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Actum: Building on reputation in the local electronics sector

EMP 2017 Electronics Manufacturing & Production Handbook News

As a niche importer and distributor of quality components and instrumentation products, the Actum Group has built up a solid reputation in the local

electronics sector, by embarking on a diversification and expansion strategy that recently saw it acquire Dowson & Dobson Industrial.

The Actum Group comprises two main divisions. Actum Electronics focuses on electronic components, while Actum Industrial encompasses industrial products, pneumatics and professional tooling. “All these businesses have been well-established brands in their respective markets,” Kevin Klaff, director of the Actum Group, explains.

“When we acquired Actum Electronics in 2004, we took over what was a relatively niche importer of electronic components. At that time it had already been established in the market for 35 years, with an excellent reputation in the local electronics sector,” he notes.

In 2006, Actum acquired Altico Static Control Products, a specialist in static control solutions for the electronic manufacturing, telecoms and military markets. Altico is the sole provider in the South African market of a complete range of ESD (electrostatic discharge) products and solutions. Its offering in the ESD space is comprehensive, ranging from ESD inspections and audits to complete ESD facility installation and encompassing ESD consumables. According to Actum co-director Greg Barron, Altico is the only business in the industry that offers such a complete service offering. “Our experience allows us to kit out an ESD facility from a shell through to production phase,” he states.

In 2007, Actum acquired Connecta, a connectivity components supplier to the electronics, military, mining and industrial markets. This diversified the Actum Group further into the industrial and mining sectors. 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.

The acquisition of Peter Jones Electronic Equipment, a leader in the diagnostic, analytical and process instrumentation industry, continued this expansion apace in 2012. This was an important step as it elevated the Actum Group’s product range from a component level to an integrated solutions offering. “We acquire brands that fit within our scope of expertise, and that complement the group’s vision. Our expansion goals are focused mainly on acquiring businesses with a similar model,” Barron explains.

The Actum Group is striving to take all of its brands to what it describes as the next level, through improved customer relations, better stockholding and faster response times. “Our vision is to provide our clients with the best quality industrial and electronic products,” Klaff emphasises. “Quality is a given across our entire product range, as all of our principals are global leaders in their respective markets. It is this focus on quality, together with our enhanced customer communications, that will continue to differentiate us in the marketplace.”

Looking to the future, Barron concludes that the Actum Group will continue to focus on expanding its dedicated technical sales team, offering customised product and solutions packages to its extensive customer base.

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



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