A few quick facts about the impact of this acquisition:

1) SNC Lavalin’s ECS business has dozens of large control systems installations in world regions that will now be more receptive to GE Energy solutions including strenthening the company’s visibility in China, Egypt and parts of Latin America.

2) History: SNC-Lavalin Energy Control Systems, until today a member of SNC-Lavalin Transmission & Distribution, had been a wholly owned subsidiary of the SNC-Lavalin Group specializing in the design, supply, installation, and commissioning of its GENe state-of-the-art real-time control systems. The GENe product portfolio includes Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA), Distribution Management Systems (DMS), Energy Management Systems (EMS) and Generation Management Systems (GMS).

3) Turnkey Solutions Provider: The ECS business unit provides complete turnkey solutions to the utility sector including consulting, feasibility studies, design, infrastructure construction, real-time control systems, telecommunications, remote terminal units, distribution automation, substation automation, training and technology transfer.

4) Successes: This new unit of GE Energy has been supplying SCADA, DMS, EMS and GMS real-time control systems to the power sector for over 40 years, with systems installed in six continents. Based on an open, distributed architecture, these mission-critical systems are helping utilities manage generating stations, high-voltage transmission networks, as well as medium and low voltage distribution networks. GENe helps utilities meet the challenges of Smart Grid, energy savings, demand response and overall improvement of operational efficiency. In 2007 SNC-Lavalin ECS had acquired DTI TELECOM, an engineering firm specializing in telecommunications and security, thus providing additional expertise to its clients.

With its extensive experience in managing large and complex projects, as well as its solutions-oriented approach, its multicultural team, and its flexibility, SNC-Lavalin Energy Control Systems has been able to offer global solutions for small, medium, or large projects and to quickly adapt to changing market needs. Under GE Energy’s wing, the business opportunities for the company will surely expand.

5) Open Architecture: SNC-Lavalin’s GENe products are based on an open system architecture and are designed to internationally recognized standards. The system architecture is fully redundant for mission-critical high availability, and provides high performance real-time graphics. GENe products support the IEC 61970 and 61968 CIM standards and the NERC/FERC standards for cyber security.

The GENe SCADA supports a wide range of industry-standard and legacy protocols, including DNP3, IEC-60870-5-101/104, Telegyr, Conitel, Modbus, TASE.2 ICCP, ELCOM-90. It is fully integrated with the GENe DMS, EMS and GMS products for real-time network analysis, and can be deployed in substation automation and pipeline management projects.

The GENe DMS product provides utilities with a comprehensive suite of applications and tools for efficient, reliable, and cost-effective management of distribution networks, including Fault Detection, Isolation, and System Restoration, Volt/VAR Control, Outage Management and Intelligent Switching Management. Its sophisticated network model supports three-phase unbalanced distribution networks. The DMS product provides its GIS Gateway for initial population and online incremental updates of the network model and operating displays. The DMS applications are fully integrated with the GENe SCADA and EMS products and use a common real-time database, so analyses and recommendations are based on the real-time state of the network. Smart Grid applications of the GENe DMS product are already being used by several customers around the world. SNC-Lavalin continually invests in the development of the GENe product to further its advancement in Smart Grid technology.

The GENe EMS and GMS products include a full suite of generation management and transmission network security analysis applications that use state-of-the-art algorithms. Based on the Nexant SCOPE engine, the EMS applications are fully integrated with the other GENe products and use a common real-time database. As a result, the displays used for real-time SCADA operations can also be used to display network security analysis results. GENe EMS applications include State Estimator, Dispatcher Power Flow, Outage Scheduling, Pre-switching Validation, Transmission Loss Penalty Factor, Reactive Reserve Monitor, Contingency Analysis, Contingency Remedial Action, Optimal Power Flow, Volt-var Control, Security-constrained Dispatch, and Dispatcher Training Simulator. GENe GMS applications include Load Forecast, Unit Commitment, Automatic Generation Control, Economic Dispatch, Reserve Monitoring, and Production Costing. SNC-Lavalin continues to invest in the development of the GENe EMS product to provide additio nal functionalities for the EMS market.

6) Significant SNC-Lavalin Key Customers include: Hydro-Québec (Canada), NSTAR Electric & Gas (USA), Public Service Electric & Gas (USA) , Provincial Electricity Authority of Thailand, Powerlink Queensland (Australia) , Taiwan Power Company (Taiwan), Sichuan Electric Power Company (China), Alinta (Australia), Energex (Australia), Elektro Slovenija (Slovenia), Elektro Maribor (Slovenia), Elektro Gorenjska (Slovenia), EDELCA (Venezuela), Hebei Electric Power Company (China), Canal Company for Elec. Dist. (Egypt), Alexandria Electricity Dist. Co. (Egypt), Hydro Mississauga (Canada) , and Electriricidad de Caracas (Venezuela).

More to follow.

Substation Automation Study. This study is revving up to get underway with client inputs and reviews of the survey questions. The new survey will be fielded worldwide in late July through August. We again hope to obtain participation from about one half of significant world electric power utilities.

Global Electric Utility CAPEX Report: Completed in the first quarter of 2010, this report has been quoted in business publications and used in briefings by some of the very large management consulting firms around the world. The formal title is Global CAPEX and O&M Expenditure Outlook for Electric Power Transmission and Distribution Investments: 2010-2011 – Funding Outlook for Smart Grid Development.

Smart Grid Investments: This U.S. market study has found that there are many non-stimulus funded (e.g., non-ARRA) smart grid projects planned or already underway among the electric power utilities of the nation. The formal title is Smart Grid Projects 2010: Stimulus-backed and Independently Funded Smart Grid Projects to be Underway in 2010 or Later.

Distribution Automation: The April 2010 release of our compilation of existing research together with a 10 year outlook for DA has met with solidly positive reviews by report purchasers. The report is entitled: Distribution Automation: Trends, Developments and Retrospectives: 2007-2018.

Client Engagements during January-June 2010:

Topical studies have been completed, or are underway, on a number of key components of the smart grid. Here are a few highlights:

A recently completed study of high-voltage substation construction study has found that a majority of plans are continuing to be acted upon, or have funding over the near-term but mid-term and longer range plans have yet to be approved for funding.

A client study on communications infrastructure requirements for the emerging distribution automation market in North America suggested that customer density and feeder automation devices will play a role in communications technology selection. It appears that no single approach is capable of meeting all operational requirements for a DA deployment and a “mix” selection of data communications technologies is likely to be a more effective and reliable (though somewhat more costly) solution for most large urban utilities.

Technology Transfer for Smart Grid: This ongoing client study of the role for large, complex command and control systems technology in smart grid development is piquing interest among federal, regional and state level electric power reliability organizations. Such a system can greatly improve situational understanding for the reliability, security and safety of the tiered bulk power systems. The technology available from this client today can readily be adapted to bring situational awareness to the next (higher) level of overall electric power grid oversight, monitoring and management, be that at the state, regional or national level.

In line Grid Monitoring – There has been an upsurge in R&D, testing/piloting and commercializing a new generation of sensor-based approaches to perform remote monitoring for both HV and MV power lines and distribution feeders. In-line clamp-on installations (as opposed to pole-top) installations are among the approaches being evaluated by our firm for some unique, entrepreneurial companies, relying on Newton-Evans’ research findings for guidance.

Newton-Evans Research Company has been blessed this year with many new customers for its reports, with sales completed to more than 40 first-time report purchasers during the first six months of 2010. We are approaching a combined total of 75 business clients and report purchasers to date this year, our 32^nd year of conducting real-world, full-scale marketing research for the energy industry, with most of that effort applied to the global electric power industry. Look for our third quarter 2010 edition of the highly regarded Newton-Evans Research periodical, Market Trends Digest, to be available soon. There is a virtual treasure trove of marketing research highlights in the archives of earlier editions of the digest available on our web site.

All in all, these are very interesting and important developments that may help drive decisions among North American utility planning staffs to get moving with procurements for a new generation of “smarter” large power transformers to replace the aging fleet of some 50,000 large power transformers now more than 25 years old, and with a good percentage approaching 40 years of service.

Possible Acquisitions: Rumors have reached Newton-Evans about potential acquisition discussions between two giants (one a mega-giant) in the North American electric power T&D equipment and grid automation business. Could be a lot of industry excitement if this actually develops beyond the “whispers” heard recently.

Smart Grid Initiatives – Funding

• Most utilities plan to proceed with self-funded approaches to smart grid initiatives. Nearly 80% indicated that they would be making some effort over the next 24-36 months on funding smart grid initiatives.

Control Systems Upgrades and Replacements

• Several upgrades and system replacements are being planned for EMS (23%) and for SCADA (29%) during the 2010-2012 periods.

Separation or Integration of Outage Management Systems from SCADA Systems

• The majority (56%) of “early respondent” utilities reported having implemented OMS as a separate system and an additional eight percent plan to separate OMS from SCADA. This is a change from several years of earlier questioning on this topic.

Separate Generation Management System versus Automatic Generator Control (AGC)

• For the majority of responding utilities (many of which no longer are vertically integrated), generation management systems (GMS) do not apply. AGC signaling from SCADA is sufficient for the majority of utilities (about one-third) that do own/operate or communicate directly with electric power production facilities. Eleven percent cited use of a separate GMS.

Combining Platforms for Control Systems

• About one-third of the early respondents have an interest in combining EMS and DMS on a common platform. More than 40% expressed an interest in combining DMS with OMS on a common platform.
  • However, more than one half indicated that they do have cyber security concerns when EMS/DMS or DMS/OMS are combined on a single platform.

Linkages Between and Among Control Systems

• Current linkages from the major T&D control systems to other utilities, to historian records systems, backup control centers and plant-level DCS systems are well-established.
  • Future links are being planned with AMI/AMR, MDMS and DA/DMS systems.

Protocol Usage and Plans in North America

• DNP LAN growth has been substantial over the past two years with DNP serial users upgrading rather than migrating to IEC 61850 in North America. Modbus use and plans remain strong as well among North American utilities.
• There has been some (minor) momentum building for including IEC 61850 in about 40% of the TOP 25 utilities. However, beyond that small group, there is no sense of urgency among the more than 3,000 North American utilities to adopt IEC 61850 in the near future.
  • About two-thirds indicated no plans to implement IEC 61850 by 2012, and the remaining one-third indicated they may consider some level of adoption.
  • Reasons for not implementing IEC 61850 revolve around “continuing (successful) use of other protocols” and “minimal awareness” of IEC 61850.

Usage and Plans for Using Third Party Services in the 2010-2012 years:

• About 20% of respondents among this group of 65 utilities indicated a current need for one of more of these services: smart-grid related services; vulnerability assessments; training services; and pre-packaged distribution automation solutions.
• External assistance likely to be requested by 2012 centered on three topics; vulnerability assessments, vulnerability remediation and managed security services.

Key Components of “Smart Grid” Activities

• On the first tier of responses, two topics were ranked as being more important than others. These were: control systems and AMR/AMI.
  • The second tier was comprised of protection and control, outage management systems, substation automation and distribution automation.
  • The third tier included geographic information systems and integrated volt, Var control.

(Updated May 7)

The May 2010 announcement of the ABB acquisition of Atlanta-based Ventyx is likely to serve as a wake-up call to the major competitors of ABB in the electric power T&D and operational smart grid market, primarily the likes of Areva T&D, GE and Siemens. This week’s acquisition puts ABB squarely in the heart of “smart grid” activities – both from an operational perspective, where it has been a global market co-leader, and now set to gain a significant market position in the burgeoning enterprise utility “smart grid” software market, a perspective beyond that of any direct competitor.

ABB will now be in a better position for more smart grid-related opportunities than any other of the IT-centric “smart grid” players, none of whom can compete directly in the operational side of “smart grid” with smart field equipment offerings. Overall, this eases the “shopping/procurement” burdens of utilities. The effect of ABB’s acquisition of perhaps the best available and largest independent energy industry applications software provider positions ABB for a larger role in the hundred-billion dollar-plus market for operational equipment and for energy enterprise software.

Ventyx has grown in recent years through a combination of strong organic growth and especially well-thought-out inorganic growth through its acquisition of market segment leaders in a number of smaller energy applications software areas. In this regard, the company’s roadmap to marketplace success has been similar in many respects to that of Quanta Services. Both companies also serve gas energy and telecommunications markets. Both firms (Ventyx and Quanta) have relied on inorganic growth measures to fuel expansions, and both have successfully integrated multiple acquisitions of their own.

For those of us with a history of involvement in the energy industry, just think of the names of firms that are now part of ABB, by virtue of its acquisition of Ventyx. A partial list of historical segment-leading brands that are now part of ABB-Ventyx includes such familiar names as MDSI, Indus, Global Energy, New Energy Associates (once part of Siemens Energy), and the energy trading software recently acquired from Houston-based The Structure Group (that firm’s highly regarded nMarket offering). By virtue of its acquisition of Ventyx, ABB is now a global leader in ETRM (energy trading and risk management), which will enable its Houston-based energy management systems business unit to more effectively compete with its traditional competitors.

The bigger question for the industry is what will be the industry’s reaction to ABB’s acquisition of Ventyx? Will others rush to make their own “enterprise IT” acquisitions? Of the three major competitors, GE Energy is probably the best-positioned with an array of IT offerings to accompany its operational side equipment and automation offerings. However, Siemens and Areva T&D as well as GE have the ability to match almost any utility or ISO/RTO request for proposals related to smart grid initiatives, either directly or with partners or via project-specific teaming arrangements.

Our own assessment of Ventyx in the North American market for applications that Newton-Evans has recently measured indicates that Ventyx is the major (or a leading) participant in the following market segments:

Energy Trading and Risk Management – ETRM (perhaps 20-25%);

Customer Information Systems – CIS (18-22%);

Mobile workforce management (30-33%).

Asset Management software (25-30%).

Power Generation Analytics Solutions: 20-25%

Clearly, Ventyx is also an international leader in each of these markets. Global shares of its offerings are typically above 10% in served segments.

In terms of the size of the total energy market now addressable by ABB, the value has been increased from transmission and distribution to automation and now to enterprise IT. The acquisition adds an incremental 7-10% to the company’s addressable global energy market, totaling annual opportunities well in excess of $200 billion.  In 2009, ABB total revenues exceeded $32 billion (US).

I want to take this opportunity to provide our web site visitors and our Market Trends Digest readers (upcoming spring 2010 edition) with some summary information about what we believe to be one of the country’s most advanced implementations of something akin to what we have been discussing for the past few years as an emerging requirement for the national’s smarter electric grid operations.  The FAA Telecommunications Infrastructure System (or FTI) is perhaps the best example I have seen of a system of effective management tools for nationwide situational awareness and visualization so vital to the daily operation of a communications-centric community as air traffic.  

Recently I had an opportunity to tour the FAA’s Telecommunications Infrastructure control center.  I came away from this “system of systems” quite impressed,  this after visits to perhaps 60-65 major utility and pipeline operations control centers in several countries in the course of my career.  In fact, this particular system is probably the largest (encompassing the entire United States) and without a doubt, one of the more sophisticated and most complex communications control and network management systems in existence. 

 The complex engineering design, development, implementation and operation of the current FTI system is the result of a multi-year partnership between the FAA and Harris Corporation. Harris has been a major participant –albeit relatively little-known outside of its customer base – for decades in providing communications assurance for the world’s space programs and for various related complex communications systems environments for critical public safety, national defense, and space exploration environments.

First, we need to know more about Harris itself, a firm I call the “gem” of the U.S. Space Coast. Harris Corporation is an international communications and information technology company specializing in complex systems integration activities, serving government and commercial markets in more than 150 countries. Headquartered in Melbourne, Florida, the company has approximately $5 billion of annual revenue and more than 15,000 employees — including nearly 7,000 engineers and scientists. Harris is dedicated to developing best-in-class assured communications® products, systems, and services.

Harris, in a nutshell, is a highly capable (but very low-key) and well-regarded company, known around the world to its target markets for unique skills at engineering, construction and operation of hardened wide-range systems and devices designed for difficult (and harsh) communications environments such as outer space and congested inner urban areas. For several years up through the 1990’s, Harris had been a control systems integration specialist serving electric power and transportation SCADA and was a partner with General Electric prior to GE’s acquisition of the Harris control systems business.

So what makes the Harris-managed FTI system so unique and why should the electric power community or other critical infrastructure segment care? I visited the FTI operations center twice recently, and left the site more impressed after each visit. The system, as presently configured, ensures communication integrity, availability, and security for the nation’s commercial aviation activities, under the aegis of the FAA. The FTI center has been in operation for six years now, and remains a vital, leading edge example of what FERC and NERC have been seeking for “situational awareness”, “visualization” and highly assured activity in control centers operated by the nation’s ISO’s and large transmission utilities.

I have this sense that other critical infrastructure segments have similar requirements for communications assurance and situational awareness on a broad scale as well as do members of the electric power community. The FAA has some of the very same concerns for situational awareness, cyber security, and visualization that are now being required of the nation’s electric power industry. Further, segregation of user traffic and management traffic within the network allows integrated situational awareness without compromising operational data.

The technology transferability and application “fit” of the FTI system to the electric power industry seems very good from my vantage point. More information can be made available in order to gain a clearer understanding of the capabilities and advanced features of the system, and convey the transferability of this advanced technology to enable a region wide or nationwide communications management capability.

Below are a few excerpts from a full presentation developed by Harris Corporation for use with officials like many of our readers who are also leaders in the planning, management and operation of the nation’s bulk electric power industry. Simply because of the “assurance” side of the communications network management system involved, we will use discretion and simply state that the work effort, the operational team, the secure aspects of the operations center, all provide a true basis for migration of FTI-like capabilities to the electric power community either at a national or regional level. To do so would provide the kind of sophisticated coordination the industry requires for near and mid-term regional, and even national, electric power communications assurance. Take a quick read of the company’s slides adopted for this article, and you will see the resemblance of what the FAA has required and what the electric power industry should be able to attain.

The architecture behind both the network communications operations control center and the co-located network security operations control center take advantage of 21st century developmental tools and cyber protection methodologies. FTI services four thousand sites and 50,000 users.

Following is a list of nine key critical requirements established for the FAA Telecommunications Infrastructure (FTI) system and operational infrastructure.

• An architecture tailored to mission critical priorities: (“AIC” not “CIA”)
  • (Availability, Integrity, and Confidentiality) instead of (Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability)
• Backbone = .9999971 availability for on-net services
• FAA Certified System of Systems
• Topology Optimization for bandwidth consolidation
• Value-Added Operational Infrastructure
• Trusted Gateway Connections to the Internet
• Network service model partitioned for availability, reliability, and security
• Carrier Diversity (Multiple telecoms carriers, multiple methodologies)

These look quite similar to some of the requirements we now see coming to the fore front in the electric power industry.

In summary, a number of industry analysts concerned with operational security issues such as visualization and situational awareness requirements view the Harris FTI system as the advanced version of an enabling “engine” whose root technology can be modified for other applications. The transferability of this advanced technology platform could enable a region-wide, for an ISO, or nationwide communications management capability for NERC or FERC or DoE.

One last thought on complexity of mission: The FAA web site informs us that there are about 2,000 – 7,000 aircraft in the air over the United States at any given time. Just imagine the sophistication of a system of systems to manage and securely control the flow of voice and data communications to help make the U.S.’ air traffic control system the safest in the world. Now imagine having a system that can help manage and secure voice and data communications to enable the efficient and reliable flow of electricity on the emerging smart grid.

This report has been prepared by the Newton-Evans Research Company to serve as a quick reference guide to the U.S. electric power utility smart grid activities planned and in progress as of the second quarter of 2010. Each of more than 150 projects have been included here, complete with a utility listing, followed by a brief summary of the smart grid program. Where possible, the total budgeted dollar amount for each specific project has been included, and any stimulus funding also noted. These projects have been categorized by our research team into one or more of 11 smart grid-related project categories (as defined by the GRIDWISE Alliance) on a “best-fit” basis.

The report includes a number of utility self-funded smart grid projects as well as those programs receiving ARRA stimulus funding grants from the U.S. Department of Energy.

In addition to the narrative report summaries for each project, the e-report includes an EXCEL spreadsheet of project listings, enabling the interested reader to sort on a variety of categories (i.e. high-to-low funding; project classification, etc.)

The SMART GRID PROJECTS  2010 report, priced at $195.00,  is available for immediate download on our reports page.

Each table includes a summary of key trends, market size estimates and key players active in the North American market. The 21 categories for which the summaries have been prepared include: reclosers, sectionalizers, voltage regulator transformers, capacitor banks, small power (MV) transformers and distribution transformers. Summary tables for electronic recloser controls, voltage regulators, capacitor bank controllers, fault indicators, pole-top and pad-mount RTUs, and DA communications are included.

Rounding out the market data summaries are these: DA software, related engineering services, SCADA, OMS, Network analysis, substation transformer load management, voltage control systems, condition monitoring and fault location.

When all components of distributon automation are evaluated together, the DA-related equipment and services market is now above $750 million in the U.S. and Canada, and more than two billion dollars globally. Much more information is provided in the Newton-Evans study entitled “Distribution Automation: Trends, Developments and Retrospectives 2007-2018.” (see the report order steps here http://www.newton-evans.com/?page_id=7 for purchase details).

Information in the report includes topical discussions and/or charted findings related to the following: U.S. Electric Utility Investments in Distribution Automation; Plans for Other Applications That Will Use the Same Infrastructure Being Used By Feeder Automation; Type of Controls/Logic Planned for and Used Now for Feeder Automation; Average Number of Automated Sectionalizing Switches/Reclosers Incorporated Into Feeder Design on a Per Feeder Basis; 2010 CAPEX and O&M Outlook for Distribution Automation; Utility focus on Smart Grid Components from 2008-2010; Current/Planned Use of Protocols From Substation to External Host or DA Network; Extent of Encryption of Field Protocols; Approaches to Securing Remote Connections (Modems, IPs, Wireless Connections); Use of Routable Paths to the End Devices; Monitoring of Routable Paths to the End Device; Percent of Utilities with DA Projects Underway or Completed: 2010-2014; Density of Field Devices on a “per feeder” basis in American Electric Utilities: Year End 2009 Estimates by Type/Size of Utility; Meter Density Examples for Major U.S. Cities; Utility focus priorities on related “Smart Grid” components from 2008-2010; DA Market participants, DA market trends and DA market size estimates for each of 15 sub-segments of distribution automation activities.

Report subscriptions are priced at $395.00 and the report is available for immediate download on the reports page of our website at  http://www.newton-evans.com/?page_id=7 or by calling (410-465-7316) or by email request to info@newton-evans.com .

Since 1978, Newton-Evans has been conducting business-to-business survey research for both multi-client and proprietary studies focused on energy industry automation, information technology, and infrastructure topics such as Smart Grid. The firm also provides business consulting services for clients in the computer, communications, control systems and engineered products areas serving energy-related utilities.

February 25, 2010 —Ellicott City, Maryland. The Newton-Evans Research Company today announced the publication of its third study in the multi-year tracking research program looking into electric power utility CAPEX budgets related to smart grid investments and infrastructure spending plans.
Findings from the January 2010 Newton-Evans global tracking study of electric power transmission and distribution investment are somewhat positive, compared with the two earlier tracking studies conducted in 2008 and 2009. Each of five “smart grid” component areas, plus transmission and distribution infrastructure development, has been reported by utilities located in more than 25 countries to more likely be either “increased” or “unchanged” rather than “decreased” from June of last year. The highest percentages of officials reporting increases were in the areas of protection and control, and transmission infrastructure CAPEX budgets.

O&M budgets reflect a somewhat different story. Most categories of O&M spending were less likely to see an increase from the budgets of a year ago. Distribution appears to be the key victim, with 17% of the respondents indicating a lower figure budgeted for 2010 O&M expense for distribution network operations and maintenance activities.

In summary, smart grid initiatives were cited as being more important factors stimulating increased CAPEX investments than was either regulatory mandates or government stimulus programs.

Likewise, decreases in CAPEX budgets were reported to be caused first and foremost by the economic outlook for 2010, a more important factor to the study participants than regulatory mandates.
The new 2010 edition includes information about relative market trends and market size estimates for major smart grid building blocks, including transmission and distribution network control systems, protection and control systems, substation automation and integration, distribution automation and advanced metering infrastructure as well as for transmission and distribution infrastructure.

Global CAPEX and O&M Expenditure Outlook for Electric Power T&D Investments: 2010-2011 Funding Outlook for Smart Grid Development is the third in the Newton-Evans’ Research Company’s smart grid investment tracking series.

Report subscriptions are priced at $495.00 and reports can be ordered online at www.newton-evans.com or by calling (410-465-7316) or by email request to info@newton-evans.com.

Since 1978, Newton-Evans has been conducting business-to-business survey research for both multi-client and proprietary studies focused on energy industry automation, information technology, and infrastructure topics such as Smart Grid. The firm also provides business consulting services for clients in the computer, communications, control systems and engineered products areas.