ABB and BI extend partnership to include high-efficiency IE3 motors

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January 2021 News

Low-voltage IE3 motors from ABB Africa will now be distributed by leading supplier Bearings International (BI). This is an extension of the existing partnership between the two companies, with BI already a distributor of ABB Dodge gearboxes: BI has been a Mechanical Power Transmission (MPT) partner for ABB since 2011.

“BI is a channel partner under the ABB Value Provider Programme for distributors,” explains Michael Wächter, ABB Motion communications lead for southern Africa. “The comprehensive programme includes marketing support and training. The MPT partnership has evolved to encompass high-efficiency motors from ABB, with the potential for supplementary products in future. This means BI can supply Dodge gearboxes in conjunction with ABB motors.”

“As a distributor of globally recognised brands, BI has been supplying an IE1 electric motor for the last 15 years,” notes BI offer marketing manager, Victor Strobel. “We identified a need for high-efficiency IE2 and IE3 electric motors, which are often specified by the mining industry. ABB was a natural fit given that it already has a close working relationship with BI.”

ABB Motion national sales manager, Ryan Chetty (left) and BI business unit head, Ross Trevelyan, sign the agreement.

The advantages of the partnership with ABB include dealing with a local supplier versus direct imports, and the availability of quick technical backup and support. BI has extended its motor range in size, with a 400 V and 525 V offering, allowing it to be able to supply projects in the mining industry.

“ABB, in turn, will be able to leverage from BI’s extensive 42-branch network across South Africa, covering all the major mining and industrial areas where BI has a major footprint,” explains ABB divisional channel manager, Nevin Turner. “The availability of IE3 high-efficiency motors from ABB will be especially welcomed by these sectors, where cost-effectiveness and total cost of ownership are key in an increasingly difficult trading environment.”

Looking to the future, BI will train several electric motor champions to cover each of the main mining and industrial areas where it has a presence, to reassure customers that any technical support is readily available in addition to backup advice or expertise.

BI will hold stock of the ABB motors to meet the specific requirements of its branch network. First-level customer support will be provided by BI’s own sales team and product managers, while second-level support for technical issues will be provided by ABB itself.

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ABB and BI extend partnership to include high-efficiency IE3 motors

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