Clipsal

Clipsal is an Australian brand of electrical accessories. Its primary factory, once located at Bowden, moved to Gepps Cross.[1][2] Smaller factories in South Australia at Nuriootpa, Strathalbyn, Wingfield, and in Bayswater, Victoria have closed and production has moved to Gepps Cross and to offshore locations. From 2000 to 2017, Clipsal was the naming rights sponsor for the Adelaide 500 Supercars race.

Since 2004 Clipsal Australia has been a subsidiary of Schneider Electric.

History

Clipsal was established by Alfred Gerard in Adelaide, Australia in 1920. Clipsal began by selling a range of adjustable sheet metal fittings which joined the various imported conduits of differing diameters found in Australia at the time. These products helped give the company its name, the phrase "clips all" being abridged to Clipsal. Alfred's son Geoff took over the company and spearheaded several manufacturing breakthroughs, including the invention of the first all-Australian switch in 1930. The company also performed early R&D on thermoplastics in the 1950s.[3]

Clipsal Integrated Systems, a division of Clipsal, was responsible for the creation of the C-Bus product range and accompanying protocol used in home automation.

Clipsal entered into a collaboration agreement with "The Smart Company" in 1995, and later entered into a Heads of Agreement in 1996. These agreements led to the development of the Clipsal Home Minder, which was sold until 2004.

In 2004, Clipsal Australia became majority-owned by Schneider Electric.

Litigation

From 2004 to 2011, Clipsal Integrated Systems, Clipsal Technologies Australia and Clipsal Australia were in litigation[4] with The Smart Company Pty Ltd regarding the Clipsal Home Minder and other Smart products.[5][6][7][8]

The litigation was for apparent unpaid royalties to The Smart Company pursuant to the Heads of Agreement.

The Smart Company went into liquidation on 28 May 2010. Liquidators of The Smart Company went to the Supreme Court to gain control of the Clipsal case.[9] Prior to liquidation, director Dorothea Tomazos transferred the benefit of the case to herself for $1.[10]

External links

• Clipsal