November 25, 2024
Sean Smith has led rapid expansion to employing 54 people in Leicester
Michael Smith Switchgear managing director Sean Smith has marked 20 years with the multi award-winning company.
Sean joined the business as a panelbuilder / wireman in 2004 when it was operating from the yard of a terraced house off Saffron Lane in Leicester.
Two decades later, Michael Smith Switchgear and sister company AVW Fabrications employ 54 people and turn over a combined £8.5 million.
“It’s amazing to see how the business has transformed over the last two decades,” he said.
“In 2004 we were operating a workshop in the yard of a terrace in Clifton Road, now we have a purpose-built site that achieved carbon neutral status two years ago.
“Obviously, none of that would have been possible without the team we have here and I want to thank them for being a part of our journey and for everything they do.”
Founded in 1985, Michael Smith Switchgear specialises in the design, manufacture and installation of LV switchgear assemblies and control panels for large commercial premises, including data centres, hospitals and distribution centres.
Sean spent his first three years at the company moving from the workshop through to the engineering team.
After gaining his qualifications as an electrical and electronic engineer, he became a director in 2011. A year later he was made Managing Director.
Sean then oversaw the company’s move to a purpose-built industrial unit in Whetstone in 2012. In the same year, Sean led the management buyout of the business, before overseeing its expansion to its own, expanded unit in Braunstone Frith in 2017.
The move consolidated existing operations into a single larger site in order to cater for record demand.
The company remains at the location today, having invested in further extended the building and slashed its carbon footprint by introducing a string of sustainability measures.
At the same time, Sean has pushed Michael Smith Switchgear forward as a standard-bearer for low carbon manufacturing and delivery to highest safety standards.
He led design changes and the testing programme for BS EN IEC 61439-2 and chairs the ESPG Management Committee at energy technology trade association BEAMA. Sean is also a member of its Low Voltage Switchboard Technical Committee.
A trained mental health first aider, Sean has a keen interest in working with partners to increase apprenticeship opportunities for future engineers.
“Our journey is far from over - we continue to work towards our ambitious growth plans as well as the essential work needed to get the business to Net Zero, for our future generations” he added.
