ABB acquires capacitors business

ABB has agreed to acquire Westingcorp (Pty) in South Africa, for an undisclosed sum, to expand its portfolio of power capacitors.

Westingcorp, based in Centurion, Gauteng province, manufactures power capacitors for local and international markets and employs about 50 people.

The portfolio will strengthen ABB's power capacitors business and provide a local base from which to serve customers in the electric utility, mining and industrial sectors across South Africa. The acquisition is subject to the customary regulatory approvals.

"This acquisition supports our global footprint strategy and helps us to serve our customers in the region more efficiently," said Bernhard Jucker, head of ABB's Power Products division. "It is in line with our business philosophy of being close to markets, and Westingcorp's well-established products and service presence will facilitate our continued growth."

Westingcorp's portfolio includes high-voltage direct current (DC) power capacitors as well as AC (alternating current) and DC surge capacitors. Applications include shunt and series capacitor banks, harmonic filters, motor unit capacitors, bulk power factor correction schemes, distribution voltage improvement schemes, furnace capacitors and SVC (static var compensators).