AuCom Electronics

AuCom Electronics Ltd is a Christchurch-based New Zealand industrial-electronics company focused on equipment for controlling and protecting electric motors and industrial electrical systems. The company was established in 1978 by engineer Mark Empson and entrepreneur Ray Archer. Its initial activities combined high-end audio-amplifier manufacturing with engineering work on energy-saving devices for single-phase and three-phase induction motors. The motor-efficiency work became the foundation of AuCom's later industrial business. The company manufactured energy-saving equipment under licence from the United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), then used the underlying technology to develop commercially viable soft starters. Soft starters regulate the voltage supplied to electric motors during startup, helping reduce inrush current and mechanical stress compared with direct-on-line starting. This product direction moved AuCom from a specialist electronics manufacturer toward a supplier of industrial motor-control systems. Over time, AuCom broadened its range beyond soft starters. Its portfolio came to include low-voltage and medium-voltage soft starters, motor control centres, switchgear, and other industrial-electronics products. The documented low-voltage range includes the EMX4, EMX3, CSXi, CSX, and IMS2 families. Medium-voltage offerings include the MVS, MVX, and MVE families. These products are aimed at industrial and infrastructure applications where motor starting, electrical protection, system reliability, and control of large equipment are important. AuCom developed an international commercial presence through sales offices in New Zealand, Germany, the United States, China, and Dubai. Its distribution network extends to more than 40 distributors in over 80 countries, giving the company a global route to market despite its New Zealand base. The company has also been identified as one of New Zealand's top 50 technology exporters. A major ownership and organizational development occurred on 17 December 2019, when AuCom Electronics Ltd merged with Benshaw Inc. as part of Unico Technologies Group. Unico Technologies Group had been formed after Sun Capital acquired Benshaw and Unico Drives from Regal Beloit Corporation in 2019. Following the combination, AuCom and Benshaw continued operating under their own brand names. AuCom therefore remained a distinct commercial identity while becoming part of a broader group focused on industrial drives and motor-control technologies. The available reference material does not identify a current chief executive, detailed financial results, a standalone public listing, or a current corporate website. AuCom's documented positioning is that of a specialist industrial technology brand serving global markets through direct offices and distributors, with particular expertise in soft-starting and motor-control applications.

AuCom Electronics was founded in Christchurch, New Zealand, in 1978 by engineer Mark Empson and entrepreneur Ray Archer. The original business manufactured high-end stereo amplifiers, but it also pursued engineering projects aimed at reducing energy use in single-phase and three-phase induction motors. The energy-efficiency work became central to the company's later identity. AuCom manufactured energy-saving devices under licence from NASA and built on that technology to create a commercially viable range of soft starters. Soft starters are used to manage the electrical and mechanical conditions associated with motor startup, providing an alternative to harsher direct starting methods. This development established AuCom in industrial electronics rather than limiting it to its original audio business. The company subsequently expanded its industrial portfolio. In addition to low-voltage and medium-voltage soft starters, AuCom developed or supplied motor control centres, switchgear, and other motor-control equipment. Its named product families include the low-voltage EMX4, EMX3, CSXi, CSX, and IMS2 ranges, together with the medium-voltage MVS, MVX, and MVE ranges. AuCom's commercial reach grew beyond New Zealand through sales offices in New Zealand, Germany, the United States, China, and Dubai. The company also established a network of more than 40 distributors serving over 80 countries. This international structure supported its position as an exporter of industrial technology; the company has been described as one of New Zealand's top 50 technology exporters. On 17 December 2019, AuCom Electronics Ltd merged with Benshaw Inc. as part of Unico Technologies Group. The group was formed after Sun Capital acquired Benshaw and Unico Drives from Regal Beloit Corporation in 2019. The post-merger structure retained AuCom and Benshaw as separate operating brands. Available reference material does not provide further detail on subsequent leadership, financial performance, or product-generation changes.

• 2019

  AuCom joined Unico Technologies Group through merger with Benshaw

  [1]AuCom Electronicsen.wikipedia.org

  On 17 December 2019, AuCom Electronics Ltd merged with Benshaw Inc. Both brands continued operating under their own names within Unico Technologies Group.

• 1978

  AuCom Electronics established

  [1]AuCom Electronicsen.wikipedia.org

  Mark Empson and Ray Archer founded AuCom Electronics in Christchurch, New Zealand, initially combining high-end stereo-amplifier manufacturing with induction-motor energy-efficiency engineering.

• NASA-licensed energy-saving technology adapted for commercial soft starters

  [1]AuCom Electronicsen.wikipedia.org

  AuCom manufactured energy-saving devices under NASA licence and developed the technology into a commercial soft-starter product category.

A specialist global supplier of industrial motor-control and electrical-control equipment, combining New Zealand engineering heritage with international sales offices and distributor coverage.

• Low-voltage soft starter

  EMX4

  The EMX4 is identified as part of AuCom's low-voltage soft-starter portfolio. It belongs to the company's main motor-starting product category, designed for industrial applications requiring controlled motor acceleration and reduced startup stress. The available reference material does not specify its ratings, feature set, or launch date.

• Low-voltage soft starter

  EMX3

  The EMX3 is a named AuCom low-voltage soft-starter family. It forms part of the company's industrial motor-control offering for applications in which controlled starting is required. Detailed electrical specifications, application sectors, and introduction date are not provided in the available source material.

• Low-voltage soft starter

  CSXi

  CSXi is one of AuCom's documented low-voltage soft-starter product families. Its inclusion in the portfolio reflects the company's focus on managing motor startup in industrial electrical systems. The available reference does not establish detailed technical characteristics, target industries, or current production status.

• Low-voltage soft starter

  CSX

  CSX is a named low-voltage soft-starter range offered by AuCom. It is associated with the company's broader motor-control and industrial-electronics business. No reliable source details are available here concerning ratings, control functions, markets, or product-generation history.

• Low-voltage soft starter

  IMS2

  IMS2 is listed among AuCom's low-voltage soft starters. It represents the company's provision of equipment for controlled motor starting in industrial environments. The supplied reference material names the product but does not provide a technical specification, launch year, or confirmed present availability.

• Medium-voltage soft starter

  MVS

  MVS is identified as an AuCom medium-voltage soft-starter family. It extends the company's motor-starting portfolio into higher-voltage industrial applications. Specific voltage classes, power ratings, industries served, and product chronology are not stated in the available source.

• Medium-voltage soft starter

  MVX

  MVX is one of AuCom's named medium-voltage soft-starter ranges. It is part of the company's industrial electrical-control offering for applications involving larger motors and higher system voltages. The available material does not document detailed specifications or launch information.

• Medium-voltage soft starter

  MVE

  MVE is listed as an AuCom medium-voltage soft-starter family. Like the other medium-voltage ranges, it reflects AuCom's expansion from low-voltage motor control into industrial systems with more demanding electrical requirements. No further product details are supplied by the reference material.

• Industrial electrical equipment

  Motor control centres and switchgear

  AuCom's expanded industrial range includes motor control centres and switchgear in addition to soft starters. These product categories place the company within broader industrial power-distribution and motor-management systems. The available source does not identify individual model numbers or provide detailed specifications.

• 2019

  Merger with Benshaw within Unico Technologies GroupM&A

  Background

  AuCom Electronics Ltd was combined with Benshaw Inc. following the formation of Unico Technologies Group after Sun Capital acquired Benshaw and Unico Drives from Regal Beloit Corporation in 2019.

  Action taken

  The merger took effect on 17 December 2019, while AuCom and Benshaw retained their separate brand identities and continued operating under their own names.

  Aftermath

  AuCom became part of a larger industrial motor-control group while remaining a distinct customer-facing brand.

  Source

• 2019.12.17

  Reported2019.12.17

  Benshaw agrees to acquire Aucom Electronics[2]Benshaw同意收购Aucom Electronicsprnewswire.com

  Benshaw announced that it had finalized an agreement to acquire Aucom Electronics, a New Zealand-based soft-starter manufacturer.

Read more

1. 1AuCom Electronicsen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Benshaw同意收购Aucom Electronicsprnewswire.com