US DC motor-maker sets up in Europe

US DC motor manufacturer Pittman has set up a European sales organisation based in Bournemouth, with John McKay as its first director for European sales. McKay`s experience includes almost a decade with a Swiss motor manufacturer and five years with a Dutch motor maker.

The company is also strengthening its distribution networks in each European country and will offer 24-hour or same-day shipments for many of its standard motors.

"Local knowledge is essential if we are to grow our business quickly, but we must also be in control of our destiny - hence, our new beginning in Europe," McKay explains. "We cannot rely solely on others to help us grow."

Pittman, part of the PennEngineering group, produces brushed and brushless DC standard and geared motors, including versions with encoders and built-in drive electronics. Items from its range can be seen on the company`s stand at the Drives & Controls Show in Birmingham this month.

Products being launched at the show include a range of brushed DC motors and geared motors with a skewed armature and bonded rare-earth magnets, said to achieve more power and smoother speed than most other DC motors of a similar size.