Siemens has chosen APS Industrial’s Adelaide site to become the first non-Siemens facility worldwide to adapt and assemble Siemens’ air circuit breaker (ACB) with the opening of a new manufacturing facility in Adelaide.
Over the next ten years, the new plant will manufacture and assemble a variety of critical technology and will create over 150 technological jobs in the local sector, the company said in a press release.
According to Siemens, local Australian manufacturing will also help to shorten current ACBs product availability lead times by up to 50 per cent while also increasing the footprint of locally built systems.
Speaking at the announcement, Siemens Australia and New Zealand CEO Peter Halliday said that this is the first time in the world that these Siemens products will be built and certified outside of a Siemens factory, providing the same quality assurances.
“This demonstrates the trust and ability of our national distribution partner APS Industrial. APS will adapt and assemble Siemens ACBs and peripheral equipment right here in Adelaide, which is good for jobs, good for industry and good for the economy,” Halliday remarked.
Siemens stated that ACBs are an important component of the energy shift across industries, assisting in the provision of safe power and the protection of valuable equipment at manufacturing sites, built environments, mine sites, commercial buildings, and any other infrastructure requiring a safe and secure source of electricity.
In particular, the facility will allow APS to increase the speed with which ACBs are delivered to switchboard builders and electrical contractors that install and service the Australian and New Zealand markets.
APS CEO David Hegarty noted at the launch event in Adelaide that this is a big investment for APS, Siemens, and local businesses.
He said, “The establishment of this new facility will reduce the reliance on global supply chains for a product that is critical to many applications and industries. We’re proud to support local industry and jobs and keep giving them access to best-in-class global technology.”
Meanwhile, South Australian Deputy Premier Dr Susan Close, who welcomed the local investment, said that Siemens and South Australia have a rich relationship dating back more than 150 years.
“As South Australia continues to grow, we need like-minded partners like Siemens and APS that help build our sovereign capability and protect critical infrastructure and industry. This investment and commitment to future jobs further cements the technological prowess and capabilities of our state,” the deputy premier stated.
