2023

A step forward in the realm of smart grid infrastructure.

APODACA, MEXICO – October 16, 2023 – Innovator in intelligent utility infrastructure, Ubicquia, has teamed up with Prolec, transformer solutions manufacturer leader in the Americas, to build the industry’s first fully integrated smart transformer. The new transformers deliver real-time monitoring and grid analytics. Units have begun shipping to North American utilities for field trials.

The companies collaborated to integrate Ubicquia’s UbiGrid™ distribution transformer monitoring (DTM+) platform into Prolec’s single-phase pad mount transformers across a wide range of sizes. The integration, testing and certification is performed in Prolec’s Monterrey, Mexico facility, one of the largest distribution transformer manufacturing facilities in North America.

The UbiGrid DTM+ platform is the first distribution transformer monitoring platform providing real-time electrical and physical transformer health data along with advanced grid analytics deployed at scale. Ubicquia has delivered more than 30,000 units to monitor single-phase and three phase transformers to major utilities across the US and Latin America. Prolec customers can now receive transformers pre-equipped with the intelligence needed for proactive transformer, grid, and supply chain intelligence. By integrating the UbiGrid DTM+ platform into its transformers, Prolec eliminates the need for utilities to retrofit units in the field and reduces the total cost for a smart transformer.

The initial use cases for the intelligent transformer include:

• Predicting transformer outages to improve reliability;
• Detecting and diagnosing issues with failed assets to optimize field resources and improve storm response;
• Improving capacity planning, which has become more complex with the astronomical growth in electric vehicles, supply chain constraints, and distributed energy generation; and
• Providing additional resilience for industrial and critical loads.

Commercial availability of the intelligent transformer is planned for 2024.

“This is a significant step forward in the evolution of transformers,” said Ricardo Suarez, CEO of Prolec. “We are thrilled to partner with Ubicquia and shape the future of smart energy.”

“Our partnership with Prolec is a vision coming to life. By delivering smart transformers, from the factory at scale, we are enabling a new age of grid analytics, and we are just getting started,” said Ian Aaron, CEO of Ubicquia.

About Prolec

Internationally recognized for quality manufacturing and reliable performance for over 50 years, Prolec is an electric industry leader in the Americas with four business units—Prolec GE, Prolec Celeco, Prolec Energy Solutions and Prolec Labs—and six manufacturing facilities strategically located in Mexico, the United States, and Brazil. Our broad transformer services offering in the U.S. as well as our wide variety of transformer components complement Prolec’s full line of transformer solutions for the generation, transmission, and distribution of electrical energy for utilities, co-ops, municipalities, renewable project developers and original equipment manufacturers. As a leading supplier of critical infrastructure, Prolec embraces its commitment to providing an exceptional customer experience, superior quality products, comprehensive solutions and on-time deliveries while actively developing innovative, responsible, and sustainable solutions to solve the industry’s challenges. To learn more, visit www.prolec.energy or follow us on LinkedIn.

About Ubicquia

Ubicquia’s intelligent infrastructure platforms install in minutes and make the world smarter, safer, and more connected. Our smart grid products attach to existing distribution transformers in minutes, providing predictive analytics that make the grid more resilient. Our smart city solutions simply plug into the photocell sockets of 360 million compatible streetlights to reduce energy consumptions, enhance public safety, and lower operations and maintenance costs. Our communication platforms use existing streetlights to expand public broadband and help mobile operators accelerate their 5G and FWA deployments. Ubicquia® products are deployed by more than 700 customers that include the largest cities, utilities, and mobile operators across North America. To learn more visit www.ubicquia.com or follow us on LinkedIn.

Contact Information:
Tammy Behrens
Director, Marketing, Communications and Branding
tammy.behrens@prolec.energy
O: (262) 513-5401
M: (414) 839-8028

• Prolec GE plans to double its single-phase pad-mount transformer manufacturing capacity with new facility.
• Recent Prolec GE investments in support of the company’s North American customer base exceed $145 million US.
• Today’s announcement reinforces Prolec GE’s commitment to being a strategic partner in the journey toward a sustainable energy future.
  Prolec GE Single Phase Pad Mount Transformer

Monterrey, N.L., Mexico, December 13, 2023 – Global energy infrastructure leader, Prolec GE, a Prolec subsidiary of a joint venture between GE and Xignux, a Mexico-based private company, today announced additional manufacturing investments of $85 million to meet unprecedented North American demand for single-phase pad-mount transformers. Prolec GE will increase its manufacturing capacity in Monterrey by equipping a new facility capable of annually duplicating the number of transformers produced at its existing Mexico facility. The company will also take this opportunity to incorporate state-of-the-art manufacturing technology to increase productivity and improve ergonomics in key areas throughout the new plant.

“We are thrilled to be investing additional time and money to increase our manufacturing capacity in support of North America’s electrification goals. With the majority of this new capacity being allocated to U.S. utility customers, Prolec GE is proud to provide the critical equipment needed to improve grid resiliency, efficiency, and reliability,” said Prolec GE CEO, Ricardo Suarez. “This investment reinforces our commitment to being a strategic partner in the journey toward a sustainable energy future.”

To capitalize on production and supply chain synergies, Prolec GE’s new facility will be located less than one mile from the company’s existing location. Construction of the new plant will begin in 2024, with project completion scheduled for June 2025.

This latest Prolec GE announcement raises the company’s investment commitment to its North American customers to more than $145 million. Earlier this year, Prolec GE publicized plans to manufacture three-phase pad-mount transformers in the U.S. for its renewable energy and industrial customers by adding a production line to the company’s 500,000 square foot facility in Shreveport, Louisiana. The site will undergo additional infrastructure upgrades to accommodate capacity increases for its traditional voltage regulator and network transformer customers. Prolec GE is also investing in power transformer process improvements to increase throughput and decrease manufacturing cycle times.

About Prolec GE
Prolec GE is a joint venture between Xignux and GE, internationally recognized for quality manufacturing and reliable performance for over 25 years. The company is an electric industry leader in the Americas with six manufacturing facilities strategically located in Mexico, the United States, and Brazil and an installed product base in more than 35 countries. Its broad power transformer services offering in the U.S., as well as its wide variety of high voltage transformer components, complement Prolec GE’s full line of transformer solutions for the generation, transmission, and distribution of electrical energy for utilities, co-ops, municipalities, renewable project developers and original equipment manufacturers.

As a leading supplier in the industry, Prolec GE embraces its commitment to providing an exceptional customer experience, superior quality products, comprehensive solutions and on-time deliveries while actively developing innovative, responsible, and sustainable solutions to solve the industry’s challenges. www.prolec.energy/prolecge

About Xignux
Xignux is a leader in the energy and food industries. Based in Monterrey, Mexico, we manage a variety of companies that energize life and society to contribute to a better world, thanks to the hard work and talent of more than 30,000 employees in Mexico, the United States, and Brazil.

In the energy industry, Viakable offers electrical conductors, and Prolec specializes in energy transformation and delivery. In the food sector, Qualtia provides a wide portfolio of cheeses, cold cuts, meats, and food service, while BYDSA produces savory snacks. Through its Social Responsibility model and the Xignux Foundation, the company also contributes to society´s sustainable development with active participation in four priority areas: energy, nutrition, education, and community development.

Xignux was founded 67 years ago and the solutions from its companies reach more than 35 countries. Learn more about us at www.xignux.com.

About GE
GE (NYSE:GE) rises to the challenge of building a world that works. For more than 125 years, GE has invented the future of industry, and today the company’s dedicated team, leading technology, and global reach and capabilities help the world work more efficiently, reliably, and safely. GE’s people are diverse and dedicated, operating with the highest level of integrity and focus to fulfill GE’s mission and deliver for its customers. www.ge.com

Contact Information:
Tammy Behrens
Director, Marketing, Communications and Branding
tammy.behrens@prolec.energy
O: (262) 513-5401

PROLEC-GE WAUKESHA, INC.
Headquarters – 400 S. Prairie Ave
Waukesha, WI 53186
800-835-2732

$28.5 million investment addresses growing renewable energy demand by increasing transformer production capacity in northwest Louisiana

SHREVEPORT, La. – Prolec GE USA, a joint venture between Xignux and General Electric, will invest up to $28.5 million to expand its Caddo Parish facility to manufacture electrical transformers used in wind farms, solar parks and other industrial and renewable energy applications. An estimated $19.7 million of the total investment will go toward the acquisition of new equipment and the installation of a third production line, with the remainder going toward upgrades to the existing site and infrastructure.

The company expects to create 153 new direct jobs including machine operators, maintenance personnel, supervisors and engineers, while retaining 282 current positions. Louisiana Economic Development estimates the project will result in an additional 162 new indirect jobs, for a total of 315 new jobs in the Northwest Region.

“I applaud Prolec GE for recognizing the business growth opportunity presented by the shift to cleaner fuel sources, and thank them for choosing Louisiana to serve those new and growing energy producers,” Gov. John Bel Edwards said. “This expansion will grow the northwest Louisiana economy and create more than 300 new job opportunities for our state’s highly skilled and capable manufacturing workforce. Our state is positioned to lead the way as America and the world transition to cleaner energy.”

Prolec GE designs, manufactures and sells products and solutions for electricity generation, transmission and distribution. As North America’s largest transformer producer, the company services a variety of industries including construction, engineering, and conventional and renewable energy.

The additional production capacity in Shreveport will help ease transformer supply chain concerns in the U.S. as Prolec GE looks to position itself for future growth.

“The hardworking and dedicated people of Louisiana were the main driver behind our decision to invest in our Shreveport operations,” Prolec GE Business Unit Director Sergio Eduardo Fernandez said. “We look forward to the continued success of the business and the betterment of our community.”

Improvements to the company’s 500,000 square foot facility began earlier this year with cleaning and demolition work. Prolec GE expects construction on the new line to get underway in June with a target completion date of March 2024 and full production capacity by June 2024.

“Shreveport has a long and exemplary history of industrial and manufacturing dedicated employees,” Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux said. “We are extremely excited about Prolec GE’s $28.5 million capital investment and the jobs it will bring to Shreveport and Caddo Parish. This is another opportunity when existing companies are willing to reinvest in the local community and help grow our workforce. We are fortunate to have Prolec GE expand its physical, capital and employment footprint in Shreveport.”

To secure the project, the state of Louisiana offered Prolec GE a competitive incentives package that includes the comprehensive workforce solutions of LED FastStart as well as a performance-based award of $500,000 for construction, equipment and implementation of the new product line. The company is also expected to apply for the state’s Industrial Tax Exemption and Quality Jobs programs.

“Our existing industry in north Louisiana continues to make a significant impact on the community, and Prolec GE’s new job creation is a substantial contribution to it,” North Louisiana Economic Partnership president & CEO Justyn Dixon said. “This additional investment in Caddo Parish is a testament to north Louisiana’s steadfast workforce and strong business climate. We congratulate the team at Prolec GE and are proud to have them a part of north Louisiana’s ecosystem.”

Register to be notified about job opportunities, hiring events and news updates with Prolec GE here.

About Prolec GE
Prolec GE designs, manufactures and provides transformer products, services and innovative solutions for the generation, transmission and distribution of electrical energy. With more than 50 years of industry experience, the company is a market leader in the Americas, with business units in Mexico, the United States and Brazil; an installed product base in over 35 countries and more than 8,000 employees. Learn more at prolec.energy

About LED
Louisiana Economic Development is responsible for strengthening the state’s business environment and creating a more vibrant economy. It is the only state agency in the U.S. accredited by the International Economic Development Council, boasting award-winning programs like LED FastStart, rated the No. 1 customized workforce training program in the U.S. 13 years in a row. In 2022, LED attracted 53 new economic development projects representing 18,137 new direct, indirect and retained jobs and $20.7 billion in new capital investment. Explore how LED cultivates jobs and economic opportunity for the people of Louisiana and employers of all sizes at OpportunityLouisiana.com.