User:Konste/test

Created in 1922, SOCOMEC is an industrial group with a workforce of 2,200 people.

Industrial Group specializing in secure power supply, control and security of low voltage electrical energy, for the industrial and services sectors.

The organization is split into two separate manufacturing Divisions:
 * SOCOMEC SCP, protection and switching solutions: Low voltage switching components and protection systems (load-break switches, fuse-combination switches, changeover switches, fuse links, electronic control and protection, energy management systems, enclosures, cabinets, etc.)
 * SOCOMEC UPS, the secure and continuous power supply: Uninterruptible Power Supply Systems (UPS, static systems, load transfer modules, rectifier-chargers, harmonic compensators, 400 Hz frequency converters, etc.)

With a strong international presence, including bases in more than 70 countries, 18 of which are subsidiaries, the SOCOMEC group is a major player in the global low voltage power distribution market.

Built on two European centers of excellence (France and Italy), the Group benefits from competitive production sites (Tunisia) and those located in the major emerging markets (India and China). The Company's headquarter located in Benfeld (France) includes three production sites, the European distribution center, R&D, Marketing Direction and Pierre Siat test laboratory.

1922, beginning
Joseph Siat, engineer, founds the company in Benfeld under the name of the Société des Ateliers de Constructions Électromécaniques du Bas-Rhin (Lower Rhine Electro-Mechanical Manufacturing company). The company manufactures switches, fuse links, fuses, bells, rotisseries and sheet metal or lacquered cardboard bridging boxes. After death of Joseph Siat in 1945 his two sons take over the company, with Pierre in charge of production and Maurice in charge of sales and administration. The company starts to manufacture more specific equipment: changeover switches, transformers, rheostat-regulators and high breaking capacity fuse links. In 1953 the Société des Ateliers de Constructions Électromécaniques du Bas-Rhin changes its name to SOCOMEC but keeps its field of activity.

1968, first step outdoor
In 1968 SOCOMEC launches “Electronics” division and begins to market high power UPS in partnership with a Swiss manufacturer. The workforce now numbers 200. The company starts expanding outside France and sets up the first foreign subsidiary in Belgium.

1982, UPS factory
SOCOMEC starts producing UPS on its own and sets up a new factory in Huttenheim, specifically for UPS production. The Company is still run by the founder's descendants: Bernard Steyert, Benoît Siat and Jacques Siat (Joseph Siat's 3 grandsons). In 1989 Bernard Steyert becomes company Chairman and he keeps this position until the present days.

1992, growth and expansion
SOCOMEC continues expanding: Two subsidiaries in Germany and one in Spain are opened, as well as a sales office in Kuala Lumpur. During the following years SOCOMEC picks up steam establishing a reliable sales network. New subsidiaries are set up consequently: 1993 - the UK; 1995 - Italy; 1996 - subsidiary in Thailand and a sales office in China; 1997 - a second subsidiary in the UK.

1998, merging with SICON
Italian partner Sicon (low power UPS specialists) merges with the group. After seven years of partnership both companies decide to incorporate. The group's presence is further enhanced with the integration of subsidiaries in Slovenia and Singapore. The Kuala Lumpur Sicon's sales office closes and relocates to Bangkok. 1999 - SOCOMEC opens further subsidiaries in India and Argentina.

2002, Timelec plant
Michael Carter is appointed Group General Manager and work starts on the building of the Timelec plant in Tunisia. Creation of a new subsidiary in the Netherlands. 2004 - Creation of a sales subsidiary in India. 2005 - Opening of a sales office in Moscow and creation of a sales subsidiary in China.

2006
European logistics platform is opened in Alsace, France and work starts to build a new factory in Italy. A sales office is opened in Dubai and a joint venture is set up with Numeric in India.

Technology centers


Socomec's Pierre Siat test laboratory is the second largest electric power test facility in France. Accredited by the French accreditation body COFRAC. It is a member of the l'ASEFA (Certification body for low voltage equipment) and of the LOVAG and regularly works in partnership with the international certification bodies: KEMA, CEBEC, UL, CSA, ASTA, Lloyd's Register of Shipping, Bureau Véritas, BBJ-SEP, EZU, GOST-R, …