The recent deal between electrical contractor Integrated Electrical Services (IESC), Houston and Siemens perked my interest not only because it involved an electrical contractor selling a business unit to a manufacturer, but because the prefabrication work done by IESC and other electrical contractors has always intrigued me. Apparently, the Tesla Power & Automation business IESC sold to Siemens does prefab work on a grand scale.
In prefab work, electrical contractors build "assemblies" of systems of electrical products in their shops to later be installed on job-sites. Preassembling things like lighting fixtures with wiring ”whips" or other other groups of products for rough-in work saves installation time on job-sites and allows them to monitor the quality of the assemblies being built.
According to the Siemens press release, eHouses, also known as Power Equipment Centers or Power Distribution Centers, are "metal fabricated buildings that typically house medium- and low -voltage electrical switchgear with transformers, battery systems, etc. Upon completion, the eHouses are transported to the customer site." Sounds like a much bigger deal than wiring whips to lighting fixtures.”
In that release, Douglas Proudfoot, Siemens Energy Business Segment Manager for MV Package Power Solutions, said, "Using eHouses makes for a simple and quick installation when compared with permanent brick-type buildings. All the electrical equipment is installed in the eHouse at the factory and fully tested prior to shipment. At the site, the eHouse is lifted from the truck, placed on the foundation and the electrical connections are made."
The newly acquired business is located in Houston, Texas, where Siemens Energy also has a significant presence in the Houston area with more than 1,500 Houston-based employees. The facility will remain open and will become part of the Siemens Energy Power Distribution Division.