CHICAGO - Emerson's Control Techniques Division announced the acquisition of Saftronics, Fort Myers, Fla. Saftronics is a leading provider of drives and drive systems for both industrial and commercial applications. The company's products are used in a wide range of applications, including the HVACR industry.

Control Techniques works closely with Emerson Climate Technologies to develop variable-speed drive technology for use in commercial air conditioning and refrigeration applications. According to Emerson executive vice president Tom Bettcher, the acquisition of Saftronics will strengthen Control Techniques' position in the HVACR market and allow it to grow its customer base.

Former Saftronics chief operating officer, Todd Jackson, remains with the company as the newly named president of Control Techniques Americas.

Emerson was also busy at this year's International Air-Conditioning, Heating, Refrigerating Exposition (AHR Expo). Emerson hosted a luncheon for contractors to review some the company's added service offerings. Bob Labbett, vice president of marketing, and Matt Brown, contractor support manager, highlighted some of the varied services including: Design Service Network that provides heating, cooling, and refrigeration engineering, design, and testing services for HVACR, industrial, and scientific equipment manufacturers; Distribution Services that centralizes aftermarket support for wholesalers, contractors, and end-users covering the company's products and services; Educational Services that integrates HVACR technical training seminars and products for wholesalers, contractors, and end-users; and Retail Services that customizes retail facility services, including remote equipment monitoring, service dispatch, food quality and safety monitoring, power monitoring, energy-efficiency analysis, and project management.

After the presentation, contractors were invited to the Emerson booth on the AHR Expo floor and were given incentive laden passports that could be stamped at various spots in the large booth area. For more information, visit www.emersonclimatecontractor.com.

Publication date: 02/13/2006