Finnish drives-maker Vacon has formed a joint venture with the Eaton Corporation`s Cutler-Hammer group to manufacture and market low-voltage variable frequency converters in North and South America. The venture builds on an agreement under which Cutler-Hammer has sold Vacon CX frequency converters using the SV9000 brandname for the past two years.

The new business, Vacon Americas, is due to start operating next year from a base near Milwaukee which will include a highly automated manufacturing plant. As well as selling and marketing the drives, the business will provide technical support, develop application software, localise Vacon`s products, and provide logistical support for the Caribbean as well as the Americas.

Veijo Karpinnen, president of Vacon and chairman of the new company, says that the venture "represents another big step in our goal to be a leader in the world-wide frequency converter market". It will improve Vacon`s ability to serve the American market, he adds.

Randy Carson, Cutler-Hammer`s senior vice-president and group executive, says that in the two years since his company started selling Vacon-made VSDs, the drives have established a significant position in the North American market and have been well received by customers. "This joint venture cements that relationship and provides new opportunities for serving our customers more efficiently," he says.

Jerry Whitaker, vice-president of Cutler Hammer`s Power and Control Systems operation, adds that the new venture will allow his company to expand its frequency converter business and to reach customers and markets, including OEM customers, not reached at present.

Vacon, founded in 1993, claims to be one of the world`s fastest-growing drives makers. It now has more than 200 employees and last year notched up sales of $46.9m.

In the UK, Vacon has formed a partnership with ACP&D under which the latter will supply Vacon`s CX drives in the range 1.5kW-1.5MW.