Cressall tops resistor league after Eaton deal

The Halma Group, which owns Cressall Resistors, has bought Cutler Hammer`s resistor business from the Eaton Corporation for $7.7m.

Following the deal, Leicester-based Cressall will take over Cutler Hammer`s UK resistor business and its manufacturing facilities at Melton Constable, Norfolk, to form a business called Cressall Transit.

"This acquisition makes us the largest British power resistor manufacturer," claims Cressall director Peter Duncan. The Cutler Hammer operation makes power resistors for use in electrical controls and transportation applications, and is particularly strong in areas such as railways, cranes and steel mills.

Its sales last year were worth over $10m. "This acquisition brings important new technology and customer penetration in the areas of locomotive braking resistors and light transit braking resistors," says Halma chief executive Stephen O`Shea. The acquisition follows Halma`s earlier purchase of Mosebach.