Schneider Electric to build new R&D Innovation Center in Andover, Mass.

ANDOVER, Mass. – April 26, 2013 – Schneider Electric, a global specialist in energy management, today announced the construction of a new 235,000 square foot Global Innovation and Technology Center just outside of Boston. When complete, the new center will house a world-class research and development (R&D) laboratory and bring together more than 850 Schneider Electric employees, plus growth potential for expansion.

The new Technology Center will serve as a North American R&D hub for Schneider Electric – making it one of five Global R&D centers around the world serving Schneider Electric’s 131,000 employees and customers. The Center will combine all of the company’s business units under one roof. With this cross-discipline integration at the new facility, Schneider Electric will work to define new classes of technology designed to assist organizations, companies, governments and consumers around the world advance efficiency and energy management. Schneider Electric is headquartered in Rueil-Malmaison (Paris), France, and the new Global Innovation and Technology Center in Andover joins four existing Schneider Electric Global R&D centers located in North America, Europe and Asia.

“The vibrant ecosystem of innovation in the Greater Boston area is the ideal backdrop for Schneider Electric’s Global Innovation and Technology Center,” said Chris Curtis, president and CEO, North America, Schneider Electric. “The center will be a rich resource for customers, and it will bring together cutting edge innovators in the region with researchers from around the world, allowing for a cross-pollination of ideas essential for transformative and disruptive innovation.”

In addition to housing high-tech research and development activities, the Global Innovation and Technology Center will also include a StruxureLab - a cross-discipline technology integration laboratory where Schneider Electric tests and validates its solutions, as well as a customer innovation center, a training facility, and a state-of-the-art conference facility. Part of the mission of the Global Innovation and Technology Center is to support a strong relationship between the company’s developers, customers and marketing specialists, a connection Schneider Electric sees as essential to the development of highly competitive, world-class products and solutions.

“By investing in education, innovation and infrastructure, the Patrick-Murray Administration is creating economic opportunity for everyone,” said Greg Bialecki, the secretary of housing and economic development for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. “We are pleased that Schneider Electric is expanding its presence in Massachusetts, and further strengthening our world-leading innovation economy.”

“We’re thrilled to welcome Schneider Electric to Andover, and look forward to a long relationship with the company,” said Buzz Stapczynski, town manager, Town of Andover. “The new Schneider Electric R&D hub will bring people from around the world to Andover, and we’re pleased to welcome a company with longstanding roots in the Merrimack Valley to our community.”

The Schneider Electric R&D facility will leverage the latest Schneider Electric technologies and solutions to make it one of the most energy efficient buildings in the world. The building will be optimized using Schneider Electric’s StruxureWare^™ software applications and suites to provide best-in-class energy and building management. It will leverage critical power and cooling, power distribution and control, and video surveillance and lighting, all from Schneider Electric. The facility will leverage the SmartStruxure^™ Building Management solution and a highly efficient chilled beam HVAC system that will reduce costs, as well as operation and maintenance requirements. The building is planned to be LEED certified at the time of its opening.

“We are bringing together top talent to collaborate across several disciplines, with the expectation that we will deliver breakthroughs in energy efficiency that will change the industry forever,” said Barry Coflan, senior vice president, Buildings Business, Schneider Electric, and member of Schneider Electric’s Global Innovation and Technology Council. “In addition, the new facility will be a fertile place for innovation, attracting new employees, students, researchers and customers to the Boston area, driving business and community development.”

The new Technology Center will incorporate Schneider Electric’s vision of energy efficiency through sustainable development, design and continuous performance management to ensure optimized operations.Schneider Electric’s new Global Innovation and Technology Center will be located at 800 Federal Street in Andover, Mass. Occupancy will begin in late 2013, with full occupancy expected in early 2014.

About Schneider Electric

As a global specialist in energy management with operations in more than 100 countries, Schneider Electric offers integrated solutions across multiple market segments, including leadership positions in Utilities & Infrastructure, Industries & Machines Manufacturers, Non-residential Building, Data Centers & Networks and in Residential. Focused on making energy safe, reliable, efficient, productive and green, the company's 140,000 plus employees achieved sales of 30.8 billion US dollars (24 billion euros) in 2012, through an active commitment to help individuals and organizations make the most of their energy.