ECS opens transformer manufacturing facility

May 12, 2017

According to the makers of the transformers, umeme will have no excuse for delays in replacing spoiled ones as has been the case where power consumers have to wait for days before new transformers are imported

By Owen Wagabaza

After years of trading in Power Distribution Transformers, Electrical Controls & Switchgear Ltd (ECS) will this week launch a transformer manufacturing facility.

The company which started with manufacturing low voltage Switchgears 30 years ago, has grown over the years and is now venturing into distribution transformer manufacturing and eventually into Medium Voltage range.

"We have looked at the Government projections on economic development and we strongly believe that the energy sector is one of the key drivers of the economy and electricity is one of the things that we have to give priority," says Eng.

James Kalibbala, the chairman and managing director of ECS on his decision to start a transformer manufacturing facility.

Kalibbala says Uganda is currently producing more electricity than the country can consume and this is because of the low levels of power distribution in the country.

n engineer shows some of  finished products at the factoryAn engineer shows some of ECS finished products at the factory

 

He says since we do not maximally use our electricity, there is a lot of surplus energy.

"We realised that if power is to reach the rural areas, it must go through a distribution network and a transformer is one of the key elements in this distribution network," Kalibbala says.

The $2.5m facility which took three years to construct is expected to produce high quality transformers.

One of the most complicated part in transformer manufacturing is the corrugated tank making, but the company mastered and excelled in metal works and fabrication for many years which ensures the robustness, quality and fine finish of the tank and radiators of the transformer.

The complete inhouse manufacturing process will help ECS to ensure optimum quality of the transformer.

The company is equipped with a complete testing facility to test and check all major incoming raw-materials used in manufacturing the transformer.

The increasing urban power demand for industries and commercial buildings and the demand created by the government through the rural electrification programme are expected to provide the muchneeded market for the young industry.

"We have three cluster groups that we expect to provide market to our transformers; these are Umeme, Rural Electrification Agency which reaches the ground through contractors as well as the Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Ltd," Kalibbala says. CLICK HERE FOR MORE ON THIS STORY

 

We need strong regulations to fight counterfeit products

Electrical Controls and Switchgear Ltd (ECS) is celebrating 30 years of existence while at the same time launching a transformer factory. Owen Wagabaza spoke to James Kalibbala, the firm's chairman and managing director and below are the excerpts

What inspired you to venture into electrical equipment manufacturing?

It was my profession. At that time, I wanted to be self-employed and the best thing to do was to venture into a business where I had strength and passion. My passion has always been with electronics. But also, I had realised there was market for electrical products yet there were no players to fill the gap.

How was the industry like 30 years ago?

There was scarcity of everything. However, the market was very quality conscious unlike today. There were rules, regulations and specifications which were adhered to. On the side of entrepreneurship though, there was not much competition, it was a virgin industry. But again, getting financing to start was a hurdle, it was not easy to get loans from banks and this made the beginnings quite hard.

he  manufacturing workshop in awempe ula hotos by wen agabazaThe ECS manufacturing workshop in Kawempe Tula. Photos by Owen Wagabaza

 

Businesses in Uganda rarely celebrate their first birthday, what has helped you to stay in business for this long?

I think the biggest reason Electrical Control and Switchgear has survived for this long is because engineering is not only my profession, but something I am passionate about. I ventured into something I knew and understood very well. But also, in a business like this, profits come years later and I was patient enough, a virtue that is rare these days, especially among the youth. The biggest reason businesses are failing is because they are not patient enough and they venture into areas they know so little about. Lastly, I was lucky and blessed. there are so many people who work hard like me, but fail. I thank my God for the blessings. 

What lessons have you learnt over the years?

Patience pays, the beginnings were not easy. We did not have enough financing to run the business, but we stuck in there and here we are, growing every other day. Another lesson well learnt is that you need to embrace change. It is the only constant in life. And here, it is the ever changing technology. Innovators are coming up with ground-breaking innovations every day, and to compete favourably, you have to read and be at par with the latest technologies. CLICK HERE FOR MORE ON THIS INTERVIEW

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