New building increases production capacity and creates new jobs
SASKATOON, Saskatchewan--(Business Wire)--
Littelfuse Startco recently celebrated the grand opening of its new facility in
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Among the attendees were members of the local
government, more than 150 customers, representation from the world`s leading
mining companies including PotashCorp, Agrium, Mosaic and BHP Billiton, as well
as executives and associates of Littelfuse, Inc.
The brand-new 67,500 square foot facility more than doubled the company`s
production capacity to meet increased customer demand for its protection relays
and custom power centers. The building includes an enlarged engineering area to
accommodate future growth, a research and development lab, and an expanded
electronics assembly area with upgraded testing equipment. The electronics
assembly area includes a burn-in room used to test every Littelfuse Startco
electronic product.
"In September of 2008, Littelfuse completed the acquisition of Startco
Engineering to complement our technology portfolio and provide our customers
with additional protection relay expertise. Today, a year later, I`m pleased to
be standing here in this new building that more than doubles our production
capacity and has room for us to expand employment, which has increased 20% over
the past year," said Dan Stanek, General Manager of Littelfuse Startco.
"…Startco was acquired by Littelfuse, creating a new relationship, but [is]
still providing the same quality service," added the Honorable Joceline
Schriemer, MLA for Saskatoon Sutherland.
Startco Engineering has been a part of the local Saskatchewan economy since
1975. The company produces custom power centers and machine controls for the
mining industry, as well as ground-fault and motor protection relays used in a
wide range of industrial applications. In 2008, the company was purchased by
Littelfuse, the global leader in circuit protection, to compliment its own
offering of ground-fault protection products. The acquisition expanded design
and manufacturing capabilities for both companies, enabling Littelfuse Startco
to offer a broader portfolio of safety related products to its customers.
"The acquisition of Startco Engineering by Littelfuse is a good fit for the
customers and employees of both companies. The Startco products expand our line
of ground-fault protection products and add the successful custom power centre
design and manufacturing capabilities to our electrical business. Startco
customers will benefit from our broad portfolio of safety and circuit protection
products as well as our global sales and support network," said Dal Ferbert,
Vice President and General Manager of the Littelfuse POWR-GARD Electrical
Business Unit. "We are also excited about the opportunities we have to extend
Littelfuse Startco`s products to current and potential customers in the United
States through our well established distribution channels."
Other products and services offered by the Littelfuse POWR-GARD Electrical
Business Unit include industrial power fuses, fuseholders and safety devices, as
well as electrical safety consulting services and worker training.
About Littelfuse
As the worldwide leader in circuit protection products and solutions with annual
sales of $530.9 million in 2008, the Littelfuse portfolio is backed by
industry-leading technical support, design and manufacturing expertise.
Littelfuse products are vital components in virtually every product that uses
electrical energy, including automobiles, computers, consumer electronics,
handheld devices, industrial equipment and telecom/datacom circuits. Littelfuse
offers Teccor®, Wickmann®
and Pudenz® brand circuit protection products. In addition to its Chicago,
Illinois, world headquarters, Littelfuse has sales, distribution, manufacturing
and engineering facilities in Brazil, Canada, China, England, Germany, Hong
Kong, India, Japan, Korea, Mexico, the Netherlands, the Philippines, Singapore,
Taiwan and the U.S.
For more information, please visit www.littelfuse.com
Dan Stanek
General Manager of Littelfuse Startco
Littelfuse, Inc.
Tel: +1 773 628 0701
dstanek@littelfuse.com
Copyright Business Wire 2009
