Category: Internal News
AF Switchgear Acquires VAR Services Ltd
After utilising VAR Services Ltd for many years the board of directors an opportunity arose to acquire VAR Services which is an excellent fit for the AF Switchgear Group, completing the purchase of the company in June 2021.
Managing Director Ian Foster said:
“VAR Services offer a comprehensive range of power quality solutions which are requested by AF Switchgear customers frequently. We knew how good VAR Services are from experience, as we have had a long-standing relationship with them utilising their products and services often. It really was a natural fit for us and helped bolster not only in-house expertise in relation to power quality but increased our portfolio of direct offerings to our clients as well”.
So, what do VAR Services offer and why did AF Switchgear acquire them?
The combination of reliable power, increasing energy costs and ever-growing focus on the environmental impact these days highlights the clear need for effective power quality.
VAR Services offer Power Factor Correction Solutions, Active Harmonic Filters, Voltage Stabilisers, Load Monitoring and Surge Protection etc.
What Do VAR Services Ltd Offer?
Products
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APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR AWARD 2020
In partnership with our training provider, West Notts College it was with pleasure that we were once again able to present this prestigious annual award.
Despite all the challenges thrown at our apprentices, not least those of virtual classrooms we are very pleased to announce that we had two outstanding candidates whom the awarding authority voted for to receive the award.
Both having demonstrated excellent qualities in a number of key performance-related categories in regard to their individual training plans.
So on behalf of all staff at AF Switchgear, congratulations to:
Jack Glebocki – Fabricator and Welder Apprentice
Kai Lancashire – Electrical Apprentice
Presented by Managing Director, Ian Foster and Operations Manager, Mike Ratcliffe both received a trophy, a £250 tool voucher from our sponsor Protrade Tools and Fixings plus a box of our very own AF Switchbeer!
Techincal Director Mike Harris Retires
After 23 years of loyal service at AF Switchgear, our Mike Harris retired his role yesterday on the 31st March as Technical Director.
He started his Engineering Career in the West Country (Cornwall to be precise!) well over 50 years ago before moving onto senior roles at Applied Energy and Brentford Electric.
Mike’s achievements over the years have had an immense impact on our company and through ingenuity and passion, completely changed the way we build and operate today.
It is no exaggeration to say, the whole team has benefited from Mike’s experience and technical guidance over the last 23 years, and for that, we owe him a debt of gratitude.
Fortunately, though we are not having to say goodbye quite yet!
Mike will be working for AF Switchgear in a part-time consultancy role from next month, assisting in product development and technical assistance.
So from all the staff at AF Switchgear, we wish you well Mike and we look forward to working with you on the other side!
Achilles BuildingConfidence Advanced
AF Switchgear Is Now a Validated Achilles BuildingConfidence Advanced Member
In addition to our Achilles TransQ Global accreditation for the Transport sector, AF Switchgear can now proudly announce that the company is now also a validated Achilles BuildingConfidence Advanced Member for the Construction sector.
Achilles is a Supply Chain Management system which collects and validates supplier data to mitigate risk. Achilles use a registration process, risk models, comprehensive pre-qualification questionnaires and (for advanced members) a two day audit, to create a platform where buyers can find qualified partners and suppliers who can prove their credentials.
Achilles work across 10 sectors and more than 20 countries.
What is the Achilles BuildingConfidence Advanced Membership?
This is official certification to recognise companies that meet standards in the Safety Schemes in Procurement (SSIP) and the Common Assessment Standard (CAS). This means AF Switchgear are officially a business that provides safety first in all levels of service.
This membership also connects suppliers and buyers nationwide and the scheme helps to build and support lasting business relationships within the health & safety and construction industries.
The main goals of the Achilles BuildingConfidence scheme is to:
- Boost business credibility
- Enhance company reputation and value
- Increase opportunities for the business
- Identify any areas for improvement
Contact Our Team
AF Switchgear is a proud Achilles BuildingConfidence member.
For all enquiries contact our team on +44 1623 555 600 or via email to sales@afswitchgear.co.uk.
Covid-19 Update
At AF Switchgear we have a dedicated Incident Response Management team under the umbrella name ‘AF irm’. As a result the team have produced a risk assessment to ensure our employees and visitors are working safely during the COVID-19 outbreak.
The risk assessment sets out safe systems of work in order to manage the risk within the business and sets out measures to ensure social distancing. Emphasis is also placed on the physical and mental wellbeing of all employees by introducing appropriate cleaning and hygiene procedures across all Group activities.
AF Switchgear upgrade to EFACS E/8
We Have Migrated to a New ERP Solution
Enterprise Resource Planning – in other words, ERP!
AF Switchgear is pleased to announce that with the help of our key partners at Exel Computer Systems plc, we have recently migrated to the new EFACS E/8 Enterprise Resource Planning solution.
This is a major step-change for the organisation and involved a complete review of all legacy processes. The E/8 system was stress-tested to ensure that the technology and automation features coupled with the design innovation as a package, met our needs as a business and delivered the immediate benefits we were looking for.
Now the new ERP system is in place, further enhancements and modules will now be added to improve production scheduling, stock control, shop floor data capture plus field service reporting which will follow later this year.
Special mention must also go out to Richard King and Lee Harding both from Exel for their support throughout the whole process.
What is ERP?
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) is a simplified integration of business process management and implements everything into one system. At AF Switchgear we use ERP for Production purposes mainly. This means it is easier to streamline projects and meet (and even surpass if possible) set deadlines.
Need a Switchgear Solution?
Our experienced team of switchgear and power distribution specialists are available to help you today. For help and advice, contact us on +44 1623 555 600 or email us at sales@afswitchgear.co.uk.
25 Years Anniversary – Stan Carter
Happy Anniversary to One of AF Switchgear’s finest
At AF Switchgear, we are fortunate to have many long-term serving employees established in our workforce.
Stan Carter is no exception; having reached his 25-year milestone just recently, Stan was presented with a bottle of bubbly and some holiday vouchers by our Operations Manager, Mike Ratcliffe to celebrate this milestone achievement. Stan joined AF Switchgear back in 1995 from Sutton Riley Engineering as a Switchgear Panel Assembly Team Leader and has remained a valued member of the Production Team ever since.
In those days, there were just 15 production staff building AF Switchgear panels; today there is more than 80 production staff, so Stan has certainly seen some significant changes and growth over the years! On behalf of the company, we wish to congratulate Stan and thank him for his many years of service to the company.
*presentation and photo were taken just before lockdown phase
Why AF Switchgear?
We are one of the UK’s leading and largest switchgear manufacturers. With a combination of decades of experience within the electrical industry and power distribution industry, we set the standard for LV Switchgear and other relevant leading products.
We provide bespoke solutions in:
Do you require assistance with a switchgear or power distribution system? Contact our experts on +44 1623 555 600 today or email us at sales@afswitchgear.co.uk.
Open Evening Update
AF Switchgear was due to hold a specialist Open Evening in conjunction with the West Nottinghamshire College Apprenticeship Service on the 25th March 2020. However, due to the current Coronavirus epidemic, we have regretfully decided to cancel this event.
We have a duty of care to our employees and those of the public so have decided, in-line with the current government and proposed advice the company felt it had no choice but to cancel the planned event. This is a decision that has not been taken lightly particularly given the numbers of invitees that were due to attend the event, currently well over 100 people.
On the bright side, the WNC is still planning to run assessments on the 15th and 16th April, so candidates should be aware that they will still need to attend those. After the assessment period, low key visits for selected candidates including their guardians will be arranged.
Again, special thanks to Ricky Singh and Lee Speed for helping with this recruitment drive, your efforts are very much appreciated and Good Luck to all the candidates.
AF Switchgear is delighted to announce our 2021 Apprentice of the Year winner, Annie Kirk!
Annie has been working in our Central Services Department covering a myriad of essential administration and support tasks for the company throughout the year.
Annie is pictured here with Mike Ratcliffe, Operations Manager and Central Services Director, Sharon Armiger.
Sharon said, “Well done to Annie, this award was well deserved – she has been a star”.
Congratulations to Annie from all at AF Switchgear.