APC 2007 Annual Report Download - page 23

21
Description of the Company and its businesses
1
Schneider Electric is also active in the fast-growing market
for customized automation devices and sensors, thanks to
acquisitions of such technological leaders as BEI.
Schneider Electric supplies programmable logic controllers
and automation platforms, as well as specialized configu-
ration, programming, operating assistance and supervision
software.
Its vast industrial control lineup ranges from contactors,
overload relays and motor circuit breakers to speed drives,
motion controllers, sensors, control units and operator ter-
minals.
Schneider Electric offers the most complete customized
sensor lineup in the market, with leadership positions in
angular speed sensors (number one worldwide in lead-
ing-edge quartz gyro technology), and in position and
pressure sensors for the automobile, aeronautic and man-
ufacturing industries.
Building Automation
and Security
Number 4 worldwide
In the past four years, Schneider Electric has created one
of the world’s leading players in this market.
The Group has put together a comprehensive, innovative
range of automation solutions backed by design and su-
pervision software to manage building utilities. The range
is based on open, integrated systems that address opera-
tors’ real needs. These solutions make it possible to opti-
mize installations, modernize them cost effectively, reduce
maintenance costs and energy consumption and enhance
comfort and security.
In October 2007, Schneider Electric enhanced the security
side of the business by acquiring Pelco Inc., a worldwide
leader in the design, development and manufacture of
video security systems.
Energy metering
and management
The 2005 acquisition of Power Measurement Inc. strength-
ened the Group’s position in the distribution of high-quality
electricity and in electricity management. The lineup com-
bines intelligent measurement and monitoring devices with
Internet-interface software to manage complex energy
contracts in real time, improve energy quality, and ensure
uninterrupted service.
Critical Power & Cooling Services
Number 1 worldwide
The critical power market is in the midst of strong and last-
ing growth driven by increased demand for high-quality, re-
liable electricity for a growing number applications and
industries.
The February 14, 2007 acquisition of American Power
Conversion (APC) has allowed Schneider Electric to ex-
pand even further in this market and become the world
leader. By combining APC with subsidiary MGE UPS Sys-
tems, a Group member since 2004, Schneider Electric has
put together an unparalleled portfolio of products and serv-
ices and gained unrivalled geographic exposure and sales
channels—plus the possibility of leveraging the two units’
powerful innovation capabilities.
Energy efficiency
Energy efficiency solutions combining different
components of the Group's lineup now represent
substantial business volume, accounting for 20% of
orders booked in 2007 (up 15%).
Thanks to its positioning, Schneider Electric has a
unique ability to meet growing demand for optimized
energy consumption resulting from higher energy
costs and fast-changing regulations.
In response to the need for reliable, safe and high
performance buildings and to help customers meet the
growing challenge of energy efficiency, Schneider
Electric is developing customized services to:
Optimize energy consumption for greater efficiency
(measuring consumption, identifying areas for poten-
tial savings, integrating automation devices to monitor
and regulate power).
Enhance electrical installation reliability and avail-
ability.
Manage costs and risks related to operation and
maintenance.
Energy efficiency:
a major challenge
By accelerating efficiency gains, global
energy demand in 2050 could be reduced to
nearly half the level of today’s consumption.
Source: IEA, June 2006
Services
Electrical distribution and automation systems have be-
come highly computerized and extremely complex, driving
strong demand for dedicated services. More and more,
equipment management and maintenance are being out-
sourced. In addition, users want expert advice when they
make investment decisions to enhance installation per-
formance, improve energy efficiency and reduce mainte-
nance expenses.
Schneider Electric offers a unique array of high value-
added services to support customers throughout their in-
stallations’ useful lives.