Robicon UK becomes Siemens` global hub for marine work(ROBICON PERFECT HARMONY DRIVE)

Robicon UK becomes Siemens` global hub for marine work(ROBICON PERFECT HARMONY DRIVE)

01 AUGUST, 2005

Following Siemens` acquisition of the Robicon Corporation, Robicon`s UK operation, based in High Wycombe, will become a Siemens` global centre of excellence for marine drive applications. The acquisition coincides with Siemens expanding its operations in the marine sector - an area where Robicon is already well established.

The High Wycombe base, which employs about 50 people, will also continue to supply the Perfect Harmony range of high-power-quality medium-voltage drives to Europe and the Near East. The business - originally Hill Graham Controls - will be headed by Kim White, who has been with the Robicon organisation for 20 years.

Bob Owen, general manager of Siemens` large drives business in the UK, describes Robicon as a "perfect fit" for Siemens` existing operations. "Our businesses are complementary to each other and this development is significant on many levels," he says. "The Robicon Perfect Harmony product, well established in the new build industrial and marine markets, is also eminently suited to retrofits and refurbishments - so, by bringing our products under one roof, we are instantly able to improve our offering to customers and enhance our competitive strengths."

Siemens reckons that the Robicon acquisition will make it the global market-leader in the MV drives market. Siemens will continue to run Robicon from its Pennsylvania headquarters, and plans to leave the existing employee organisation and business relationships - including the global rep-based sales channel and suppliers - intact. Product development will also stay in the US.

Siemens says that Robicon`s UK activities - design, assembly, project management and technical support - complement those of Siemens` existing large drives operations. "Our companies` combined product portfolio presents an incredibly strong offering to customers, which is very much part of our aggressive growth strategy for this part of our business," says Owen.

Robicon`s Perfect Harmony range of MV drives spans ratings from 500kW-20MW and is designed to solve power quality problems and to deliver clean power with a near-sinusoidal output and a high power factor. It can be used with induction, synchronous or wound-rotor motors.