Business briefs

ABB wins $48 million India power contract

Zurich-based ABB, the power and automation technology manufacturer, recently won a $48 million order to design, build, and install a new power transmission system in India. The order, signed with Power Grid Corp. of India Ltd., is for a 500 MW high-voltage d-c system that will connect two regional grids feeding power to millions of consumers. The Vizag II HVDC project will be installed at Gazuwaka, at Vishakhapatnam, on India's southeastern coast. Located beside an existing HVDC station, it will increase the capacity for high-voltage power exchange between the eastern and southern power grids by 500 MW. The system will also provide voltage and frequency support for both grids during power disturbances. Completion of the project and commencement of commercial operation are scheduled for the beginning of 2005.

AVO International changes name to Megger

Dallas-based AVO International, manufacturer of test and measuring products, has changed its name and the branding of all its products to Megger. All electrical test and measuring instruments known by the names Multi-Amp, Biddle, Metrosonics, and AVO are to be branded Megger once tooling changes have been made. The organization has owned the Megger brand name and manufactured its products since 1991. The change in name follows market research that revealed that, in all of the company's geographic and product markets, the Megger name is more widely recognized than AVO. Two divisions of Megger-the AVO Training Institute and STATES Terminal Blocks & Test Switches -will continue operating under their existing names.

Arizona GE affiliate becomes GE Presco

GE Supply of Shelton, Conn., the electrical products distribution business of the General Electric Co., is restructuring its Arizona operations and plans to rename it GE Presco. Under the arrangement, GE Presco, a dedicated distribution business serving electrical contractors across Arizona, will serve, from headquarters in Gilbert, Ariz., contractors exclusively. GE Supply is an international distributor of electrical products, aerospace parts, power generation products, voice and datacom equipment and supplies from GE and other manufacturers. It serves electrical contractors, industrial and commercial users, engineer constructors, OEM's, utilities, and the aerospace industry.

United Electric Controls forms a new sensor division

United Electric Controls, Watertown, Mass., has formed a new company division called Applied Sensor Technologies to manufacture its line of thermocouples, RTD's, thermistors, and other temperature sensors. The division designs temperature sensors for both OEM and end-user applications, from lab and medical equipment to gas turbines and power generation and process plants. Manufacturing will continue at the Watertown facility. United Electric Controls' customers include major energy and chemical producers such as hydrocarbon production facilities and processing plants, offshore platforms, energy and power generation plants, pharmaceutical, food and beverage processors, and water treatment facilities and OEM's.

Nomex to Von Roll Isola

Von Roll Isola, of Schenectady, N.Y., maker of wire and insulation, has been named manufacturer and sales agent of the entire product line of DuPont Nomex.

Distributor briefs

EFC International, St. Louis-based master distributor of specialty metal, plastic, electrical, and assembled component parts, has assumed the role of master distributor for Oetiker, Inc., Marlette, Mich., manufacturer of clamps and rings as well as quick-action, or "swing," couplings.

Certification briefs

Cantronic Systems, Inc., Coquitlam, B.C., maker of infrared imaging instruments, has been certified to ISO 9001, the international quality standard that confirms consistency of procedures in design and manufacturing.

Peer China, the operations southwest of Shanghai of Peer Bearing Co., Waukegan, Ill., has earned QS-9000 certification ahead of schedule. Production lines at the plant are devoted to the manufacture of small and medium-bore tapered roller bearings. The QS-9000 certification is a quality standard established by the U.S. automotive industry.

Stocker Hinge Manufacturing Co., Brookfield, Ill., maker of hinges for industries including automotive, rescue and emergency vehicles, appliance, electrical, telecommunications, and transportation, has been certified to QS-9000.

Edited by Kevin Jones

Copyright Barks Publications Nov 2002
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