Legrand Expands Data Center Capabilities with Acquisition of Electrorack in the United States

WEST HARTFORD, Conn., Jan. 7, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Legrand, North America today announced the purchase of Electrorack Products Company, an American company specializing in cabinets, power and cooling solutions.  The acquisition is the latest in a series over the last 8 years that have helped Legrand's North American division grow its revenue and hit record profitability.

Legrand, North America is expanding its leadership in the commercial data communications market by enhancing its manufacturing, engineering and product offerings through the acquisition of Electrorack.  The demand for cabinets and accessories in data centers, broadcast and broadband, industrial and military/aerospace/shipboard markets is expected to expand by 10% a year in the United States over the next few years.

Electrorack's well established position with the largest corporations in the US and its range's excellent fit with that of Ortronics will enable Legrand to accelerate its growth in the buoyant Voice, Data, and Imaging (VDI) segment in the US.  Electrorack will become a center of excellence for manufacturing and engineering of cabinets, cooling and power products, and will drive growth for both Ortronics and Electrorack product lines through innovation and design.  The Electrorack management team will remain in place and report directly to Mark Panico, President of the Data Communications division of Legrand, North America.

Legrand will enable Electrorack to accelerate its market reach and growth through financial, intellectual property and design support.  Electrorack's expertise in design & built to order customer specific solutions will boost Legrand's capability to provide a greater scope of offering to its customers.

Based in Anaheim, CA, Electrorack employees will have new and expanded opportunities to grow personally and professionally as they work with Legrand's colleagues worldwide.

About Legrand

Legrand is the global specialist in electrical and digital building infrastructures.  Its comprehensive offering of solutions for use in commercial, industrial and residential markets makes it a benchmark for customers worldwide.  Innovation for a steady flow of new products with high added value is a prime vector for growth.  Legrand reported sales of $5 billion in 2009.  Legrand has a strong presence in the North American market, with a portfolio of well-known product lines that include Cablofil, On-Q, Ortronics, Pass & Seymour, Vantage, Watt Stopper and Wiremold.  The company is listed on NYSE Euronext and is a component stock of indexes including the SBF120, FTSE4Good, MSCI World, ASPI.  In 2010, Legrand was added to the European DJSI as well (ISIN code FR0010307819).  www.legrand.us

About Electrorack

For 55 years, Electrorack has been a leading manufacturer of enclosures, cabinets, power and cooling for commercial data communications applications.  Electrorack has a solid and proven reputation for innovation, technology, and experienced people.  Electrorack designs, manufactures, and delivers preconfigured electronic racks and enclosures for virtually every industry.  The designs incorporate power, cabling, and cooling considerations, and their scalable, custom solutions result in significant time and cost savings for their customers.  www.electrorack.com

SOURCE Legrand