Schneider Electric, a global specialist in energy management, today announced that it has entered into a distributor agreement with Kaman Industrial Technologies (KIT), a subsidiary of Kaman Corporation (NYSE: KAMN).  Effective immediately, KIT, a leading power transmission distributor in the United States, will become a distributor for Schneider Electric’s line of industrial automation and control products as well as select power control and protection products commonly used in motor control applications.

“We are pleased to be working with Kaman, one of the most highly-ranked power transmission distributors in the country,” said Mary Ramsey, senior vice president, Schneider Electric Industry Business. “This agreement provides our mutual customers with a new level of expertise and an ability to deliver technical solutions for both end users and OEMs. It also allows Schneider Electric to enter new channels to market with a partner that boasts a large footprint.”

This is Schneider Electric’s first major move to reach the power transmission/motion control market, estimated at $107B in the United States and a natural extension for the company’s core competencies in automation and control driven by energy management goals. According to a 2008 study by River Heights Consulting, Power Transmission Distributor Association members sell over $800M in automation and motion control products annually.

“Kaman provides a different entry point to our potential customers,” added Jeff Jervah, director of channel development for Schneider Electric’s Industry Business. “We look forward to working together to provide the power transmission market a comprehensive line of drives, controls, automation and sensors products from one supplier – an offer that is currently absent from the market.”

As part of the agreement, Schneider Electric will become KIT’s primary line of AC drives, sensors, low voltage controls and automation, encompassing more than 75 percent of its sales in these areas. The deal also authorizes the sale of Schneider Electric programmable logic controllers (PLCs), human machine Interfaces (HMIs) and signaling equipment. KIT will begin stocking these products at its 200 branch locations throughout the United States in Q1 2013.

Schneider Electric’s products align with the existing focus of power transmission/motion control distributors, a group accustomed to technical solution sales of applied products that require a high degree of expertise. To further ensure the best solutions are delivered to mutual customers, Schneider Electric will also provide drives specialists to support a mutually agreed upon number of KIT branches. Each specialist is certified and will offer support and technical knowledge.

Steve Smidler, president of KIT stated, “We are pleased to expand our strategic relationship with Schneider Electric nationally and to be able to offer their world class products to our more than 50,000 customers.  We have built a strong network to offer Electrical and Automation Control, MRO-Bearing and Power Transmission, and Fluid Power products to a broad cross section of North American industry.”

KIT was previously authorized to offer Schneider Electric products through five locations, acquired earlier this year via the acquisition of certain assets of Zeller Corporation.

About Schneider Electric

As a global specialist in energy management with operations in more than 100 countries, Schneider Electric offers integrated solutions across multiple market segments, including leadership positions in Utilities & Infrastructures, Industries & Machine Manufacturers, Non-residential Buildings, Data Centers & Networks and Residential. Focused on making energy safe, reliable, efficient, productive and green, the company’s 130,000 plus employees achieved sales of about $31 billion (22.4 billion euros) in 2011, through an active commitment to help individuals and organizations make the most of their energy.

www.schneider‑electric.com/us