Around the Industry

June 18, 2010
Ferraz Shawmut now Mersen Ferraz Shawmut, Newburyport, Mass.-based manufacturer of fusegear and other circuit-protection devices, has changed its name

Ferraz Shawmut now Mersen

Ferraz Shawmut, Newburyport, Mass.-based manufacturer of fusegear and other circuit-protection devices, has changed its name to Mersen, in line with an overall change at its parent company Carbone Lorraine, Paris, France. Carbone Lorraine and all its subsidiaries will now be known as Mersen.

“We have not been purchased,” said Daniel Beaudron, vice president and general manager for Mersen USA Newburyport-MA, LLC, in a press release. “The name change reflects a corporate-wide strategic initiative to unify our vision, product solutions and markets. Over time, we found that our various subsidiaries were catering to the same markets with complementary product solutions. In a global marketplace, it just makes sense to operate under one name. It focuses us all on a common goal.”

The company's brands, such as Amp-Trap fuses, Surge-Trap surge protective devices, UltraSafe fuse modules, TPMOV technology and Tri-Onic class RK 5 fuses will remain the same.

Siemens and Coulomb partner on EV charging systems

Siemens Energy and Coulomb Technologies announced a joint marketing agreement for electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) technology, including electric vehicle charging infrastructure. The agreement will allow Siemens to offer utilities, electric retailers, municipalities, EV suppliers and other companies the ability to monitor, bill and clear financial transactions.

Munro Solar completes largest solar array in Massachusetts

Munro Distributing, Dartmouth, Mass., recently completed the largest single solar array in the state of Massachusetts. The company's Munro Solar division provided the project design and all of the solar components for a 201,600W DC system that will save the customer over $4,000 a month in energy costs. The installation now sits atop the bare corrugated roof of Dartmouth Building Supply's 54,000 square-foot millwork and warehouse building. Munro Solar supplied all the necessary components, including 960 Suntech panels, two Solectria inverters and the UniRac SolarMount racking system. Solar Installation Limited, Brockton, Mass., co-designed and installed the system and also obtained all the necessary permitting and state, federal and Massachusetts Technology Collaborative grants. The system is expected to pay for itself within five years.

IKEA to phase out incandescents

IKEA, the Swedish furniture retailer with U.S. operations based in Conshohocken, Pa., is getting rid of incandescent lighting in all its stores in the United States. Starting August 1, IKEA will begin to phase out its sales of incandescent light bulbs and expects to have them gone by January 1, 2011, well in advance of the federal ban that takes effect in 2012.

The company sells compact fluorescent lamps (CFL), which it says are its most popular bulbs, but also offers a range of LED and halogen lamps. Beginning in fall 2010, IKEA will offer a retrofit halogen bulb which can be used in a standard light socket.