Crompton Controls gets a new MD - and brings back VSMs

Crompton Controls has new majority shareholder and managing director, Brent Mason, who has bought most of the shares owned by the previous MD, John Bradley. The company has also re-introduced Brook Crompton`s variable speed motor (VSM) into the UK, after a two-year absence, with an exclusive deal to distribute it in the UK and Ireland.

Mason (above), who spent 13 years with Brook Crompton, has had a global development role with Invensys for the past three years. He plans to expand the business.

Bradley, who led the management team that bought Crompton Controls from Invensys in 2001, will retain a part-time business development role with the company. The remainder of the shares in Crompton Controls are owned by other members of the management team. The Wakefield-based company has about 40 employees.

Under the exclusive deal with Brook Crompton, Crompton Controls will sell the variable speed motors, which are now being produced at Brook`s Polish plant, following the closure of its Huddersfield site. The VSMs - which cover ratings from 0.55-7.5kW, two- and four-pole - use Danfoss inverters, even though the Viking VSM joint venture between Danfoss and Brook Crompton is no longer active.

Crompton Controls claims that it will have the most extensive stock of variable speed motors in the UK, and will deliver ex-stock within two working days. Modified versions of the VSMs - such as unusual inverter positions - will be available in three to four days.

Crompton Controls says that the VSMs complement its other products, which range from starters to motor control centres.