Business notebook: ABB group acquires Thomas & Betts

The United States has recently become the largest market for ABB, a power and automation technology group, because of the recent completion of ABB’s acquisition of Thomas & Betts.

Acquiring Thomas & Betts will advance ABB’s strategy of expanding its Low Voltage Products division into new areas.

Thomas & Betts is headquartered in Memphis and has a location in Hager City. The company is a North American leader in low voltage products.

“We are proud to join ABB and bring our skills, products and long-standing customer relationships into ABB’s portfolio,” Thomas & Betts former COO and current CEO Charles Treadway said. “With our expanded product offering and global market presence, our combined companies have significant opportunities for growth.”

ABB officials couldn’t agree more. In fact, ABB’s addressable market in North America will double to about $24 billion as a result of the acquisition.

“ABB firmly believes in the strength of American manufacturing,” ABB CEO Joe Hogan said. “Within the past three years, we have invested over $11 billion in North America to become a leading player for power and automation technologies in the region and today the U.S. is ABB’s largest market in terms of sales and employees.”

• Nicolas Maragos may have retired from his work at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, but that doesn’t mean he’ll be relaxing at home.

Maragos recently joined the staff at Refined Skin Medi-Spa in Red Wing’s St. James Hotel. The board-certified physician/surgeon will perform advanced body contouring using VASER Lipo, an alternative to traditional liposuction.

“We are pleased to welcome Dr. Maragos and introduce our clients to body contouring for gentle, safe reshaping with the advanced ultrasound technology of VASER Lipo,” Refined Skin Medi-Spa owner Dr. Kory Tuominen said.

Maragos was the first physician to use a CO2 laser in clinical practice in 1981. Having focused his work on the head and neck area while practicing medicine at Mayo, Maragos said it’s an easy transition to move toward VASER Lipo procedures.

“After retiring, it was natural to become active in the field of facial and cosmetic surgery,” Maragos said.

Using VASER Lipo, Maragos will be able to help patients by selectively removing unwanted body fat while minimizing their discomfort and recovery time.

• Leona Johnson is retiring from administration in the Ellsworth School District. Her career with Ellsworth schools started as a family and consumer education teacher. She has been the district’s director of curriculum and instruction since 2001 as well as the Hillcrest Elementary School principal for the past three years.

• Professional organizer Marilyn Tomfohrde earned a level I certificate of study in CD client administration from the Institute for Challenging Disorganization, formerly known as the National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization. Tomfohrde started her business, New Life Organizing, in 2005 to help people rid their homes and lives of clutter

Tags: minnesota, business