Vacon

Vacon is a developer and manufacturer of variable-speed AC drives that are used in various applications including compressors, conveyors, cranes, elevators, escalators, fans, heaters, mixers, packaging machines, pumps, textile machines, wind turbines, and winders. Vacon's AC drives serve a wide range of industrial segments such as building automation, chemical industry, food and beverage, machine building, marine and offshore, mining, motor industry, oil and gas industry, power stations, pulp and paper, water and waste water, rubber and plastics, and renewable energy resources.

History

Vacon was founded in 1993 as Vaasa Control Ltd by 13 engineers who wanted to revolutionize the AC drive market. Two years later, the company launches the first products of the Vacon X range. In the same year, the company opens a factory in Vaasa, Finland as well as subsidiaries in Germany and Sweden. In addition, Vacon also makes a sales and licensing agreement with TB Wood's Inc. In 1996, the company makes an OEM contract with KCI Konecranes International Plc to apply AC drives technology for crane use. The following year, the company enters into a brand label contract with Honeywell Inc. In 1998, Vacon opens subsidiaries in the Netherlands, Italy, and Spain as well as a new office and factory facilities in Vaasa, Finland. Vacon also enters into another OEM agreement; this time with Schindler. Within the same year, a brand label agreement is made with Cutler-Hammer, which is part of Eaton Corporation. In 1999, Vacon opens a representative office in Singapore as well as subsidiaries in Austria and the United Kingdom. A year later, the company launches the first products the VACON NX series. Around the same time, the company changes its name to Vacon Plc and is listed on the Helsinki Stock Exchange. The company also opens another subsidiary; this time in China. In 2000, more subsidiaries are opened - Russia, France, Norway, and Belgium. In 2003, the company enters into a partnership agreement with Schneider-Toshiba. The following year, the company enters into a cooperative design, developent, and supply agreement with Rockwell. In 2005, Vacon enters into another brand agreement with a different company - Hyundai Heavy Industries Co., Ltd. In addition, the company starts producing AC drives in China. A representative office is opened in the United Arab Emirates in the same year. The company also extends its power range to 5 MW. In 2006, the company opens offices in India, Australia, Thailand, and Brazil. Vacon also makes a global cooperation agreement with Converteam. A year later, the company launches the first product of its third product range, VACON 10. Vacon also oens a subsidiary in the U.S. as well as a new high-power service center in the Netherlands. In 2008, the company acquires TB Wood's AC drive division. More agreements are made within the year as well - a global cooperation agreement with Voith Paper Automation and a global supply agreement with Veolia Water Solutions & Technologies. Vacon also opens more offices in Czech Republic, Canada, Ukraine, Romania, and Slovakia. A year later, subsidiaries are opened in Denmark and South Korea. Vacon enters into the solar energy business in 2010 by purchasing a small Spanish company that specializes in designing solar energy inverters. Within the same year, the company is divided into two parts: Vacon Drives Finland Profit Centre and Global Group Management. Vacon also enters into a supplier contract with KONE Corporation. The company also starts researching computer security for industrial automation applications with global computer security provider F-Secure. Vacon accomplishes on more thing before the year ends: the design of the VACON 8000 SOLAR inverters with Multimaster software for solar energy applications. In 2011, Vacon opens a new factory in Suzhou, China as well as offices in Abu Dhabi, UAE and Lauro de Freitas, Bahia, Brazil. A new factory is also opened near Merano, Italy. The company also expands its product range by launching 3 new AC drives, a new model of VACON 10, VACON 20, and VACON 20 Cold Plate. A year later, Vacon launches more new products: the benchmark new general purpose AC drive, VACON 100, VACON 100X & VACON 20 X.

Headquarters & Locations

Vacon has its headquarters located in Vaasa, Finland. The company has 18 subsidiaries and representative offices in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, 8 in the Asia-Pacific, and 4 in North & South America. Vacon also has factories located in Finland, Italy, China, India, and the U.S. In addition, Vacon has sales representatives and service partners in almost 90 countries across the globe.