News for Panel Builders

Graybar Names Steven Bourbeau District Vice President in Chicago

Graybar Names Steven Bourbeau District Vice President in Chicago

Graybar has recently named Steven Bourbeau as District Vice President for the company’s Chicago District, effective June 1, 2024. A 29-year Graybar veteran, Bourbeau joined the company in 1995. He currently serves as Director of Finance in Chicago, a position he has held since 2005. As District Vice President, he will lead Graybar’s business operations in a territory that includes portions of Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, and Wisconsin.

Southwire Recognized as a US Best Managed Company for the Fifth Year in a Row

Southwire Recognized as a US Best Managed Company for the Fifth Year in a Row

Southwire is proud to announce it has been selected as a 2024 US Best Managed Company for the fifth year in a row. The company has also been recognized as a Gold Standard Winner, which honors organizations that have been recognized for four or more years. Now in its fifth year, the award, sponsored by Deloitte* Private and The Wall Street Journal, recognizes the achievements of U.S. private companies and the successes of their management teams.

Omron Announces PLC Paramedics as its First Automation System Support System Integrator

Omron Announces PLC Paramedics as its First Automation System Support System Integrator

Omron Automation Americas is pleased to announce its collaboration with PLC Paramedics as the first Automation System Support System Integrator under the Authorized System Integrators program. This partnership solidifies PLC Paramedics’ position as a trusted provider of field support and assistance for Omron automation systems, offering migration and upgrades, as well as troubleshooting services. As an Omron Automation System Support System Integrator, PLC Paramedics brings a wealth of expertise and experience to the table. Its team of highly skilled control engineers and technicians are qualified to handle Omron automation systems, ensuring that customers receive the highest level of service and support.

SCHURTER: Power Dissipation in Power Entry Modules
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SCHURTER: Power Dissipation in Power Entry Modules

If different electrical components are combined in an appliance inlet to form a power entry module, the individual power losses and temperature deratings of all components involved must be carefully taken into account in order to ensure long-term safe operation. Power entry modules (PEMs) consist of a combination of different components for the safe power supply of devices. In addition to the IEC appliance inlet connector, mains switches, fuseholders or circuit breakers and filters can be integrated.

ebm‑papst Inc. Expands Farmington, Connecticut Manufacturing and Engineering Facility

ebm‑papst Inc. Expands Farmington, Connecticut Manufacturing and Engineering Facility

ebm‑papst Inc. has announced a significant expansion at its manufacturing and engineering facility in Farmington, Connecticut, showcasing the company’s dedication to bolstering local production capabilities and fostering workforce growth. Set to kick off this summer, the approximately $3 million project entails a substantial 14,500-square-foot extension to the existing facility. Central to this expansion is the revitalization of the Tooling Center—the division responsible for crafting equipment used in manufacturing at both locations in Connecticut and Tennessee.

Graybar Named a Winner of the 2024 Top Workplaces Culture Excellence Awards

Graybar Named a Winner of the 2024 Top Workplaces Culture Excellence Awards

Graybar has recently been named a 2024 Top Workplaces Culture Excellence award winner by Energage in the following areas: Innovation, Work-Life Flexibility, Compensation & Benefits, Leadership, and Purpose & Values. This marks the fourth year Graybar has been recognized with Culture Excellence awards, which are based on Energage’s confidential, research-backed, employee engagement survey. Participating companies are evaluated against the industry’s most robust benchmarks.

Rittal US Service Team Celebrates Double Recognition at 2024 Global Service Conference

Rittal US Service Team Celebrates Double Recognition at 2024 Global Service Conference

The Rittal US Service team has recently marked a significant milestone at the 2024 Global Service Conference held in Herborn, Germany. Demonstrating unparalleled excellence and dedication, the team garnered esteemed accolades, which underscore their vital role within the industry. The team was awarded the prestigious Star Award for Outstanding Development of Service Organization. This award is a testament to their tireless efforts in building a robust foundation and implementing effective processes that pave the way for future successes.

PLCnext Technology: Festo and Phoenix Contact Enter into Strategic Technology Partnership

PLCnext Technology: Festo and Phoenix Contact Enter into Strategic Technology Partnership

Festo, manufacturer of pneumatic and electrical automation technology, will use PLCnext Technology, the open ecosystem for modern automation from Phoenix Contact, in future intelligent devices. This will combine the innovative strength of both companies with the aim of taking industrial automation to a new level. The new product generation is expected to be launched at the end of the year.

ABB Pioneers Advanced Cable Protection Solution Crafted From Discarded Ocean Fishing Nets
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ABB Pioneers Advanced Cable Protection Solution Crafted From Discarded Ocean Fishing Nets

An estimated 1 million tons of abandoned, lost and discarded fishing gear (ALDFG), the equivalent of 50,000 double-decker buses, litter the world’s oceans every year, endangering marine life as a major source of ocean plastic pollution. To help address dangerous marine pollution, ABB Installation Products pioneered cable protection crafted from 50% recycle-based polyamide using primarily recovered fishing nets.

EPLAN Data Portal Update 01 April 2024

EPLAN Data Portal Update 01 April 2024

In this update of the EPLAN Data Portal, there are now a total of 487 manufacturers and more than 1,680,000 data sets are available with the update on April 11, 2024. New manufacturer catalogs are available from China Leadshine Technology Co. Ltd. with 178 new data sets for amplifiers and controllers, Sichuan Odot Automation System Co. Ltd. with 71 new data sets for PLCs, and Sauter AG with 29 new data sets for amplifiers and controllers.

Southwire Announces Investment in Condoit

Southwire Announces Investment in Condoit

In support of Southwire’s focus on strategic growth, the company is pleased to announce an investment in Condoit, a software platform for electrical design, analysis and collaboration. Condoit, based in Birmingham, Ala., has developed a software application to dramatically simplify the process of documenting “as-built” drawings of electrical systems. The company’s software aids in the design of new electrical projects, with a current focus on EV charging installations. It has implemented a simplified workflow, allowing electricians to leverage labor at all experience levels.

Winn Wise Named Southwire’s Chief Commercial Officer

Winn Wise Named Southwire’s Chief Commercial Officer

Southwire is pleased to announce that Winn Wise has been named Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, effective April 29, 2024. In line with the company’s long-term strategy, its efforts to remain generationally-sustainable and its commitment to best meet the needs of its stakeholders, Wise will lead commercial activities for the company and drive continuous improvement of the customer experience.

Visit Pepperl+Fuchs at HANNOVER MESSE 2024

Visit Pepperl+Fuchs at HANNOVER MESSE 2024

How do electrification, digitalization, and automation contribute to greater sustainability in industry? This year’s HANNOVER MESSE will be addressing this question. From April 22 to 26, 2024, visitors to the world’s most important industrial trade fair can discover innovative technologies and solutions to make their production processes safer and more efficient. Pepperl+Fuchs will also be in Hanover to present its latest product highlights—from high-performance sensor technology to robust and reliable solutions for explosion protection.

Billie Wallingford to Retire from STOBER

Billie Wallingford to Retire from STOBER

Billie Wallingford, a machinist on STOBER’s manufacturing team, has worked at STOBER for more than 10 years and will be retiring on April 26. Billie says he feels lucky to have been hired at STOBER after being laid off from a 33-year career at Browning’s in 2013 at the age of 54. “At the time, I was worried about who’d hire someone my age,” Billie said.  “But I was only laid off for six weeks—enough time to collect just one unemployment check—and I appreciate STOBER giving me a chance.”

nVent’s New 2023 Sustainability Report Details Meaningful Progress Across its Focus Areas of People, Products, Planet and Governance

nVent’s New 2023 Sustainability Report Details Meaningful Progress Across its Focus Areas of People, Products, Planet and Governance

nVent Electric plc has recently announced the release of its 2023 Sustainability Report. The report shares nVent’s 2023 achievements in each of its Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) focus areas of People, Products, Planet and Governance and provides updates on progress towards its ESG goals. The report also highlights two new goals, as described below. nVent Chair and Chief Executive Officer Beth Wozniak said, “At nVent, we are building a more sustainable and electrified world. Our commitment to sustainability is integral to how we operate, and we took measurable steps to improve our environmental impact in 2023. I’m proud of the journey we are on and what we have accomplished.”

EPLAN Data Portal Update 02 March 2024

EPLAN Data Portal Update 02 March 2024

In this update of the EPLAN Data Portal, there are now a total of 484 manufacturers and more than 1,690,000 data sets are available with the update on March 21, 2024. New manufacturer catalogs are available from Inventronics GmbH with 8 new data sets for electrical engineering – special items. Manufacturers with updated and new data sets include Balluf G,bH, Lenze SE, OMRON Corporation, Pepperl + Fuchs SE, and TE Connectivity.