CBI Electric

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.

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

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

• Low voltage circuit breakers
• Electrical protection solutions
• Cable manufacturing
• Mining cables
• Industrial electrical components

Headquarters

HQ city

Vereeniging

HQ country

South Africa

HQ region

Africa

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. 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

Core 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.

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Direct 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

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cbi-electric

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about CBI Electric