Eaton, a global power management firm, has hosted its inaugural West Africa Technology Day to showcase its solutions spanning five industry segments that include oil and gas, data centre and IT, mining, electrical utilities, solar and wind.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Technology Day in Lagos, recently, Charles Iyo, West Africa sales manager, electrical sector, Eaton, said the emergence of Nigeria as an economic power-house required developing innovative technologies to tackle the country’s toughest power management challenges.
To this end, he said Eaton’s vision in Nigeria was to establish itself “as one of the premier power management companies in the region providing customised, innovative solutions that enable our Nigerian and West African customers to use electrical, fluid and mechanical power more reliably, efficiently, safely and sustainably.”
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The guest of honour at the event was Olusola Oworu, commissioner for commerce and industry, Lagos State, who also officially declared the event open, pledging the state government’s support for Eaton, encouraging the power management firm to begin the process of establishing its manufacturing plant in the state.
In her keynote address at the event, Oworu promised to help Eaton open discussions with relevant ministries within the state that would facilitate its involvement in the state’s power assets.
Sustainability and energy-efficiency are vital requirements for the economic viability of businesses around the world. As Nigeria works to continue and accelerate its economic promise, we are pleased to be hosting a premier power solutions provider like Eaton, for the benefit of business and economic development across Nigeria and the West Africa Region,” she said.
The one-day event, which combined an exhibition floor showcasing Eaton’s power management solutions and products, alongside eight technical seminars run by Eaton’s leading experts from Africa and around the globe, also had over 100 customers and partners from the region in attendance.
Representing Eaton at the West Africa Technology Day were several of its most senior leaders in the region including: Kurt McMaken, president, Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA); Frank Campbell, president, electrical sector, EMEA; Shane Kilfoil, managing director, Africa, electrical sector; Yishay Weissman, sales manager, sub-Saharan Africa, Eaton hydraulic sector and Charles Iyo, West Africa sales manager, electrical sector.
The West Africa Technology Day represents another key milestone in Eaton’s 78-year history in Africa. Technology Days are one of the most important platforms Eaton uses to raise market awareness of the company’s extensive power management capabilities and we are delighted to host it here in Lagos where we can showcase our innovative solutions to our customers from Nigeria and Western Africa,” said Kilfoil.
Kilfoil also announced that Eaton will leverage its expertise and capabilities in Africa through its manufacturing facilities in South Africa, Morocco and Tunisia, its extensive distributor network and a dedicated team of 900 employees across the region to support the US Government’s Power Africa initiative in Nigeria as well as in Ghana, Liberia, Kenya, Tanzania and Ethiopia.
Eaton’s Nigeria office opened in Lagos in August 2014. The office serves the needs of Eaton’s customers in Nigeria as well as Western Africa.
OLUSEGUN ABISOYE
