News


Acquisition boosts Actum’s industrial credentials

1 July 2015 News

The Actum Group has beefed up its industrial clout with the acquisition of more than a century of pedigree in the form of Dowson & Dobson Industrial.

Actum Group co-director Greg Barron (left) and director Kevin Klaff.
Actum Group co-director Greg Barron (left) and director Kevin Klaff.

While Dowson & Dobson has been well managed and developed over the decades, Actum Group co-director Greg Barron reveals that there is always room for improvement. “We believe that adding young energy with experience is key to ensuring continued success for the next exciting phase in the business’s long and respected history,” he states.

Barron believes that the outlook for Dowson & Dobson under the Actum Group is positive. “There are many synergies in combining these businesses, as we have a larger product offering that still remains uniquely niche and top-end. To date, this transaction has been favourably received by our valued customers and suppliers, and we are proud to represent the world’s leading brands locally.”

Actum has largely achieved its expansion goals by acquiring businesses with a similar model, notes director Kevin Klaff. “We bought Actum Electronics in 2004 and took over what was a relatively small niche importer of electronic components. The business had been around for 35 years at that time, with an excellent name and brand value in the local electronics market,” he explains.

Having successfully developed that business into a leading supplier of interconnect technology, electronic components and electronic packaging, Actum set its sights on acquiring similar-sized businesses that had access to high-quality niche products. In 2006, Actum acquired Altico Static Control, a specialist in static control solutions for the electronics manufacturing, telecoms and military markets.

In 2007, Actum acquired Connecta, a connectivity components supplier to the electronics, military, mining and industrial markets. This acquisition diversified Actum’s offering to become more industrial and mining-focused. Both these businesses had been in operation for more than 25 years and fitted the requirement for good-quality niche products with a strong brand name.

Actum expanded further in 2012 with the acquisition of Peter Jones Electronic Equipment, a leader in the diagnostic, analytical and process instrumentation industry since 1968. The company specialises in flow, gas and moisture measurement, as well as many other disciplines within process instrumentation and control. This acquisition took the Actum Group product range from a component-level offering to a more finished product solution-based offering.

Looking to the future, Barron explains that the Actum Group is positioning itself as a value-added supplier with two distinctive divisions: Actum Electronics and Actum Industrial. Actum Electronics will continue to focus on the component range of products, while Actum Industrial will house the Peter Jones Electronic Equipment and Dowson & Dobson Industrial brands. Each division has its own dedicated technical sales team offering customised product and solutions packages to its extensive customer base.

For more information contact Kevin Klaff, Actum Electronics, +27 (0)11 608 3001, [email protected], www.actum.co.za



Credit(s)



Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page

Further reading:

From the editor's desk: Exciting times ahead?
Technews Publishing News
There are many subjects that excite me in this world, but two of the larger technical subjects are, firstly, renewable energy, and secondly, the idea of artificial intelligence as it continues to evolve ...

Read more...
Microchip expands partnership with TSMC
News
Microchip Technology has announced it has expanded its partnership with TSMC to enable a specialised 40 nm manufacturing capacity at Japan Advanced Semiconductor Manufacturing.

Read more...
Huge SA grid battery project
News
A standalone battery energy storage system (BESS) has won preferred bidder status under South Africa’s Energy Storage Capacity Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (ESIPPPP).

Read more...
Mouser sponsors NCP Cup 2024
News
The NXP Cup is an EMEA-based autonomous car competition, presented by NXP Semiconductors, which is designed to provide students with real-world experiences in autonomous vehicle programming and building.

Read more...
TrinaTracker brings its smart solar tracking to SA
News
The Vanguard 1P is designed to provide customers with trackers that combine suitability for flat terrain, together with outstanding system stability and reliability, quick installation, and flexible external compatibility.

Read more...
Nordex adding 830 MW of wind generation
News
Nordex Energy South Africa will be adding 830 MW of wind energy generation capacity to the company’s already-installed 1 GW base.

Read more...
Invertek produces its three millionth drive
iTek Drives News
Invertek Drives Ltd, a global manufacturer of variable frequency drive (VFD) technology, has celebrated producing its three millionth VFD, just three years after its two-million milestone.

Read more...
Analog Devices’ digital storefront is live
News
Analog Devices has designed an improved digital experience with users in mind – a new analog.com website and eShop.

Read more...
Clearing the Static: Understanding the significance of ESD audits
Actum Electronics Circuit & System Protection
An ESD (Electrostatic Discharge) audit is the first step in establishing an ESD plan, and it is important to include all areas where ESD-sensitive components are being handled.

Read more...
Vicor Powering Innovation podcast
News
The episode explores electrification with Lightning Motorcycles, a company that produces the fastest electric motorcycle on the planet.

Read more...