MSSL wins Environmental Product of the Year at Data Centre World Awards

Michael Smith Switchgear Ltd has won Environmental Product of the Year at the Data Centre World Awards, for its LV switchgear R&D.

The work delivers a 25% reduction in copper use - supporting the long-term sustainability of greener, more resilient data centres. 

The annual awards sit within Data Centre World, one of Europe’s best‑known digital infrastructure conferences and part of the wider Tech Show London at ExCeL London.

This year’s Environmental Product category focused on products that cut emissions, reduce waste and extend equipment lifecycles as data centres move towards zero‑carbon operations.

MSSL’s switchboards deliver measurable carbon and materials reductions and builds on over 30 years of supplying critical power solutions to data centres across the UK.

Managing Director Sean Smith said: “Data Centre World is a key event for us, so to win an award for our switchgear R&D so soon after the King’s Award means a lot to the whole team. 

“To cut carbon for both MSSL and our clients through innovative design feels especially important at a time when the data centre industry is under real pressure to grow fast and reduce its environmental impact at the same time.”

Award-winning environmental design

MSSL’s LV switchgear delivers a 25% reduction in copper use through re‑engineered busbar layouts and panel designs, reducing the impact of raw material extraction.

Panels are designed and manufactured to BS EN IEC 61439‑2, keeping safety, compliance and uptime front and centre for AI‑ready and high‑performance computing environments.

End‑to‑end in‑house design, build and installation give MSSL tight control over quality and lifecycle performance, supporting long service life, simpler maintenance and easier end‑of‑life recycling.

On top of this integrated energy and thermal monitoring sensors give operators live visibility of power and heat, helping them identify and remove up to 21% energy inefficiency.

MSSL became a verified carbon‑neutral manufacturer in 2022 after a long‑term programme of environmental action led by Sean and Operations and Finance Director Emily Smith. In 2025 it received The King’s Award for Enterprise for Sustainable Development, recognising a 60% cut in carbon emissions since 2018 alongside continued growth.

Factory initiatives include: 

• rooftop solar providing more than one‑third of site electricity
• renewable power for the remainder
• diverting all general waste from landfill
• investing in efficient machinery

These initiatives sit behind MSSL’s R&D and product innovation - helping data centres scale AI and high‑performance computing without losing sight of Net Zero goals.