Kaman Announces National Distributor Agreement With Schneider

Effective immediately, KIT, a leading Power Transmission distributor in the United States, will become a distributor for Schneider Electric's line of industrial automation and control products as well as select power control and protection products commonly used in motor control applications.

"We are pleased to be working with KIT, one of the most highly-ranked Power Transmission distributors in the country," said Mary Ramsey, SVP, Schneider Electric Industry Business. "This agreement provides our mutual customers with a new level of expertise and an ability to deliver technical solutions for both end users and OEMs. It also allows Schneider Electric to enter new channels to market with a partner that boasts a large footprint."

"KIT provides a different entry point to our potential customers," added Jeff Jervah, Director of Channel Development at Schneider Electric Industry Business. "We look forward to working together to provide the Power Transmission market a comprehensive line of drives, controls, automation and sensors products from one supplier - an offering that is currently absent from the market."

As part of the agreement, Schneider Electric will become KIT's primary line of AC drives, sensors, low voltage controls and automation. The deal also authorizes the sale of Schneider Electric Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs), Human Machine Interfaces (HMIs) and signaling equipment. KIT will begin stocking these products at its more than 200 locations throughout the U.S. in the first quarter of 2013.

Schneider Electric's products align with the existing focus of Power Transmission/Motion Control distributors, a group accustomed to technical solution sales of applied products that require a high degree of expertise. To further ensure the best solutions are delivered to mutual customers, Schneider Electric will also provide drives specialists to support a mutually agreed upon number of KIT branches. Each specialist is certified and will offer support and technical knowledge.

Steve Smidler, President of KIT stated, "We are pleased to expand our strategic relationship with Schneider Electric nationally and to be able to offer their world class products to our more than 50,000 customers. We have built a strong network to offer Electrical & Automation Control, MRO-Bearing & Power Transmission, and Fluid Power products to a broad cross section of North American industry."

KIT was previously authorized to offer Schneider Electric products through only five locations, acquired earlier this year via the acquisition of the operating assets of Zeller Corporation.