# ASCO Power Technologies

ASCO (Automatic Switch Company) Power Technologies, a business unit of Schneider Electric, makes electrical equipment used in healthcare facilities, data centers, communication networks, commercial buildings, and industrial plants.
ASCO also includes a Services branch, providing maintenance programs, modifications, upgrades, and emergency repairs. The "Firetrol" branch of ASCO provides power transfer switches, controls, and alarms for fire suppression. ASCO's headquarters is located in Florham Park, New Jersey. With over 1400 employees and 500,000 square feet of manufacturing floor space, it is the world's largest manufacturer of power transfer switches.
ASCO Power Technologies was founded in 1888 and developed the first commercially available automatic transfer switch in 1920.
On November 1, 2017, ASCO Power Technologies was sold by Vertiv to Schneider Electric for $1.25 billion.

## History

| 1888 | Automatic Switch Company was founded on September 5 of this year in Baltimore, Maryland. Its products were automatic controls for elevators and generators, and pressure controls for pumps and compressors. |
| 1904 | Automatic Switch Company moved to New York City. David H. Darrin was President and the sole owner. The Company under Mr. Darrin's leadership pioneered in the field of electromagnetic design. The mechanically held, electrically operated movement patented by David H. Darrin is still in use. |
| 1938 | Mr. Hurlburt redesigned the mechanically held movement which led to its use in remote control switches and transfer switches. |
| 1957 | During the week beginning January 20, the 575 employees moved to a brand new plant on 30 acres in Florham Park, New Jersey. |
| 1966 | Continued growth required substantial enlargement of the facilities in Florham Park in June of this year. By this time the company employment exceeded 1,000. |
| 1973 | The Company acquired B-K Electrical Products Co., Inc. a manufacturer of electrical control equipment in January. |
| 1979 | The Company established ASCO Services, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary, in February, 1979 located in Florham Park. ASCO Services, Inc provides field repair and maintenance services to ASCO domestic customers who have purchased ASCO electrical control products. Similar field repair and maintenance services are provided to Canadian customers through Ascolectric Ltd. based in Brantford, Canada. |
| 1985 | The Company was acquired by Emerson Electric Company, St. Louis, Missouri on May 17, 1985. |
| 1998 | On January 1, 1998, the Company acquired Firetrol, Inc., Cary, North Carolina, a manufacturer of electric and diesel fire pump controllers, jockey pump controllers and equipment for controlling and monitoring electric and diesel fire pump sprinkler systems. |
| 2006 | On November 1, 2006, ASCO expanded its manufacturing operations to Welcome, NC. |
| 2011 | On October 1, 2011, ASCO obtains management of Liebert Surge Protection. Many of the Surge Protection products are manufactured in Reynosa, MX. |
| 2012 | On March 16, 2012, ASCO acquired Avtron Loadbank, Inc. Cleveland, OH, which includes N. J. Froment, Ltd., Easton-on-the-Hill Stamford, United Kingdom. |
| 2017 | On October 31, 2017, ASCO Power Technologies was acquired by Schneider Electric. |