Comtest has acquired the entire share capital of Instrotech and Digital Process Measurement (DPM), from the owner, Dave Howcroft. DPM designs, manufactures and supplies process control products to resellers throughout South Africa. Instrotech distributes the DPM product range as well as process control instrumentation, load cells, sensors and accessories from 14 European and American manufacturers.
Peter Verwer, managing director of Comtest, says he is very happy that the entire staff complement of both companies has agreed to stay on with the new owners, and that Dave Howcroft will remain as a non-executive director until 31 December 2011. Robert Howcroft has been appointed as a director to the board which will be headed by Paul Mason, the new managing director. John Wilson, a non-executive director of Comtest, has been appointed as director who will oversee the manufacturing processes of DPM.
The markets addressed by Instrotech are similar to those addressed by Comtest. Both companies address these markets via a network of resellers, which Comtest says will lead to synergistic opportunities in sub-Saharan Africa where there is already an established network of dealerships.
As a result of the acquisition, Comtest has decided to exit the telecoms test arena to concentrate on developing the core businesses of Comtest, Instrotech and DPM. As a result, it has ended its relationship and contracts with all the principals it represents in this market, including JDSU. Comtest and JDSU are working closely together to ensure that all customers in South Africa are supported with products, service and training. Gary Casper, previously the technical support manager for the JDSU division, has agreed to stay on at Comtest. In his new capacity as technical support and training manager for the test and measurement instruments division, he will also be available to service all the JDSU contracts currently in place with Comtest.
“We are looking forward to meeting the challenges and growing our new extended business in the years to come,” says Verwer.
Reinstatement opportunity for ECSA registration
News
In 2023 the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) announced a special opportunity for engineers in South Africa to reinstate their registration status if it had been cancelled. This exclusive offer is available until the end of August 2024.
Read more...Schneider Electric launches first Innovation Hub in Africa Schneider Electric South Africa
News
Schneider Electric has officially launched its first Innovation Hub in Africa. This provides an interactive environment where visitors can explore the company’s integrated solutions across key segments and businesses such as energy, buildings, data centres, industrial, and power and grid.
Read more...A strategic milestone for Conical Technologies Conical Technologies
News
Conical Technologies has been appointed as the sole distributor in southern Africa for Mibbo, manufacturers of a vast array of products for the automation industry.
Read more...Robotics TechTalk at UKZN
News
The Scientific Multidisciplinary Advanced Research Technology Lab at the University of KwaZulu-Natal recently held an exciting TechTalk. It was an opportunity to introduce students to the IEEE Robotics and Automation chapter, SAIMC, and the Robotics Association of South Africa.
Read more...Schneider Electric honoured with Gender Leader Award Schneider Electric South Africa
News
Schneider Electric has been awarded the Gender Leader Award at this year’s Africa CEO Forum. This award acknowledges those organisations operating in Africa that have shown a significant and continuous commitment to gender diversity and inclusion.
Read more...Africa Automation Technology Fair 2025 closes on a high note
News
The Africa Automation Technology Fair 2025 officially wrapped up after three dynamic days at Gallagher Convention Centre, cementing its status as Africa’s leading platform for industrial automation, AI and IoT.
Read more...A new generation of solar professionals
News
A new generation of solar professionals is rising in Cape Town. The second cohort of the Solar Youth Project has just completed an intensive eight-week training course and is ready to take on the next stage, 10 months of work experience.