🥳 At the end of July we celebrated our 50th Anniversary in true AF Switchgear style with a huge party for all employees plus partners.
We had a marquee on site, a band, caterers, bars, magicians, caricaturist, 360 photo booth and lots more.
A great day was enjoyed by all and the weather was perfect. ☀️
🎉 Celebrating 50 Years of AF Switchgear 🎉
On 1st August 2024, to finish the anniversary celebrations, Harry & Sandra Foster held a dinner for all current and previous directors 50 years to the day since they incorporated the company on 1st August 1974.
AFSwitchgearturns50 weare50
🎉 Celebrating 50 Years of Excellence! 🎉
As many of you know, this year marks a significant milestone for us as we celebrate 50 years of innovation, dedication, and service in the electrical switchgear industry. Since our founding in 1974, AF Switchgear has been committed to providing top-quality products and solutions to meet the ever-evolving needs of our clients.
Over the past five decades, we have grown from a small startup to a leading name in the industry, thanks to the hard work and passion of our incredible team and the unwavering support of our valued customers and partners.
As we reflect on our journey, we are proud of the achievements and advancements we’ve made. From pioneering new technologies to setting industry standards, our mission has always been to deliver excellence and reliability.
Thank you to everyone who has been part of our story. Here’s to the next 50 years of innovation and success together!
Click here to read your copy 50th Newsletter
Last Saturday 13th July AF Switchgear supported Ramsdale Park Golf Club Captains Annual Charity Day with 6 teams entered (24 players).
The day comprised of teams competing in a fourball Stableford format with the best two from four to score on each hole. Well done to one of our AF Switchgear teams who finished in third place.
Thanks to Club Captain Dene Parsons and Club President Danny Harkin who is the main charity organiser for the event.
A charity auction was held in the evening, this year the charities supported are Emmanuel House and Base 51.
The club has raised over £300,000 since this event started approximately 20 years ago.
We are super proud to announce that Mark Nutt on behalf of AF Switchgear has come in at No 77.
This is a fantastic achievement by the team and timely recognition for all of our hard work in what is our 50th Anniversary year.
E2E 100 is a significant initiative designed to showcase the very best British companies that are excelling, experiencing consistent growth, and presenting disruptive business strategies creating an impact not just in their own sector, but also on a nationwide and in some cases a global scale.
Last week AF Switchgear competed in the Scitech Construction Cup 2024 at Crystal Palace Football Club, a 5 a side charity tournament.
20 teams in total took part helping to raise funds for Unseen UK a charity dedicated to combatting modern slavery and supporting those vulnerable to exploitation.
It was a great day, thoroughly enjoyed by all and our team got through to the semi-final 👏🏽 👏🏽 well done TeamAF
AF Switchgear are proud to announce that we are an approved Schneider Electric Data Centre Powertrain Specialisation Partner.
Nowadays the huge growth of the data center market is imposing new approaches in the design, build and commissioning of the electrical infrastructures, able to bring fast and flexible deployment in the different geographies.
Hence, the architectures standardisation and skid or prefab mounting concepts were deployed largely on the market place.
Data Center Powertrain Specialisation initiative of Schneider Electric is an exciting opportunity to address these new demands, by promoting end-to-end solutions to end-users and specifiers to operate on this market.
Those solutions rely on standard and repeatable blocks allowing productivity and savings by: cost optimisation, certified performances, simple execution and commissioning, reduced lead time.
After going through the whole Schneider Data Centre Powertrain Specialisation Partner Training AF Switchgear can now address all your Powertrain needs backed by Schneider Electric.
A F Switchgear Ltd celebrates 50 years as ECA Member
As well as celebrating our 50th Year Anniversary, we are also celebrating 50 years as a Member of ECA – the UK’s leading trade association for electrotechnical and engineering services organisations.
We joined ECA in 1974. Since then we have undertaken a range of design, build and testing of bespoke LV distribution solutions activity.
ECA Director of Member Services Helen Atkinson added:
“The ECA is delighted that A F Switchgear Ltd is celebrating this considerable milestone. ECA membership offers an unbeatable package of resources, advice, and benefits, as well as the ability to network with the rest of ECA’s membership base. We look forward to continued collaboration with A F Switchgear Ltd in the years ahead.”
ECA has around 2,700 Members, who undertake a range of electrotechnical design, installation, inspection, testing, monitoring, and maintenance work. ECA members range from SME electrical firms to nationwide engineering services businesses, with a combined turnover of over £6 billion annually.
In addition, ECA runs a range of associate programmes for manufacturers, distributors, consultants, training providers, educators, specifiers, and end clients working within the electrotechnical arena.
AF Switchgear is pleased to announce that five members of our team will be in Cannes 4th-6th June 2024.
In attendance this year will be Managing Director Ian Foster, Group Sales Director Richard Thompson, Sales Manager Nino Estevez, Sales Manager Harry Foster and Sales Engineer Sam Foster.
We look forward to seeing our customers, colleagues, and industry peers throughout the week.
We have recently taken delivery of a new TRUMPF TruBend 5130 Press Brake (5 Axis Machine).
This recent addition to AF Switchgear will see an increase of throughput on the Press Brake cell by 50%, on both days and the afternoon shift with an overall increase to manufacturing hours of 73 hours per week.
TruBend 5130 Specification
Machine C frame
5 Axis Back gauge
3m Press beam
Spherical bearing of the press beam with press beam tilting
On-Demand Servo Drive with 4-cylinder technology
Distance measurement system (Y axis) with dynamic.
deflection compensation
Hydraulic oil filling (life-long fill)
Gauge fingers (two pieces)
TRUMPF hydraulic lower tool clamp
Touchpoint TruBend machine control
User management system
USB interface
RJ45 network interface
Network capability.
Remote support interface
Operating unit with foot switch
Communications rail
Mobile Control
CE marking and EC Machinery Directive
Standard safety device
Rear roller gate
Advanced standard configuration
Height adjustable operating panel arm
This recent purchase will also create additional skilled resource required from within the local areas of AF Switchgear.
