Just received a press release from Schneider Electric announcing that it is opening up its entire Square D distribution channel for sales of its Telemechanique line of programmable controllers. The PLCs are also known as Modicon in North America and Germany.
Some of you know that I once worked in the electrical and automation distribution channel. I had much respect for the Modicon distributors that I knew. The Square D channel was huge. Whereas Rockwell Automation would have one distributor to an area and Modicon would have one per a larger area, there could be several Square D distributors in the same city. Almost all of their sales were for construction, though. Since I specialized in factory automation, our paths seldom crossed.
This release states, "In response to growing customer demand for automation products outside traditional industrial applications, Schneider Electric will now supply Telemecanique programmable logic controllers (PLCs) and other related products through its entire Square D distribution channel." The stated reason is that PLCs have broader application than industrial automation-and they are correct. A friend of mine was doing building automation with Modicon PLCs in the mid-'80s. After some experience with the building automation system at a new building at my church when I was head of trustees in the mid-90s, I wish more companies had used them instead of proprietary little black boxes that were extremely hard to troubleshoot.
One interesting thing to watch is whether this move further increases price pressure on lower end PLCs. Also, one of Square D's channel partners is Grainger-which is strong in catalog and Web sales. Will this move create a potential rival to AutomationDirect?
Another thing to watch is Schneider Electric branding. The press release names the brand both Telemecanique and Modicon. My suggestion-they'd better start a brand awareness campaign, soon, and settle on one brand name.
12:33:46 PM 
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