Business Briefs for the Week of Aug. 10, 2009

American Superconductor Corp., Devens, Mass., recently announced that the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), has provided more than $12 million in funding to AMSC under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to complete two ongoing superconductor smart grid projects. The projects include a three-phase 138kV fault current limiter (FCL) using the company’s 344 superconductors and the second phase of its superconductor power cable project with Long Island Power Authority (LIPA).

FCI , Versailles, France, has entered into an agreement to sell its electrical division, BURNDY, to Hubbell, Inc. , Orange, Conn. The deal remains subject to approval of competent authorities and shall be finalized during Q4 2009.

Chloride North America, Libertyville, Ill., recently announced that it has acquired Custom Power, Inc., Houston. Frank Reyna, Custom Power's current president, will remain with the business to assist Chloride in strengthening its presence in targeted industrial markets. Reyna will report to Joe Nitiss, president of Chloride North America.

Crown Supply, Providence, R.I., has been appointed distributor for Gamewell-FCI, Northford, Conn., fire alarm systems in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Connecticut. Crown Supply will be the source for area electrical contractors and fire alarm contractors seeking a full range of Gamewell-FCI products for the building of fire alarm systems, from initiating devices to modular emergency evacuation control panels.

The Home Depot , Atlanta, and Klein Tools, Lincolnshire, Ill., recently announced that the retailer is now the exclusive home improvement retailer of the tool manufacturer’s hand-held electrical tools. Under the exclusive agreement, The Home Depot will offer Klein’s complete line of electrical tools and will be the sole home improvement retailer of all existing and future product lines.