ETAL opens power R&D and manufacturing centre in UK
The new centre follows the acquisition of Sussex-based transformer and wound component specialist Grandchain. Andrew Adams, Technical Director of Grandchain, will be R&D Manager at the Centre and technical director at Etal. “This is a great opportunity to join a global company and be part of an international business that offers its customers a fantastic range of technologies and capabilities,” he said.
Grandchain has been a transformer manufacturer for over 30 years, incorporating design expertise from Transformer Technology and Ripley Transformers. The site will manufacture prototypes and small production batches for customers in the UK and Europe. Larger volumes can also be built in the UK, or production can be transferred to ETAL’s production facilities in Estonia or Sri Lanka. It can produce custom-made wound components including conventional and toroidal transformers from simple hand-wound coils to multi-wound devices using high speed, multi-head, computer controlled machines along with facilities for encapsulation processes both under vacuum and without.
Etal started making high-performance magnetic components such as transformers and inductors, which are used in AC/DC converters, DC/DC converters and signal applications, in 1968. Target markets include the telecom, power technology, automotive, industrial and defence industries. The majority of components are custom-designed for specific applications, but it also offers a range of standard components. It recently doubled its manufacturing capacity in Ratmalana, Sri Lanka to over 5000 sq m. It also has a 2400 sq m site in Estonia.
“Etal is flourishing in all its major markets, and the new centre supports our European sales team in growing our business further,” said Dan Phelan, President of Etal. “Opening a fast turnaround prototype centre in the UK allows us to offer a rapid, flexible and very competitive service delivering the high quality standards our customers expect.”
