What Actom does

ACTOM is Africa's largest manufacturer, repairer, maintainer, and distributor of electro-mechanical equipment, headquartered in Bedfordview, Johannesburg, South Africa, with origins dating to 1903-1904. The group operates 35 business units, 52 production/service/repair facilities, and 33 distribution outlets across sub-Saharan Africa, employing approximately 8,000 people. ACTOM designs, manufactures, and services power and distribution transformers (from 16kVA single-phase units up to 315MVA at 275kV), medium and high voltage switchgear (up to 36kV MV and 800kV HV via OEM partnerships), medium voltage motors up to 18MW, generators, protection and control systems, smart meters, railway signalling and traction equipment, industrial boilers, and HVAC systems. It supplies the full grid value chain including balance of plant for renewable energy projects, battery energy storage, and digital substations, holding multiple ISO 9001/14001/45001 and SANS 780 certifications alongside Level 1 B-BBEE status.

The group's revenue model combines capital equipment sales (transformers, switchgear, motors, meters), EPC and turnkey project contracting (substations, renewable BoP, mine winder hoists, rail signalling installations), and recurring services (repairs, refurbishment, condition monitoring, on-site maintenance) delivered through wholly owned subsidiaries including LH Marthinusen, Reid & Mitchell, Marthinusen & Coutts, ACTOM Power Transformers, ACTOM Distribution Transformers, ACTOM High Voltage Equipment, John Thompson, ACTOM Signalling, and the recently acquired ACTOM Static Energy (formerly JUEL Batteries). GTM is primarily enterprise field sales supplemented by 13 ACTOM Electrical Products branch counters, regional offices in Kenya, Namibia, Zimbabwe, and Zambia, an approved distributor/channel partner network, and active participation in industry events (Enlit Africa, Africa Energy Indaba, Electra Mining, Africa Rail, AMEU). Customer concentration centres on South African parastatals (Eskom), SADC utilities (NamPower, Kenya Power, ZESCO), mining operators (Copper Belt, Mozal, Alusaf Hillside), industrial manufacturers, and rail operators. Annual order intake exceeds R11 billion, with the business positioned as a primary beneficiary of South Africa's NTCSA-led 37 GW grid expansion programme by 2030.

Name

Actom

Legal name

ACTOM (Pty) Ltd

Website

https://actom.co.za

Company type

Private

Founded year

1904

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

ACTOM is Africa's largest electro-mechanical equipment manufacturer, repairer, and distributor, serving power utilities, mining operators, industrial manufacturers, and rail operators across sub-Saharan Africa with transformers, switchgear, motors, signalling systems, and turnkey EPC services through 35 operating units and 33 distribution outlets.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Electro-mechanical Equipment Manufacturing

NAICS

Switchgear and Switchboard Apparatus Manufacturing (335313), Electrical Equipment Manufacturing (3353), Electrical Equipment Manufacturing (33531), Motor and Generator Manufacturing (335312), Relay and Industrial Control Manufacturing (335314), Electrical Equipment, Appliance, and Component Manufacturing (335), All Other Electrical Equipment and Component Manufacturing (33599)

SIC

Switchgear & Switchboard Apparatus (3613), Electrical Industrial Apparatus (3620), Motors & Generators (3621), Electronic & Other Electrical Equipment (No Computer Equip) (3600), Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823), Instruments For Meas & Testing Of Electricity & Elec Signals (3825)

akta.pro primary industry

Power Plant Electrical Systems EPC (Switchyard, Transformers, Protection & Controls) (EUAEAAAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Distribution Substations & Switching Stations (MV) EPC (EUAEACAC), Electrical Balance-of-Plant EPC (MV Collection, Cabling, Earthing, Lighting) (EUAEADAB), Electrical Systems Maintenance (LV/MV, Switchgear, UPS) (BPABACAC), AC-DC Power Supplies (Industrial PSUs, DIN-rail, enclosed/open-frame) (IMAGADAA), EV/Industrial Charging Power Electronics (Chargers, rectifiers, power stages) (IMAGADAF)

Keywords

• Electro-mechanical equipment
• Power transformer manufacturing
• MV HV switchgear
• Industrial electric motors
• Electrical engineering services

Headquarters

HQ city

Boksburg

HQ country

South Africa

HQ region

Africa

Offices16 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Electro-mechanical equipment manufacturing and sales: ACTOM designs, manufactures and sells a comprehensive range of electro-mechanical equipment including power and distribution transformers, medium and high voltage switchgear, motors, generators, protection and control systems, lighting solutions, turbo machinery, and smart technologies. This is the primary revenue stream, supported by 52 production facilities across the group.
2. Engineering projects, EPC and turnkey contracting: ACTOM delivers engineering projects and turnkey EPC (Engineering, Procurement and Construction) contracts for electrical power, mining, manufacturing, and public sector infrastructure. Divisions including ACTOM Power Systems and ACTOM Contracting manage large-scale project delivery including substation construction, renewable balance of plant, and electrical & instrumentation installation.
3. Repairs, refurbishment and maintenance services: ACTOM's service divisions (LH Marthinusen, Reid & Mitchell, Marthinusen & Coutts, ACTOM Turbo Machines, Metalplus) provide repair, rewinding, refurbishment and ongoing maintenance for motors, generators, transformers, fans, and rotating equipment. Services include condition monitoring, on-site support, oil testing, and emergency breakdown response.
4. Distribution and wholesale supply: ACTOM Electrical Products operates 13 branches distributing cables, cable accessories, lighting equipment, heating and ventilation equipment, circuit breakers, transformers, and other electrical products to contractors, wholesalers, municipalities and industrial customers across Southern Africa.
5. Smart technologies and automation systems: ACTOM's smart technologies division provides IoT and AI-powered factory intelligence, SCADA automation, smart metering (credit, prepayment, smart), variable speed drives, protection relays, and substation automation solutions, often bundled with hardware and services.
6. Rail signalling, transport equipment and traction systems: ACTOM Rail Transport and ACTOM Signalling supply railway signalling systems, electronic interlocking, level crossing protection, rolling stock equipment, traction motors and generators, and depot assembly and test equipment, serving Southern African rail operators.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

ACTOM designs, manufactures, services, repairs, maintains and distributes a comprehensive range of electro-mechanical equipment including power and distribution transformers, medium and high voltage switchgear, electric motors and generators, protection and control systems, smart metering, railway signalling, industrial boilers, and battery energy storage systems. The group operates 35 business units, 52 production, service and repair facilities, and 33 distribution outlets across sub-Saharan Africa, serving utilities, mining, industrial, rail, renewable energy and infrastructure customers. It also delivers turnkey EPC engineering projects and long-term maintenance services across the continent.

Product overview

ACTOM is a major South African electro-mechanical engineering company providing energy solutions through manufacturing, service, repairs, maintenance, projects and distribution via 35 operating units and 33 outlets across sub-Saharan Africa. The company serves utilities, mining, industrial, transport, renewable energy, and infrastructure sectors with a comprehensive product portfolio. Core product divisions include: ACTOM Power Transformers (2-315MVA, up to 275kV transformers), ACTOM High Voltage Equipment (11-800kV circuit breakers, disconnectors, instrument transformers), ACTOM Medium Voltage Switchgear (up to 36kV AIS/GIS/SIS switchgear), ACTOM Distribution Transformers (16kVA-10MVA), ACTOM Protection & Control (SCADA, smart metering, protection relays), ACTOM Static Power (UPS, batteries, BESS), ACTOM Electrical Machines (motors 0.12kW-18MW, gearboxes), John Thompson (boilers, HVAC, air quality), LH Marthinusen (transformer repair, rotating equipment), and ACTOM Signalling (railway automation, interlocking systems). Regional operations include ACTOM Kenya, ACTOM Energy Namibia, GEC Zimbabwe, and M&C Zambia. The company also operates specialised divisions for data centres, contracting, rail transport, and smart technologies incorporating IoT/AI capabilities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• John Thompson: Energy and environmental solutions including boilers, HVAC systems, and air quality solutions
• LH Marthinusen
• Reid & Mitchell
• Genlux Lighting
• Satchwell
• Static Power
• COM10
• ACTOM Alkaline Batteries
• ARNOT
• Marthinusen & Coutts
• WPI Power Solutions
• KoebEC
• ACTOM MV Switchgear
• ACTOM Power Transformers
• ACTOM Distribution Transformers
• ACTOM High Voltage Equipment
• ACTOM Protection & Control
• ACTOM Signalling
• ACTOM Static Energy

Products and services

• ACTOM Power Transformers
• ACTOM Distribution Transformers
• ACTOM High Voltage Equipment
• ACTOM Medium Voltage Switchgear
• ACTOM Protection & Control
• ACTOM Static Power
• ACTOM Electrical Machines
• John Thompson
• LH Marthinusen
• Reid & Mitchell
• ACTOM Signalling
• ACTOM Transport Equipment and Projects
• KOEBEC Electrical and Engineering Services
• ACTOM Data Centres
• Marthinusen & Coutts
• ACTOM Turbo Machines
• ACTOM Industry
• ACTOM Power Systems
• ACTOM Contracting
• ACTOM Smart Technologies IoT and AI factory intelligence solutions providing tailor-made solutions through visibility in processes, including smart protection, control, static power, drone inspections, and energy optimization applications.
• ACTOM Electrical Products
• ACTOM Energy
• ACTOM Static Energy (formerly JUEL Batteries) Acquired South African battery manufacturer rebranded as ACTOM Static Energy in May 2026 to expand ACTOM's energy storage business with tenfold increase in battery production capacity, including NiCad, Lead Acid, Lithium-ion (LiFePo4) and Sodium Nickel Chloride (NaCl) batteries, with expanded manufacturing facilities in Pretoria West.

Quantifiable outcome

• Battery production capacity to increase tenfold following JUEL Batteries acquisition
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers14 records

Segments9 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability5 records

Feature9 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• NamPowercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 February 2026ACTOM supplied technology for Africa's first fully digital substation at Sekelduin, Namibia, commissioned by NamPower. The project incorporated IEC 61850 standards and advanced digital features such as real-time monitoring and remote control, setting a benchmark for future power infrastructure across Africa.
• Namibia Power (NamPower)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 February 2026NamPower commissioned Africa's first fully digital substation at Sekelduin, with technology supplied by ACTOM, incorporating IEC 61850 standards. The project cost N$394 million and aims to set a benchmark for future power infrastructure across Africa.
• Global technology and OEM partnerscoreTechnology or IntegrationACTOM holds several technology, distribution and value-added reseller agreements with local and international partners. ACTOM High Voltage Equipment is backed by the resources and expertise of various international OEMs for equipment up to 800kV. ACTOM partners with global specialists for design and product innovation ensuring solutions meet highest international standards.
• Schneider ElectriccoreTechnology or IntegrationACTOM Kenya is licensed by Schneider Electric as the manufacturer/panel builder of BlokSet, enabling the production of Schneider Electric-branded LV switchboards locally in Kenya.
• Reid & MitchellcoreOthersReid & Mitchell, a division of ACTOM, manufactures, refurbishes and upgrades electrical rotating machines and auxiliary controls for diesel electric locomotives and traction applications. It is the largest repairer in the Southern Hemisphere of electrical equipment for large Excavators, Off-Highway Vehicles, Traction and Oil & Gas equipment.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• ABB: Swiss-Swedish global leader in electrification, motion, and process automation. Competes directly with ACTOM in transformers, switchgear, drives, and motors across the African utility, mining, and industrial segments, particularly in HV equipment above 145kV where ACTOM relies on OEM partnerships.
• Siemens Energy: Global energy technology company supplying transformers, switchgear, grid technologies, and rotating equipment for utilities and industry. Directly comparable to ACTOM in power generation and T&D equipment, EPC project delivery, and grid digitalisation offerings such as IEC 61850.
• Schneider Electric: French multinational specialising in electrical distribution, switchgear (including BlokSet licensed to ACTOM Kenya), industrial automation, and data centre power infrastructure. A direct competitor in MV/LV switchgear, protection, and data centre power solutions across Africa.
• Hitachi Energy: Swiss-headquartered (Japanese-owned) specialist in transformers, HV switchgear, HVDC, and grid automation. Directly comparable to ACTOM's transformer and switchgear manufacturing and to its IEC 61850 digital substation capability, and a key technology benchmark for the African utility market.
• WEG: Brazilian global manufacturer of motors, generators, transformers, drives, and switchgear. Highly comparable to ACTOM Electrical Machines and ACTOM Power Transformers across emerging-market industrial, mining, and utility customers, with strong traction in Africa and similar product breadth.
• Zest WEG: South African subsidiary of WEG supplying motors, generators, transformers, switchgear, and electrical infrastructure to mining, utilities, and industry across sub-Saharan Africa. Head-to-head competitor with ACTOM in the South African and African mining and industrial segments.
• Alstom (Hitachi Rail): Global rail signalling, rolling stock, and rail electrification provider. Comparable to ACTOM Signalling (railway automation since 1907) and ACTOM Rail Transport (traction motors, depot equipment), competing in Southern African rail modernisation and signalling tenders.

Broad incumbents

• Eaton: US-based power management company with a strong electrical (switchgear, transformers, UPS) and industrial components portfolio. Competes with ACTOM in power distribution equipment and increasingly in data centre and renewable energy balance-of-plant applications across emerging markets.

Emerging players

• Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL): Indian state-owned manufacturer of power generation equipment, transformers, switchgear, and industrial machinery. Comparable to ACTOM as a domestic-electrical-equipment champion serving emerging-market utilities, with similar product breadth across transformers, motors, and EPC.
• TBEA: Chinese manufacturer of power transformers, HV equipment, and EPC services with growing presence in African utility projects. Directly comparable to ACTOM Power Transformers and High Voltage Equipment, and an increasingly aggressive competitor on price in African T&D tenders.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/actom-192105877521872

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Subsidiaries34 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Actom