ABB To Acquire Kuhlman Electric Corp.

ABB, Zurich, Switzerland, will acquire U.S. transformer company Kuhman Electric Corp. for an undisclosed amount from global private equity firm The Carlyle Group to expand its power products portfolio in the Americas.

Kuhlman Electric manufactures a range of high-quality transformers for the industrial and electric utility sectors. Kuhlman Electric has demonstrated a track record of profitable growth with double-digit annual sales growth over the past five years. In 2007, the company had revenues of around $250 million. The business is positioned to benefit from the investments required to modernize and expand the U.S. utility infrastructure and to increase industrial efficiency and reliability.

Kuhlman Electric is headquartered in Versailles, Ky., and employs approximately 800 people.

ABB plans to integrate Kuhlman Electric’s operations into its Power Products business in North America.

The acquisition is subject to customary regulatory approvals. ABB expects the transaction to close in a few months.