In a strategic and shrewd move that saw UK based Powervamp consolidate its technical lead over competitors, the Company announced on 1 February 2012 that it had bought Effekta UK Ltd, manufacturer of advanced solid state 400Hz aircraft converters and standby lighting systems.
Powervamp, already supplying its range of portable GPUs, lightweight power supplies and heavy duty DC start carts for regional operators to over 60 countries, had steadily strengthened its engineering department to handle the design of its new range of 400Hz converters. In a surprise move, Powervamp has brought together the two businesses in what industry observers see as a perfect synergy of product range, additional engineering skills and growth opportunities.
By acquiring Effekta, the expanded business has added technical and commercial strength to its financial reserves allowing it to tender for major international projects. “This is not just about GPUs, Effekta is a leading manufacturer of static inverters and large standby lighting installations which it already supplies to airport terminals, office blocks and sports centres. It will continue to supply under the highly respected Effekta brand. The Company is a perfect fit to our business and skills” commented Richard Roller, Powervamp’s Managing Director.
With Effekta’s software and electronics already used by a number of companies that “badge engineer” their own brand converters, the increased capacity of the expanded business will reduce delivery times. The acquisition means Powervamp now controls all software and design rights to the new range of solid state 400Hz static converters, bringing in-house all aspects of design, production and build quality. Final assembly of converters will continue to take place at Powervamp’s Weston-super-Mare factory in the UK with the Company stating it has no plans to halt assembly of products for other companies.
Such is the commonality of certain key components within both companies’ product ranges that the combined entity is confident of achieving cost savings and production efficiencies that will help to stabilise prices at a time when raw material costs are still increasing ahead of inflation.
A key factor in the decision to acquire Effekta was the need to have full control from design to despatch of its aviation converters thus guaranteeing product quality and service support. According to Managing Director, Richard Roller, this latter issue was a key factor in the decision to buy Effekta. “With our products now being used by major airlines at airports and FBOs world-wide, there is little difference in the eyes of an operator between an aircraft AOG and the failure of a static converter installed where planning regulations prohibit the use of diesel GPUs. In both cases, the cost of downtime can be huge and we need to be in full control of our service response.” He commented. The service teams of both companies are being trained across the expanded product range to support the increase in business.
Following successful trials, Bristol Airport – the UK’s major airport serving the South West, Wales and increasingly, inhabitants located midway between Bristol and London and Bristol and Birmingham – selected Powervamp’s 90Kva solid state converters for its expanded apron and additional aircraft stands. The Company has an expanding order book within the UK and abroad, already demonstrating its emerging position in the 400Hz market.
