CBI Electric
CBI Electric is a vertically integrated cable manufacturer serving mining, utilities, and industrial markets across South Africa, India, Australia, the United States, and Zambia, operating as a subsidiary of Reunert Limited.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1949
- HeadquartersVereeniging, South Africa
- Headcount501–1,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What CBI Electric does
CBI Electric is a vertically integrated cable manufacturer serving the mining, utilities, and industrial end-markets. The business operates as a subsidiary of Reunert Limited, a Johannesburg-listed industrial conglomerate that traces its origins to 1888 and was listed on the JSE in 1948. CBI Electric is organized into three operating divisions: CBi-electric: low voltage (electrical products and accessories), CBi-electric: african cables (cable manufacturing serving African markets), and CBi-electric: zamefa (a cable operation based in Zambia). The group employs between 501 and 1,000 people.
The company's product portfolio spans low-voltage power cables, wiring, and specialized mine safety cables, with manufacturing capability extending from conductor production through insulation and final cable assembly. CBI Electric holds ISO certifications and supplies product variants qualified for regulated mining and utility applications. The vertically integrated model gives the group control over raw conductor processing, insulation compounding, and finished-cable production, supporting both quality assurance and cost management in a copper-intensive business.
CBI Electric distributes its products primarily through B2B channels, targeting electrical contractors, mining operators, utilities, and industrial end-users. The group has built a multinational footprint with offices or operations in South Africa, India, Australia, the United States, and Zambia, enabling it to serve customers across multiple continents. Revenue is generated through the sale of cables and electrical products, with pricing driven by copper-input pass-through, product specification, and contract terms negotiated with utilities, mining houses, and industrial buyers.
CBI Electric firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- CBI Electric
- Legal name
- CBi-electric Group
- Website
- https://cbi-electric.co.za
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1949
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 501–1,000 employees
- Short description
- CBI Electric is a vertically integrated cable manufacturer serving mining, utilities, and industrial markets across South Africa, India, Australia, the United States, and Zambia, operating as a subsidiary of Reunert Limited.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
CBI Electric industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Electrical Equipment Manufacturing
- NAICS
- Electrical Equipment Manufacturing (3353), Communication and Energy Wire and Cable Manufacturing (33592)
- SIC
- Switchgear & Switchboard Apparatus (3613), Electrical Industrial Apparatus (3620)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Circuit Protection Devices (MCBs, MCCBs, ACBs, fuses, RCD/GFCI, surge protection) (IMAGAEAB)
Keywords
Where CBI Electric is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Vereeniging
- HQ country
- South Africa
- HQ region
- Africa
Offices6 records
Markets served
CBI Electric business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Electrical Component Sales: CBi-electric generates revenue through the sale of electrical protection products including Miniature Circuit Breakers, Moulded Case Circuit Breakers, wiring accessories, and specialized application Circuit Breakers. Revenue is primarily derived from one-time product sales with potential aftermarket/spares revenue.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels1 record
CBI Electric product offering
Product offeringCore offering
CBi-electric Group manufactures and supplies low voltage electrical protection and automation solutions (Miniature Circuit Breakers, Moulded Case Circuit Breakers, wiring accessories, and specialised application Circuit Breakers) along with electrical cables for industrial, commercial, and mining applications. The group operates through three divisions: low voltage, African Cables (cable manufacturing and installation), and Zamefa (Zambian operations).
Product overview
CBi-electric Group operates as a vertically integrated electrical engineering company consisting of three main divisions: CBi-electric: low voltage (electrical protection and automation solutions including Miniature Circuit Breakers, Moulded Case Circuit Breakers, wiring accessories, and specialised application Circuit Breakers), CBi-electric: african cables (cable manufacturing with mine safety specialization), and CBi-electric: zamefa (regional operations in Zambia). The group is part of Reunert Limited's Electrical Engineering segment, providing products and solutions for electrical and telecommunications infrastructure industries globally.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- CBi-electric: low voltage: Supplier of electrical protection and automation solutions for global applications. Product ranges include Miniature Circuit Breakers, Moulded Case Circuit Breakers, wiring accessories, and specialised application Circuit Breakers. Committed to international quality and safety standards with distribution network across the globe.
- CBi-electric: african cables
Products and services
- CBi-electric: low voltage Supplier of electrical protection and automation solutions for global applications, including Miniature Circuit Breakers, Moulded Case Circuit Breakers, wiring accessories, and specialised application Circuit Breakers. Serves industrial and commercial customers requiring circuit protection and automation for buildings, facilities, and infrastructure.
- CBi-electric: african cables Cable manufacturing division producing electrical cables for any load requirement, with specialist designs enhancing safety of cables used in mines. Also includes a cable installation division accredited with ISO 9001 and 9EP CIDB rating. Serves industrial, commercial, and mining customers.
- CBi-electric: zamefa Regional division based in Lusaka, Zambia providing electrical products and services to the Zambian market as part of CBi-electric Group's African footprint.
Companies that use CBI Electric
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
CBI Electric technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
CBI Electric partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators3 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights3 records
CBI Electric competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Eaton: Global power management company with a substantial low-voltage circuit protection portfolio (MCBs, MCCBs, wiring accessories) serving industrial, commercial, and utility customers. Directly comparable to CBI-electric: low voltage in product category and customer base, though at much larger scale.
- Hager Group: European family-owned specialist in electrical installations, offering MCBs, MCCBs, wiring accessories, and cable management solutions. Closely comparable to CBI's low-voltage division in product mix and mid-market industrial/commercial customer focus.
- Legrand: Global specialist in electrical and digital building infrastructures, with strong positions in wiring devices, cable management, and low-voltage distribution. Comparable to CBI's wiring accessories and protection offering, with broader global reach.
- LS Electric: Korean manufacturer of low-voltage electrical equipment including MCBs, MCCBs, contactors, and wiring devices. Comparable product portfolio and customer base to CBI-electric: low voltage, with growing presence in emerging markets including Africa.
- Prysmian Group: World's largest cable manufacturer, producing power, telecommunications, and specialty cables including mining and submarine applications. Directly comparable to CBi-electric: african cables in cable manufacturing, though at vastly greater scale and global reach.
- Nexans: French global cable manufacturer with significant mining, energy, and infrastructure cable portfolios. Closely comparable to CBi-electric: african cables, particularly in specialty cables for industrial and mining applications.
Broad incumbents
- Schneider Electric: Global specialist in energy management and automation with extensive low-voltage protection, wiring devices, and industrial control offerings. Competes directly with CBI in circuit breakers and electrical distribution, but with vastly broader portfolio and global brand recognition.
- ABB: Swiss-Swedian multinational offering electrification, motion, and process automation products, including low-voltage switchgear and protection devices. Overlaps with CBI in circuit protection for industrial and infrastructure customers, but operates at much greater scale and breadth.
- Siemens: German global technology conglomerate with substantial electrification products business including low-voltage switchgear, protection devices, and wiring systems. Overlaps with CBI's product portfolio but operates across a much broader industrial and digital portfolio.
Emerging players
- CHINT Group: Chinese low-voltage electrical equipment manufacturer with growing global distribution, including significant presence in Africa. Competes in MCBs, MCCBs, and wiring accessories at typically lower price points than CBI's offerings.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
CBI Electric social profiles
Digital presenceCBI Electric compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
CBI Electric financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
CBI Electric leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
CBI Electric subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries3 records
CBI Electric funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
CBI Electric M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about CBI Electric
What does CBI Electric do?
CBi-electric Group manufactures and supplies low voltage electrical protection and automation solutions (Miniature Circuit Breakers, Moulded Case Circuit Breakers, wiring accessories, and specialised application Circuit Breakers) along with electrical cables for industrial, commercial, and mining applications. The group operates through three divisions: low voltage, African Cables (cable manufacturing and installation), and Zamefa (Zambian operations).
Is CBI Electric a public or private company?
CBI Electric is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was CBI Electric founded?
CBI Electric was founded in 1949. It employs 501 to 1,000 people.
Where is CBI Electric based?
CBI Electric is headquartered in Vereeniging, South Africa, in the Africa region.
How does CBI Electric make money?
One revenue line is on record: electrical Component Sales.
Who are CBI Electric's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Eaton, Hager Group, Legrand, LS Electric, Prysmian Group and Nexans. Broad incumbents are Schneider Electric, ABB and Siemens. CHINT Group is listed as an emerging player.
Does CBI Electric have an API?
No public API is recorded for CBI Electric.
What industry is CBI Electric in?
CBI Electric's product category is Electrical Equipment Manufacturing. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAGAEAB, Circuit Protection Devices (MCBs, MCCBs, ACBs, fuses, RCD/GFCI, surge protection). Its NAICS code is 3353 and its SIC code is 3613.