SA electronics suppliers join forces

Adelaide-based Tytronics and Tekelek have merged their businesses in an attempt to become a major competitor in the specialist electronics service sector.

The two companies have combined their design and manufacturing operations in a move designed to give the amalgamated business critical mass to pursue new markets locally and overseas. Tekelek was a producer of advanced electronic controls for air conditioners and heaters, supplying industries such as Carrier, Honeywell,Climate Technologies and Seeley International.

Tytronics was also involved in the HVAC market and is a global leader in electronic gas ignition systems, with wide experience in contract manufacturing and supply services.

Former Tekelek general manager Phil Court-Kowalski has been appointed chief executive officer of the expanded business, which will trade under the name Tytronics.

"It is the ideal marriage as there are obvious synergies between the companies," Court-Kowalski said. "The merger significantly increases our design and development resources as well as providing an expanded manufacturing capability."

Tytronics has just completed a major refurbishment of its manufacturing plant at Hendon, Adelaide, and inherits Tekelek's contract assembly network in Asia. Court-Kowalski said the merger would also add another dimension to the new Tekstream services division, which was launched by Tekelek last year to provide manufacturers with a specialist electronic design and production service.