Electricity equipment and automation multinational Schneider Electric has appointed South African company Eya Bantu as one of its local engineering and customisation licensed partners for its range of PIX Easy air-insulated medium-voltage (MV) switchgear.

This will bolster local manufacturing and skills development in South Africa’s energy management sector, Schneider Electric says.

Eya Bantu is certified under licence to design, manufacture, assemble, test and sell PIX Easy FR type-tested switchboards, after being awarded the Schneider Electric EcoXpert MV Panel Master badge.

Eya Bantu has been a Schneider Electric value-adding partner for more than six years and the new agreement will see the engineering services company manufacturing PIX Easy MV switchgear according to Schneider Electric standards and processes.

Schneider Electric-licensed panel builders receive training on the latest technologies and standards and are audited on a regular basis to ensure they deliver the best service and performance.

“We are an energy sector [high-voltage (HV)] and MV electrical engineering specialist company and we can offer our and Schneider Electric’s customers purpose-built solutions incorporating the PIX Easy MV switchgear,” says Eya Bantu director Jadri Hurter.

“As a local company, we can add engineering value to the equipment and offer turnkey solutions to South African companies based on Schneider Electric’s products, which will benefit the industry and strengthen relationships in the energy space,” he adds.

Eya Bantu has, as a result of the Schneider Electric agreement, already employed 15 staff members and, with a second assembly plant now in operation, there will be even more employment opportunities in the near future.

“The appointment of Eya Bantu will allow Schneider Electric to be closer to customers, providing improved turnaround on design, manufacturing and after-sales support.

“Additionally, it will optimise our supply chain, as less equipment needs to be manufactured abroad, saving not only time but engineering and transport costs,” comments Schneider Electric Power Systems offer and marketing director Brighton Mwarehwa.

“Eya Bantu is one of the country’s foremost electrical engineering services companies and will undoubtedly add enormous value to our switchgear and energy management business in South Africa.

“Schneider Electric recognises the valuable and independent technical expertise and provision of innovative solutions and services provided by Eya Bantu to our mutual customers. We look forward to a successful collaboration in this next chapter of our valuable partnership,” he adds.

PIX Easy is an indoor MV switchgear with a voltage rating up to 17.5 kV with withdrawable vacuum circuit breaker up to 2 500 A and 31.5 kA , providing a high level of safety, simplicity to use and strong reliability.

The PIX Easy air-insulated MV switchgear is used as an electrical distribution technology for various energy segments, such as electrical utilities, renewable energy sector, buildings and various industries, Schneider Electric says.