The French specialist in energy management and automation Schneider Electric inaugurated its EcoFit LV Innovation Center China in Shanghai on Sept 2, offering end-to-end services from design and solution development to manufacturing and delivery for low-voltage component retrofits.

Pankaj Sharma, executive vice president of the Secure Power Division at Schneider Electric, noted that numerous industries in China have been developing for decades, creating a growing demand for equipment renewals. This has given rise to a market worth around 5 trillion yuan ($701 billion) annually.

Relying on Schneider Electric's expertise in electrification and digitalization, the innovation center is well poised to unlock this vast market potential. It will address customer pain points such as aging power distribution equipment, frequent device failures, and spare parts shortages, while meeting diverse demands, including intelligent transformation and large-scale equipment renewal.

The center marks the latest milestone in Schneider Electric's "China Hub" strategy in 38 years of strong local presence, reflecting the company's ongoing commitment to R&D excellence and innovation in service systems.

As early as 1995, Schneider Electric built a plant in Shanghai's Kangqiao for the production of low-voltage power distribution components. Today, it has grown into the company's largest air circuit breaker manufacturing base worldwide.

Working in tandem with this plant, the new center will merge Schneider Electric's capabilities in R&D innovation and manufacturing, and provide comprehensive services including on-site inspection, non-standard design, customized supply chain, product life extension, and full-lifecycle management.

Source: Shanghai Observer