A Web site set up by Rockwell Automation in the US to sell power transmission products, including motors and drives, notched up sales of more than $1m in its first two weeks. Over 800 orders were taken in the fortnight after PTplace.com was launched.

The site, selling Dodge mechanical power transmission products and Reliance Electric motors and drives, is targeting a market estimated to be worth $30bn globally. Users can check technical and pricing data, and track their orders online.

A separate Rockwell e-commerce venture, SourceAlliance.com which targets the electrical sector, is now said to be offering more than a million different products from over 300 suppliers including Siemens, Emerson, and Cutler-Hammer.

Rockwell established SourceAlliance last year as an independent company offering an open marketplace for the $300bn worldwide electrical equipment business. In March this year, other investors pumped a further $25m into the project.