Leviton buys energy company Obvius

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Portland-based Obvius makes technology to help building owners and operators manage energy and water use.

Electrical device maker Leviton Manufacturing Company said Monday it has purchased Obvius, which makes hardware for collecting data on energy use by buildings.

Leviton, based in Melville, N.Y., said Portland-based Obvius’ products fit well with the energy management systems it produces to help building operators conserve energy. The Obvius sensors monitor electric, water, gas, environmental and renewable energy use, translating the data into useful information accessible by a building’s owner or operator via the Internet.

Obvius’ products will allow Leviton to offer a more complete line of energy management systems, Leviton said in a press release.

Portland-based Obvious employs more than 20 people and has enjoyed double-digit revenue growth for several years, said Tom Leonard, a senior director at Leviton Lighting and Energy Solutions, which employs 170 in Tualatin.

Leonard said Obvius will remain in Portland and that Obvius CEO Jim Lewis will retain that position, adding that Leviton intends to give Obvius the support it needs to continue rapid growth.

“Obvius has a phenomenal technology, Jim has build an amazing company,” Leonard said.

The companies did not disclose terms of the acquisition, except to say it was a direct purchase. Lewis referred all questions to Leonard.

A year ago, Leviton’s Tualatin unit, at 20497 S.W. Teton Ave., was hunting for more space, desiring about 100,000 square feet. Leonard said the unit achieved that goal in the third quarter by buying the building across the street.

Founded more than 100 years ago, Leviton Manufacturing produces electrical wiring devices and data center connectivity solutions, as well as lighting energy management systems. It employs about 7,000 worldwide.