Research and Markets: South African Low Voltage Switchgear Market Expected to Grow at Higher-Than-Average Rates from 2008 to 2010 as Nation Prepares to Host the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup

DUBLIN--(Business Wire)--
Research and Markets
(http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/9d81c4/south_african_low) has
announced the addition of Frost & Sullivan's new report "South African Low
Voltage Switchgear Market" to their offering.

The research project focuses on the South African low voltage switchgear market.
The switchgear products discussed include miniature circuit breakers (MCBs),
molded case circuit breakers (MCCBs), air circuit breakers (ACBs), pushbutton
switches (PBs), contactors and relays (C & Rs), intelligent overloads (IOs),
electronic overloads (EOs), thermal overloads (TOs) and finally soft starters
(SSs). The study analyses usage of switchgear within the industrial, utilities,
commercial and residential end user segments. The study also explores key
pricing, marketing and technology trends of the low voltage switchgear market.
Also discussed are the industry challenges, drivers, restraints, revenues and
key investment and growth opportunities

This Frost & Sullivan research titled South African Low Voltage Switchgear
Market provides a comprehensive analysis of the commercial, utilities,
industrial, and commercial sectors of the low voltage switchgear market in South
Africa. It also identifies significant opportunities for market participants and
discusses major market challenges, drivers, and restraints. In this research,
Frost & Sullivan's expert analysts thoroughly examine the following low voltage
switchgear products: air circuit breakers (ACBs), moulded case circuit breakers
(MCCBs), miniature circuit breakers (MCBs), contactors and relays (C&Rs),
pushbutton switches (PBs), electronic overload relays (EOs), intelligent
overload relays (IOs) and finally, thermal overload relays (TOs).

Market Overview

Economic Growth and Increased Automation Expand Applications of Low Voltage
Switchgears in South Africa

As South Africa has emerged from a gloomy economic environment to notch up
significant economic growth rates from 1998 to 2007, the installed base of low
voltage switchgear products across the industrial, utilities, residential and
commercial sectors has expanded. The market is likely to see the greatest demand
from the retrofit section but other sections are expected to contribute
handsomely too, due to the proliferation of applications. The wide range of
products testifies the diversity of the market and its sizeable customer base.
Going forward, the market is expected to grow at higher-than-average rates from
2008 to 2010, in line with increased construction of stadia, hospitals, hotels,
shopping complexes and upgrades of existing infrastructure, as the nation
prepares to host the 2010 FIFA soccer world cup. Meanwhile, there have been
several technological improvements in low voltage switchgear components, with
the focus being on increased efficiency, intelligence and longer durability.

Despite these encouraging market drivers, manufacturers have had to risk
alienating customers by increasing their selling prices to compensate for
spiralling production costs and shrinking profits. This is because the prices of
metals, especially, aluminium, steel and copper, have shot up globally since
2003 and have shown no signs of abatement. "Large enterprises have tried to
offset this price hike by employing better manufacturing processes," says the
analyst of this research. "The manufacturers have aimed to increase volumetric
output to stay buoyant in this aggressively competitive market." They will also
have to come up with strategies to deal with the low availability of raw
materials, as most mining companies are focusing on the more lucrative precious
minerals sector.

On the flipside, the boom in commodity prices has increased investment within
the South African mining and metals industry, creating fresh application for low
voltage switchgear products. "The reopening of closed mines and the
commissioning of new projects will also support the switchgear market," notes
the analyst. "Furthermore, automation levels within the manufacturing and mining
industry continue to advance as entities strive to achieve improved production
performance." This trend has created a case for low voltage switchgear products,
which protect and control the automation equipment. Switchgears' general
protection and control functions will be in greater focus once end users invest
in alternative energy sources, providing greater thrust to the market.

Market Sectors

Expert Frost & Sullivan analysts thoroughly examine the following market sectors
in this research:

* Air circuit breakers (ACBs)
* Moulded case circuit breakers (MCCBs)
* Miniature circuit breakers (MCBs)
* Contactors and relays (C&Rs)
* Pushbutton switches (PBs)
* Electronic overload relays (EOs)
* Intelligent overload relays (IOs)
* Thermal overload relays (TOs)

Key Topics Covered:

* 1 MARKET OVERVIEW
* Overview
* 1. Introduction

For more information visit
http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/9d81c4/south_african_low

Research and Markets
Laura Wood
Senior Manager
press@researchandmarkets.com
Fax from USA: 646-607-1907
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