Siemens gets $1.4 billion in pre-World Cup orders in South Africa

FRANKFURT -- Germany's Siemens AG said Thursday that it has won orders worth 1.4 billion to help upgrade South Africa's infrastructure as the country prepares for next year's football World Cup.

Eighty percent of the orders were for energy projects, but the company will also help with mass-transit traffic management and improving health care services, the Munich-based industrial conglomerate said.

Siemens said its Osram lighting division will also supply lighting systems for eight of the 10 World Cup stadiums.

Siemens' "products will support the further development of the economy and enhance environmental protection," managing board member Siegfried Russwurm said in a statement.

The company said it has built new power plants in Cape Town and Mossel Bay, and also is working to help "ensure the efficient distribution of energy in the South African grid."

Siemen's has local operations in Buffalo Grove, Deerfield, Chicago, Hoffman Estates, Schaumburg, Glen Ellyn, Elk Grove, Mundelein, Oak Brook, Rolling Meadows and Wood Dale