Kempston Controls signs new Mitsubishi Electric distribution agreement

The UK-headquartered specialist technical distributor will now offer the full suite of Mitsubishi Electric automation products and services, specifically variable speed drives, motion control, PLCs, HMIs, robots and licensed training.

As part of the agreement, Kempston Controls will make an immediate investment in training, technical and service support, including a sizeable investment in stock at distribution facilities that service customers nationwide.

Kempston Controls aims to use the agreement as a springboard to target new sectors with automation solutions, particularly the process industries including key verticals such as pharmaceutical and food and beverage.

Damian Wynne, Managing Director at Kempston Controls, says the agreement completes Kempston Controls's automation offering.

"This is Kempston Controls' biggest move in a decade and a very exciting new venture that opens up significant opportunities for both companies. This agreement fills a gap in our technical capability and enables us, with Mitsubishi Electric's support, to provide full turnkey automation solutions to our customers.

"Our commitment to this agreement is clearly demonstrated by our sizeable investment in stock, training and support and we are confident that together we can provide outstanding technical solutions for our customers and grow our respective businesses."

Kempston Controls employs 300 staff with operations in the UK, including distribution sites in Earls Barton in Northamptonshire and Huddersfield, along with manufacturing sites in Manchester and Holyhead. Overseas, the company has distribution centres and sales support in Ireland and UAE, along with a sales support in North America, India and Sri Lanka.

Mitsubishi Electric recently attended Kempston Controls's two-day 'Plugged-In' event with excellent feedback from customers. "The reaction from our customer base was very positive," says Damian. "Our customers can see that this agreement will enable us to provide an end-to-end automation solution from design and technical support through to aftersales service that is market leading in the UK."

Mike Cairns, Divisional Director of Mitsubishi Electric's Automation System Division in the UK, comments: "This agreement is about more than bringing another distributor onboard. Our strategy is to develop incremental business for both partners by increasing market reach and penetration.

"There are strong synergies between the two companies with Kempston Controls adding a further dimension to our channel strategy and will have a very strategic role in the development of Mitsubishi Electric's portfolio of automation solutions in the UK market.

"Most importantly, our sales and technical teams will work closely together, with the Kempston Controls team focused on market serve and our own Mitsubishi Electric team focused on market creation - all for the benefit of the end-user."

Hartmut Putz, President, Factory Automation EMEA, Mitsubishi Electric, says the agreement is part of a long-term strategy. "Mitsubishi Electric's Automation Systems Division is on a journey to increase its market share in Europe. In the UK, we are transitioning from being a stable business to a growth business, moving away from being a product-focused company to a solutions provider, focused on select market segments. Kempston Controls has a very complementary approach with a multi-level service capability that mirrors our own approach to the market."