Michael Smith Switchgear Ltd

Thanks to ECN for featuring our supply chain sustainability method ⚡ Back in 2019 we began auditing our suppliers' use of environmentally-friendly packaging. Then Make UK research found in 2022 that 45% of manufacturers were not aware of their suppliers' ESG performance. At around the time we began to fully audit our supply chain. “We wanted to ensure MSSL works with companies that share our ethos and values,” Emily tells Electrical Contracting News (ECN). 🍃 It's part of a wider strategy that has cut our carbon emissions in half over the last five years. Read the full article ➡️  https://lnkd.in/eFP3uWfT

The PM has set a fresh business imperative at COP29 ⚡ Sir Keir Starmer has described the mission of making Britain ‘a clean energy superpower that will fire up our industrial heartlands’. At Michael Smith Switchgear Ltd, we're proud to being a small part in contributing to this vision. We’ve reduced our carbon emissions by 58% over 5 years. 📉 It means we’re tracking ahead of our timeline in Make UK’s Net Zero Roadmap. ⏱ And we've done it while simultaneously growing revenue by just under two-thirds. Our investment in reducing carbon emissions could be replicated by any manufacturer. It shows that there’s the opportunity for a greener future for the UK industrial sector! #COP29

🌍 Today is World Mental Health Day 🌍 This year's theme is workplace mental health. It highlights the importance of addressing mental health and wellbeing in the workplace, for the benefit of people, organisations, and communities. Manufacturing ranks in the bottom 10% of UK industries for wellbeing - so we know how important it is to look after our teams. It's why we have support systems - our team is committed to providing resources and support for mental health, ensuring everyone has access to the help they need. And why we encourage open conversations - this helps with breaking down stigmas and promoting understanding. And it's why Michael Smith Switchgear Ltd, there's always someone to talk to. #WorldMentalHealthDay #MentalHealthMatters #TeamWellbeing

We don’t just build new boards - we adapt existing ones too ⚡ The team recently completed a great job for a banking industry client in the South West. Custom metalwork is needed when retrofitting breakers and meters into an existing panel manufactured by another company. So when we’re working on a switchboard which isn’t our own we design and manufacture a bespoke solution. ✅ Tim and Jason completed the task on this occasion. They fitted custom copperwork and cabling to get the job done. The client was very impressed and has since come back to us with further orders. “The bespoke solution worked really well for this client,” said our MD Sean Smith. “There was a day to measure up the job and a day to fit the parts - it’s resulted in a really neat and efficient finish.”

We're proud to support National Manufacturing Day 2024 🎉 It’s important to recognise the vital role sustainable manufacturing plays in our economy and society. That’s why we’ve been involved in many Make UK projects in recent years - from business leader panels to its Net Zero pathway. We’ve also received a number of Make UK awards in recognition of our work on sustainable manufacturing (take a look for yourself at https://lnkd.in/edNPYkh3). 🔧 As a Carbon Neutral business, we believe in sustainability. 🔧 As the holder of several ISO certifications, we believe that high standards are crucial for success and innovation. 🔧 As an employer of fantastic apprentices, we believe that skills development is key for future growth. Make UK works to advance the manufacturing sector, providing research and supporting innovation. And #NMD2024 reminds people of the key role manufacturing plays in communities nationwide. Here in Leicester, we’re proud to contribute to the sector, driving innovation, creating jobs, and supporting sustainable #UKmfg practices. Learn more about our sustainable manufacturing at https://lnkd.in/eBDkMFBZ

We were delighted to recognise the Business Woman of the Year 🎉 Congratulations to Andrea Gray, who took the top prize at the 2024 Enterprising Women Awards. Michael Smith Switchgear Ltd is proud to sponsor the category - and Emily Smith was there to present the award. It was a memorable night at Winstanley House as East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire) again led proceedings. EWA celebrates the contribution of outstanding leaders who make a significant contribution to our region's business - across a host of industries. Thanks to Eileen Perry (Richards) MBE DL, Jean Mountain and Emma Jesson for doing such a great job of hosting. And congratulations to all the winners and finalists!

We're really pleased to feature in ECN again this month 📰 Sean writes for the September edition about the importance of BS EN 61439. He covers how the standard relating to the manufacture of low voltage switchgear and controlgear assemblies was updated a decade ago. And - considering progress made in the intervening years - Sean tells ECN readers: "It’s quite rare that issues arise with LV switchgear assemblies. "When they do, it can be years after installation - and the consequences can be catastrophic. "Increased load and prematurely ageing materials can cause under-rated components and poorly-designed assemblies to overheat and catch fire. "BS EN 61439 redefined the minimum standard of how assemblies are designed, constructed and installed. "In one fell swoop, the Standard brought new order, safety, and reliability to the design, manufacture, and assembly of low voltage switchgear and controlgear assemblies." Thanks to Carly for commissioning the article and for all the Electrical Contracting News (ECN) readers engaging with it!

🏅 Our MD has been out running again 🏃 Sean Smith completed The Great North Run this weekend  in an amazing 1h 55m 15s - despite training challenges! 👏 Sean ran to raise money for The Bodie Hodges Foundation, a charity dedicated to providing vital support services to those bereaved of a child.   He said: “Training had gone ok but not fully to plan. I would be kidding myself if I said I was fully ready for the largest half marathon in the world, but I felt good. “I went out and gave it everything I could. After 14km I had to slow down a little as my heart rate was at 192bpm and that probably wouldn't have ended too well.” He added: “It was great to run as part of #TeamBodie. The work they do is truly inspirational!” There is still time to donate, click here ➡️ https://lnkd.in/eHrqbVbF

LV switchboards for distribution centres ⚡ In this case, we were commissioned to manufacture two Form 4 Type 2 LV boards. Our client manages large distribution warehouses in the Midlands and had a particular set of requirements. ✅ We designed and built two new switchboards (one 1250A and one 3200A) in our Leicester workshop. ✅ We then sent our team to deliver the boards at two of the client’s distribution centres. “The client was really pleased with the finished solution that we provided for them,” said our MD Sean Smith. Want to know more about our products? ➡ https://lnkd.in/evgba5Xj

Great to have been able to contribute to this fantastic edition of the Electrical Contracting News (ECN) magazine. Page 52 has the article where we talk about best practise within the industry and British Standards compliance. Safety is paramount in our industry. Michael Smith Switchgear Ltd is proud to be a member of BEAMA, the trade association for our sector of the industry and I am extremely honoured to Chair the ESPG Management committee within it. Thank you to Carly Weller for the article. George Oliver | Nick Hayler - CEng MIET | Emily Smith | Liam Beattie | Adrian Meijer | Thomas Gibson | Amy Fisher | Vanessa Hoang | Yselkla Farmer | Charlie May