Mitsubishi Electric Automation to Expand Robot Distribution

Business Wire, Nov 14, 2006

VERNON HILLS, Ill. -- Mitsubishi Electric Automation Inc., a recognized leader in automation solutions, has announced the expansion of its distribution channel for robotics products. Mitsubishi Electric Automation's line of robots, targeted to small-to-medium payload applications in all types of environments, offers vertically articulated robots that can handle up to 12kg, and SCARA robots that can handle up to 18 kg, in addition to many specialty robots.

Mitsubishi Electric Automation has maintained a longstanding relationship with Rixan Associates of Dayton, Ohio, to sell and support all Mitsubishi Electric robots in North America. As of October 1, 2006, Mitsubishi Electric Automation has expanded its robot sales via several channel partners within their extensive network of automation distributors. Meanwhile, Rixan will continue to sell the Mitsubishi Electric robot line, as well as provide engineering and service support to the additional channel partners under the new arrangement.

"We're excited about this expansion," said Stephen Harris, president of Rixan Associates, Inc. "Mitsubishi Electric Automation has a number of highly successful automation distributors located across North and South America. By tapping into their expertise and local knowledge, we will discover a variety of new opportunities."

"Rixan has done a good job of selling and supporting Mitsubishi Electric robot sales in North America," said Matt Lorig, Mitsubishi Electric Automation's strategic accounts manager for robotics. "We will now apply that expertise through an expanded channel of distributors. Our goal is to greatly expand sales while continuing to provide a high level of expertise and customer satisfaction."

Mitsubishi Electric Automation is recognized as a global supplier of automation products. In addition to robots, Mitsubishi Electric Automation offers a comprehensive line of PLCs, VFDs, HMIs, servos, motion controllers, and CNCs. The expanded distribution of the robot line will allow Mitsubishi Electric Automation to offer a complete automation solution to a wider range of users and OEMs in North and South America.

About Rixan Associates

Rixan Associates, Inc. is a broad-based supplier of Mitsubishi[R] robots, robot peripherals, software, engineering, training, and turnkey engineered systems. For more information, please visit www.rixan.com.

About Mitsubishi Electric Automation, Inc.

Mitsubishi Electric Automation, Inc., in Vernon Hills, IL, offers a comprehensive line of automation solutions suitable for a wide variety of applications. Products include automation platforms, programmable logic controllers (PLC), human machine interfaces (HMI), AC variable frequency drives (VFD), servo amplifiers and motors, motion controllers, industrial computers, control software, computerized numerical control systems (CNCs), robots and industrial sewing machines. For a broad range of automation solutions, visit the Mitsubishi Electric Automation web site at www.meau.com.