, for the Endress+Hauser Global Forum in April 2026. Under the theme of driving sustainable transformation together, the event combined keynote sessions on strategy, technology and the future of work with practical case studies from across the process industry.
Read more...
Local energy solutions rewiring resilience across Africa
News Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
Engineers across Africa are developing practical, scalable energy and mobility solutions supported by the Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation.
Read more...
The gender gap in SA’s engineering sector
News
South Africa’s engineering sector is facing a critical gender imbalance, with women making up just 16% of registered engineering professionals compared to 84% of men.
Read more...
Safe removal of the historic US 181
News
Mammoet provided the heavy-lift expertise that helped remove the 2300 ton centre span of the historic US 181 Harbor Bridge in Corpus Christi, Texas, using a precision lift-and-lower method that protected nearby marine environments and reopened navigation channels swiftly.
Read more...
Going Green initiative sees African Group Lubricants adopt electric forklift fleet
News
African Group Lubricants is transitioning most of its forklift fleet to electric power, a move expected to cut diesel consumption by around 85% and improve conditions across its manufacturing facility while delivering a positive return on investment in the near term.
Read more...
Africa Energy Indaba 2027 aims to ignite the power revolution
News
Africa Energy Indaba 2027 takes place from 2 to 4 March 2027 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, bringing together ministers, utilities, investors and developers to accelerate energy generation, unlock investment and drive the continent’s industrial future.
Read more...
Major bearing tender for SKF
SKF South Africa
News
SKF has secured a major bearing supply tender from an Algerian steelmaker, reinforcing its position in the metals segment across North Africa.
Read more...
Mining’s decarbonisation journey requires putting ESG commitments into action
Schneider Electric South Africa
News
Schneider Electric specialists explain how mining and heavy industry can turn environmental, social and governance commitments into measurable decarbonisation results.
Read more...
printer friendly version