To build market share in metering equipment for the three-phase segment of the power-quality market, Fluke Corp., Everett, Wash., has acquired Los Gatos, Calif.-based Reliable Power Meters (RPM) for an undisclosed price.
Fluke is acquiring all of RPM, including its international, Asian and European operations. Besides its headquarters in Los Gatos, RPM has U.S. sales offices in Rochester, N.Y., and Chicago. Fluke plans to integrate RPM's product line into its Electrical Products organization, but sell RPM's products under the RPM name brand.
The sale of RPM, a manufacturer of power-quality monitoring and analysis technology, was finalized on April 15. As a privately held company, RPM's financial and employment information is not available.
“Fluke has been active in the power-quality market for many years,” said Jim Lico, president of Fluke. “But to this point, our products have been designed solely for single-phase applications. The acquisition of RPM positions us well into the three-phase segment of the power-quality market.”
Founded in 1992 by a group of industry veterans, RPM products allow customers to monitor and analyze power flow and quality. This provides data that can be used to point out existing problems and identify potential future problems before they occur. RPM's products are used in utility, industrial and commercial markets. Its customer base includes companies such as American Express, Fidelity Investments, America Online and EDS Corp.
RPM President Robert Moore, a company founder, said the companies' product lines are complementary, and that RPM has been selling a Fluke handheld power quality analyzer for several years.
Moore will continue as the organization's president through June, after which he will be on an extended consulting contract to facilitate the organization's transition into Fluke. No immediate changes are planned for RPM's network of sales, service and technical support services. RPM products will continue to be marketed and sold out of the RPM office in Los Gatos.
“RPM products are sold through sales representatives,” said Larry Wilson, a Fluke spokesperson. “Their customer base is distinct from Fluke's, providing us a great opportunity to expand our reach. There are no plans to make changes to that sales channel. We are looking forward to working with the channel to get to know RPM customers and determine how we can best serve their needs now and in the future.”