Socomec celebrates 40th anniversary

05 March 2009

2009 anniversary follows 40 years of development and achievement for UPS specialists.

This year marks our 40th anniversary, the occasion to look back at this past so rich in developments and achievement. However, the celebration of the glorious pages of the Socomec UPS story does not exclude the fierce determination to keep moving forward. Today Socomec UPS is present all around the world. Its products protect the most critical applications: telecom, data centres, industry, banking and insurance, public and military transport, the healthcare sector etc.

The success of Socomec UPS finds its genesis in the skills of its workforce. It is also the result of the independence of the Group - the guarantee of a strategy that favours the long term over the short term. We look back over these successful 40 years.

1968 is a landmark year in history for Socomec, with the launch of its UPS Division. A birth in the image of a Group that has always known how to combine experience and innovation. As in any (beautiful) story, there is always an element of luck that becomes an opportunity when it is well exploited. In 1967, at the Basle Trade Fair, the Socomec directors meet the AGIE Company for the first time (a Swiss manufacturer of uninterruptible power supplies). A stroke of luck for the Group who had been looking at ways to diversify. Socomec become the exclusive distributor of the Swiss-made UPS equipment in France and Belgium.

In 1968, the new UPS Division becomes a separate and self-sufficient unit within the company. Bernard Steyert, grandson of the founder Joseph Siat, takes over the management of this new Division, enabling Socomec to become the first manufacturer to offer high power UPS equipment to the French market. Its successful case studies multiply with the leading French banks such as Crédit Lyonnais, Crédit Agricole and the Paris Stock Exchange, the Kourou data processing centre, the Bercenay and Pleumeur Boudou satellite telecommunications centre, France Telecom, continuing Socomec’s development and expertise in the electronics field.

1983 marked a turning point in the unstoppable growing power of the UPS Division, with a significant technological advancement: the launch of the first UPS with thyristor-based systems integrating PWM technology (more performance from equipment with a reduced footprint). From now on Socomec produces its own UPS equipment. In 1986, the UPS Division moves operations to a new production plant.

From this comes a long series of innovative production techniques and sales facilities to meet ever-increasing demand. 1991 saw a partnership forged with Italian UPS manufacturer Sicon, specialist in low and medium power equipment. The year after, Michael Carter takes over as Managing Director of the UPS Division.

The list of prestigious case studies grows: the Albertville winter Olympic Games, the Louvre Museum, the Société Générale’s trading rooms and the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, are just a few. International development of the UPS Division begins with the setting up of sales subsidiaries in Germany, Spain, Thailand, and the UK.

In 1998 Sicon merges with the Socomec Group. Further technological advances are developed within the UPS range, with Modulys (modular equipment) in 2001, Delphys DS elite (first generation with ‘clean’ rectifier) in 2003, Masterys (with independent microprocessor) in 2004 and Delphys MX (the most compact range on the market from 300 to 500 kVA) in 2005. In the meantime, Pascal Kim, Group Financial Director takes over the management of the Division, replacing Michael Carter who moves on to become CEO of the Group.

A new subsidiary opens in India in 2006 and the launch of the Flywheel – in partnership with the American company Pentadyne (battery-free power supply protection for mission-critical applications).

2007 sees a change in visual identity: Socomec Sicon gives way to Socomec UPS. On an industrial level, a new production plant is built in Italy and more innovation: the 5000m² of factory space is inspired by organisational concepts developed by Toyota.

What can we expect of tomorrow? New challenges with new solutions - to meet the demands of the ever-changing market place. As proof, our near future brings the launch of the high output Delphys Green Power range that is fully in keeping with the growing demands for energy savings. Expect availability in early 2009.

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Socomec celebrates 40th anniversary

05 March 2009

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