Local electrical engineering group Actom and Schneider Electric recently finalised a partnership agreement formalising and extending their existing co-operative arrangement to cater to the requirements of the local market for state of the art medium voltage distribution, automation and protection equipment.
This is the first formal partnership agreement between the two companies since the international nuclear power specialist, Areva, sold its global transmission and distribution business interests in 2010. Alstom Grid took over the transmission business and Schneider Electric acquired the distribution operations. Since Schneider Electric succeeded Areva as Actom’s international technology partner and principal for medium voltage business, both companies have complied with the terms of the partnership agreement previously in place between Areva and the local group.
“The new agreement is the same as its predecessor in most respects, but it has been extended in terms of scope and flexibility,” says Mark Wilson, Actom CEO and chairman.
Actom’s Jack Rowan (l) and Carl Kleynhans sign the partnership agreement. Behind them are Frederic Abbal, Mark Wilson and Andries Tshabalala.
“In essence the range of products on offer has been significantly extended, particularly with respect to the upper end of the power utility market. In addition, Actom’s increasing capabilities to customise these products enhance its flexibility to cater more effectively to customers requirements, which include provisions for higher local content than has applied previously.”
Power utilities, municipalities, the mining industry and the petrochemical sector are the main and potential users of the range of advanced medium voltage distribution equipment on offer. These include loose circuit breakers, gas-insulated ring main units and extensible switchgear, air and gas-insulated primary distribution systems switchgear, air-insulated fixed pattern switchgear, substation automation systems and protective relays.
The announcement of the new partnership agreement coincides with a visit to South Africa by Schneider Electric executive Frederic Abbal, executive vice president medium voltage, who together with Carl Kleynhans, country president Southern Africa, and members of Actom’s management team held meetings with a number of local customers.
Endorsing Wilson’s comments, Kleynhans concluded: “Schneider Electric’s medium voltage division, represented locally by Schneider Electric South Africa, enjoys an excellent relationship with Actom’s MV switchgear, protection and control business. With the new partnership agreement in place, we are better positioned than ever to satisfy the local markets requirements in the future.”
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