Chloride Group

Chloride Group is a British-origin industrial electrical equipment company whose history began with battery manufacturing in 1891. Established as The Chloride Electrical Syndicate Limited, it developed a portfolio of battery brands and later expanded from conventional battery production into engineered power-protection systems. Its business ultimately centered on industrial uninterruptible power supply (UPS) equipment, direct-current and alternating-current power systems, maintenance services, and safety-lighting products used where interruption of electricity could damage equipment, disrupt operations, or create safety risks. The company’s historical brand portfolio included Ajax, Exide, Dagenite, Kathanode, Shednought, and Tudor. During the 1970s, under managing director Sir Michael Edwardes, Chloride demonstrated what was described as the United Kingdom’s first battery-powered buses, reflecting the company’s interest in applying battery technology beyond stationary industrial uses. From the late 1990s, Chloride repositioned itself as an international secure-power specialist. In 1999 it acquired Oneac in the United States, BOAR SA in Spain, and Hytek in Australia. It then purchased Siemens’ power-protection division in Germany in 2000, Continuous Power International in 2001, Harath Engineering Services in the United Kingdom in 2005, and AST Electronique Services in France in 2007. These transactions broadened the company’s geographic coverage and strengthened its design, installation, service, and maintenance capabilities in power-protection markets. Chloride also expanded in India, announcing in July 2009 that it would acquire a 90 percent stake in DB Power Electronics, described as a leading Indian UPS company. The acquisition supported the group’s position in a fast-growing market for backup and protected power systems. In September 2010, Emerson Electric of the United States completed the acquisition of Chloride Group for approximately US$1.5 billion. Chloride’s activities became part of Emerson Network Power. In 2016, Emerson Network Power was acquired by Platinum Equity for approximately US$4 billion and subsequently rebranded as Vertiv, creating a standalone business focused on critical digital infrastructure and power-management systems. In 2021, Chloride again became an independent privately held company following a management buyout of the relevant Vertiv business, supported by Innovafonds and Bpifrance. The transaction included global industrial activities, a manufacturing site in France, patents and other intellectual property, the Chloride and AEES trademarks, regional assets, industrial AC and DC UPS products, and safety-lighting products. The reconstituted group reported pro forma sales of approximately US$90 million for 2021 in the reference material and restored the historical Chloride name. Chloride is therefore best understood as an active private industrial power-equipment group with roots in nineteenth-century battery manufacturing, rather than as a defunct listed company.

Chloride Group traces its origins to 1891, when it was established as The Chloride Electrical Syndicate Limited to manufacture batteries. Over time, the company used or owned a number of battery-related brands, including Ajax, Exide, Dagenite, Kathanode, Shednought, and Tudor. Its early identity was therefore rooted in electrochemical products, while its later business developed around the protection and management of electrical power for industrial and critical-use customers. A notable technology demonstration took place in the 1970s, when Chloride, under managing director Sir Michael Edwardes, showcased battery-powered buses in the United Kingdom. The project illustrated the company’s continuing interest in battery applications and helped associate its historical business with transport electrification as well as stationary power. The decisive strategic shift came in the 1990s, when Chloride diversified into secure power systems. In 1999 it acquired Oneac in the United States, BOAR SA in Spain, and Hytek in Australia. It continued this international expansion by acquiring Siemens’ power-protection division in Germany in 2000, Continuous Power International in 2001, Harath Engineering Services in the United Kingdom in 2005, and AST Electronique Services in France in 2007. The acquisitions combined product development with field engineering, installation, and maintenance capabilities, enabling Chloride to serve customers requiring dependable power continuity across several regions. In July 2009, Chloride announced the purchase of a 90 percent interest in DB Power Electronics, an Indian UPS company. This move extended the group’s presence in South Asia and supported its concentration on UPS and critical-power markets. At the time, Chloride was a London Stock Exchange-listed company and had been a constituent of the FTSE 250 index. Emerson Electric acquired Chloride in September 2010 for approximately US$1.5 billion. The company joined Emerson Network Power, where its industrial power activities formed part of a larger international portfolio. In 2016, Platinum Equity acquired Emerson Network Power for approximately US$4 billion. The business was then separated and rebranded as Vertiv, a standalone company focused on infrastructure supporting critical digital and electrical systems. The Chloride identity was restored in 2021 after a management team, supported by the investment firm Innovafonds and the French public investment bank Bpifrance, bought the relevant business division from Vertiv. The transaction covered global industrial operations, a French manufacturing site, patents and other intellectual property, the Chloride and AEES trademarks, and several regional assets. Industrial AC and DC UPS systems and the safety-lighting portfolio were transferred in their entirety. The resulting private group reported pro forma sales of approximately US$90 million for 2021 according to the cited reference material. The company’s current corporate form is consequently the product of a long sequence of ownership changes, while its central activity remains the design, production, and maintenance of industrial power-protection systems.

1. 2021Chloride restored as an independent private group

   A management buyout supported by Innovafonds and Bpifrance returned the Chloride industrial business to independent private ownership.

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2. 2016Business becomes part of Vertiv

   Platinum Equity acquired Emerson Network Power, which was subsequently separated and rebranded as Vertiv.

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3. 2010Acquired by Emerson Electric

   Emerson Electric completed its acquisition of Chloride Group, bringing the business into Emerson Network Power.

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4. 2009DB Power Electronics majority stake announced

   Chloride announced the acquisition of a 90 percent stake in Indian UPS company DB Power Electronics.

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5. 2007AST Electronique Services acquired

   Chloride acquired the French power-services company AST Electronique Services.

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6. 2005Harath Engineering Services acquired

   The group acquired the United Kingdom engineering-services business Harath Engineering Services.

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7. 2001Continuous Power International acquired

   Chloride expanded its secure-power operations through the acquisition of Continuous Power International.

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8. 2000Siemens power-protection division acquired

   The company acquired Siemens’ power-protection division in Germany.

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9. 1999Expansion into secure power systems

   Chloride acquired Oneac in the United States, BOAR SA in Spain, and Hytek in Australia.

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10. 1970Battery-powered buses demonstrated

    Under managing director Sir Michael Edwardes, Chloride showcased battery-powered buses in the United Kingdom during the 1970s.

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11. 1891Company founded as The Chloride Electrical Syndicate Limited

    The company was established to manufacture batteries, creating the foundation for the later Chloride industrial power business.

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A specialist industrial power-protection provider serving critical infrastructure and other applications that require continuity, resilience, and maintenance support for electrical power.

• Industrial batteriesBattery systems1891

  Battery manufacturing was the company’s original business. Its historical portfolio included brands such as Ajax, Exide, Dagenite, Kathanode, Shednought, and Tudor. These products established Chloride’s expertise in stored electrical energy and provided the technical foundation for its later move into industrial backup-power systems.

• Industrial AC UPS systemsUninterruptible power supplies

  Industrial AC UPS systems are designed to maintain a stable alternating-current supply for critical equipment during outages, disturbances, or transitions between power sources. Chloride’s AC UPS portfolio formed part of the industrial business transferred back to the independent Chloride group in 2021.

• Industrial DC UPS systemsUninterruptible power supplies

  Industrial DC UPS systems provide protected direct-current power for applications that depend on continuous operation of control, communications, protection, and other industrial equipment. The DC UPS portfolio was included in the 2021 transaction that restored Chloride as an independent company.

• Safety-lighting systemsEmergency and safety lighting

  Chloride’s safety-lighting portfolio supports illumination requirements when normal power is unavailable or compromised. These products were transferred with the industrial AC and DC UPS activities in the 2021 separation from Vertiv.

• Power-system servicesEngineering and maintenance services

  The group’s secure-power model includes design, installation, servicing, and maintenance of industrial UPS and related power-protection equipment. Acquisitions such as Harath Engineering Services and AST Electronique Services strengthened this service-oriented capability in the United Kingdom and France.

• 2021Management buyout and restoration of the Chloride nameM&A

  The Chloride industrial activities formed part of Vertiv but were separated for independent ownership.

  What changed. A management team backed by Innovafonds and Bpifrance acquired the relevant business, including industrial operations, intellectual property, trademarks, AC and DC UPS systems, and safety-lighting products.

  Aftermath. Chloride became an independent privately held group and restored its historical name. The reference material gives pro forma 2021 sales of approximately US$90 million.

  Pro forma sales. Approximately US$90 million (2021 pro forma)

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• 2016Separation and rebranding under VertivStrategy

  Emerson Network Power was sold as a business division after Emerson decided to separate the activity from its wider portfolio.

  What changed. Platinum Equity acquired the division, which was relaunched as Vertiv.

  Aftermath. The Chloride business operated within the newly independent Vertiv platform until the 2021 management buyout.

  Acquisition value. Approximately US$4 billion (2016 acquisition)

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• 2010Sale to Emerson ElectricM&A

  Chloride was an established listed secure-power company with international operations and a growing UPS business.

  What changed. Emerson Electric acquired Chloride Group for approximately US$1.5 billion.

  Aftermath. Chloride became part of Emerson Network Power and ceased operating as an independent listed group.

  Acquisition value. Approximately US$1.5 billion (2010 acquisition)

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• 2009Acquisition of a majority stake in DB Power ElectronicsM&A

  Chloride pursued growth in India’s market for uninterruptible power supplies.

  What changed. The company announced the acquisition of a 90 percent stake in DB Power Electronics.

  Aftermath. The transaction broadened Chloride’s presence in the Indian UPS market.

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• 1999Diversification into secure power systemsStrategy

  Chloride sought to move beyond its historical battery identity and build an international business supplying protected and uninterrupted electrical power.

  What changed. The company acquired Oneac, BOAR SA, and Hytek and expanded its secure-power operations across the United States, Spain, and Australia.

  Aftermath. The acquisitions marked the company’s transition toward industrial UPS systems and associated engineering and maintenance services.

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• 2021Chloride returns to independent private ownership

  A management-led buyout supported by Innovafonds and Bpifrance separated the Chloride industrial business from Vertiv and restored the Chloride name.

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• 2016Emerson Network Power is rebranded as Vertiv after Platinum Equity acquisition

  Following Platinum Equity’s acquisition of Emerson Network Power, the business was separated and relaunched under the Vertiv name.

  M&AOther
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• 2010Emerson completes acquisition of Chloride Group

  Emerson Electric acquired Chloride Group for approximately US$1.5 billion and integrated its activities into Emerson Network Power.

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• 2009Chloride announces acquisition of a 90 percent stake in DB Power Electronics

  Chloride announced an agreement to acquire a majority stake in Indian UPS company DB Power Electronics as part of its expansion in secure-power systems.

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1. Chloride Group