Electrical components and systems company Eaton aims to grow in the utility, commercial buildings and mining sectors in Africa by replicating the success of its power quality business, says Eaton Africa Sales Director Malvin Naicker.

Eaton is focused on providing high-quality technical support and services to enter and grow in new market segments. The approach is based on the service levels of its power quality business, which maintains a good reputation and customer loyalty across Africa.

“Power projects are usually the purview of the governments in Africa, and gaining sufficient presence in a country to become a supplier to these projects is part of our long-term strategy. However, we are also focused on growing in the private sector in target markets to increase our prominence.”

The company will leverage its large installed base, including in the mining, data centre and industrial sectors, to grow in Africa. Eaton recognises that service levels and the quality of its support services underpin its sustainable, organic growth in African markets. Its five-year strategy will focus on tapping into the growing markets in the commercial, utilities and mining sectors, says Naicker.

“Our installed base in the harsh environments in the mining industry serves as proof of how robust our systems are. Further, the bespoke designs and customised products we build for clients provide us with the flexibility and agility increasingly demanded by them. This agility stands us in good stead to grow in new market segments.”

Eaton has manufacturing centres, which include 31 service technicians, in South Africa and Morocco, and seven offices across Africa. It also has more than 100 power quality and power distributor partners.

In line with its innovation and service-led approach, the company used a mobile exhibition truck that has seminar rooms for continuous professional development (CPD) courses. Eaton technical staff, including safety, power quality and battery storage solutions specialists, accompanied the truck and provided expert advice during the tour over the past few month.

The Eaton mobile technology truck allows technical specialists to engage directly with clients and serves as a platform for potential clients to view new products and systems, some of which will only be launched next year, concludes Naicker.