Power grab
Schneider Electric SA, a French-based company that is the #1 maker of circuit breakers in the world announced it would acquire American Power conversion (APC). The deal for the US company is for $6.1 billion.
APC with be combined with Schneider's MGE UPS business putting together the #1 and #2 uninterruptible power supplies (USP) industry. That growing industry is especially important in protecting critical computer servers and storage devices. As the Internet gets more important in transacting business, companies can no longer afford even short periods of downtime.
ALC has an over 28% share in the UPS business worldwide. Add its holdings to Schneider's will gave that company a market share of over 50% in the UPS market. Other competitors include US companies Trippe, SL Industries, Emerson Electric, and General Electric and Japan's Hitachi. According to one analyst quoted by the Wall Street Journal ("APC Deal Reflects Demand for Data Protection", 10/31/06.), "The French company is trying to quickly eliminate 'one of its key competitors' and break into the North American small-company critical-power market dominated by APC"
Schneider, founded in 1836, is also in a number of utility and electricity-related businesses, including equipment for distributing electricity, managing climate, security, and electric power in facilities, sensors for electrical systems, and cerates automation systems for water treatment. It bought MFE UPS in 2003.
Schneider is yet another serial acquirer. Among its buys in recent years:
2003
Acquired wiring manufacturer Gerard Industries (Australia)
Set up joint venture with Clipsal industries in Asian wiring manufacturer (took full control in 2006)
Acquired TAC, a leader in building climate and power automation systems (Sweden)
Acquired Hyde Park, a company making ultrasonic sensor (US)
2004
Acquired Andover Controls, a US building climate and power automation systems maker
Acquired Kavlico a US-based sensor manufacturer
Acquired Elau AG, a German company in the area of packaging technology
Acquired Abacus, a US-based company in facility management and design area
Acquired Magnecraft, a US company making electrical relays
Acquired Dinel, a French company in optoelectronic (optical electronics) senor industry
2005
Acquired Power Measurement Inc, a Canadian company in facility management and design area
Acquired ABS EMEA, a UK building automation company
Acquired Juno Lighting, a US-based maker of industrial and commercial lighting products
Acquired BEI Technologies, a US-sensor manufacturer
Acquires GET Group PLC< a UK provider of wiring devices
2006
Acquired IBS, a US-based building automation company
Acquired OVA, an Italian emergency lighting manufacturer
Acquired AEM S.A., a maker of electric distribution switchboards
Acquired Napac, a French company that makes systems for remote management of industrial processes
Acquires Merton GmbH, a maker of facility control systems
10:03:30 PM 
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