History of AF Switchgear

LayingThe Foundations

The company was formed in August 1974, by Brian Astley and Harry Foster, at premises in Lichfield, Staffordshire. Harry and Brian had both been previously employed as Sales Managers at Dorman Smith Switchgear.
 
Harry Foster took full control of the company in 1980 and opened a new manufacturing facility in Meadow Lane, Alfreton. During the 1980's the client base increased and a reputation for engineering quality and flexibility, maintained today, was established.

The 1990's
 
In 1991, the company relocated to larger premises on Hockley Way in Alfreton and experienced a four-fold expansion during the 1990's. In 1997 a landmark move to our current site on Nunn Brook Road in Sutton-in-Ashfield took place. Within three years, the opportunity to purchase a co-sited facility and development land was seized - doubling our office and workshop capacity.

The New Millenium
 
Ian Foster succeeded Harry Foster as Managing Director in 2000 and the current Management team was established. In the following years, accreditation to BS EN ISO 9001:2000 and the development and full type test approval of switchgear assemblies was achieved.
 
In 2008 with over 150 employees, a 15,000sq ft factory extension was opened along with an in house sheet metal fabrication subsidiary.