ATLANTA, Nov. 7, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Group EFACEC, a leading supplier of automation systems and infrastructure solutions to the global energy and transport sectors, announced plans yesterday to build a new $100 Million, state-of-the-art, transformer manufacturing facility in Effingham County, Georgia, near the town of Rincon. The news comes just two weeks after EFACEC announced its acquisition of Atlanta-based Advanced Control Systems.
The EFACEC plant, which will ultimately create over 600 new American jobs, is slated to deliver large transformers to U.S. utilities by the end of 2009. Founded in Portugal in 1948, EFACEC employs over 3,000 people and maintains a presence in more than 60 countries worldwide. EFACEC's annual revenue exceeds US $600 million.
"EFACEC is Portugal's leader in electronics and electro mechanics, and we're proud that they have chosen Effingham County and the state of Georgia as the site of their first U.S. plant," said Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue. "These jobs are high-skilled, high-pay positions and I know that EFACEC will be thrilled with the talented workforce they will employ."
Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue and EFACEC CEO Luis Filipe Pereira announced plans for the plant at a press conference, held on the steps of the Georgia State Capitol Monday, that was attended by government officials, Georgia Power executive vice president customer services Mickey Brown, and Georgia Power vice president transmission Leslie Sibert. Georgia Power is an EFACEC customer and will also supply power to the new manufacturing facility.
"Along with the acquisition of ACS, this plant investment is a landmark for EFACEC and an essential step in our growth strategy in the key United States market," said Luis Filipe Pereira, EFACEC CEO. "It also bolsters EFACEC's plans for expansion and globalization. With this investment, EFACEC hopes to strengthen its connection with current customers, including major U.S. utility companies, and to reach new clients as well."
In addition to Southern Company, Group EFACEC counts several other leading North American investor-owned utilities among its customers including Florida Power and Light, Pacific Gas & Electric Company, Nevada Power, NSTAR and Duke Energy. With the acquisition of Advanced Control Systems, EFACEC now serves utility customers in nearly every state in the U.S.A.
About Advanced Control Systems:
Advanced Control Systems, an EFACEC company, is a provider of smart grid solutions to the global electric power industry. The ACS software suite provides integrated distribution and outage management, simulation, optimization, and enterprise business intelligence. ACS automation products include a wide range of flexible and cost-effective substation, distribution, and feeder automation solutions. ACS is powering the utility of the future -- today. For more information, visit www.acsatlanta.com.
The Advanced Control Systems, Inc. logo is available at http://www.primenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=4180
About EFACEC:
Founded in Portugal in 1948, EFACEC is a leading global supplier of automation systems and infrastructure solutions to the global energy and transport sectors. EFACEC has over 3,000 employees, with operations throughout Europe, the Americas, Africa and Asia. For more information, visit www.efacec.pt.