3 minute read - 10th September 2024
Schneider Electric to invest £42m in new manufacturing plant
Schneider Electric is investing £42m in a new manufacturing facility in Scarborough, North Yorkshire. More than 200 jobs will be created to meet the increased demand for electrical equipment to drive the UK’s move to cleaner energy including renewable energy sources, electric vehicles, and intelligent, energy-efficient buildings.
Scarborough is a long-established manufacturing base for Schneider Electric, where it currently employs 450 people. The firm’s latest investment in Scarborough is in addition to a £7.2m facility upgrade to its site in Leeds, announced in October 2023, meaning the company will create more than 300 jobs in Yorkshire over the next ten years.
The site, which is almost triple the size of Schneider Electric’s existing Scarborough facility, is poised to become a net zero plant and will use modern technology to reduce energy waste and maximise the use of renewable energy. It is expected to be net zero in Scope 1 and 2 emissions when it opens in early 2025.
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Schneider Electric is investing £42m and creating 200 new jobs at a new manufacturing facility in Scarborough / Picture: Schneider Electric
Some 30% of the facility’s energy will be produced by a state-of-the art solar energy system, with solar panels covering 50% of the roof, to ensure the building harnesses solar energy efficiently and any energy consumed on site from the national grid will be “renewable certified” the company says.
An intelligent Building Management System, based on Schneider Electric’s EcoStruxure platform, will ensure energy-efficient operations including light sensors, automated heating and cooling and it will feature one of the first fully-electric paint lines in Europe to support decarbonised operations.
The site is designed to be environmentally friendly, with sustainable transport options for employees and will be targeting a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating. Employees will have access to 30 EV chargers on site.
The site, which is almost triple the size of Schneider Electric’s existing Scarborough facility, is poised to become a net zero plant / Picture: Schneider Electric
Kelly Becker, president for Schneider Electric UK & Ireland, Belgium & Netherlands, said: “Sustainability is at the core of our purpose, culture and business. We’re proud to be investing in and developing innovative solutions which will deliver immediate and lasting decarbonisation in the UK, while bolstering the creation of local, green jobs in Yorkshire. The region has long been part of our operational presence in the UK, and we’re excited to expand this as part of our commitment to investing in the UK’s green economy.”
Jonathan Reynolds, business and trade secretary, added: “This huge investment from Schneider Electric will not only safeguard existing jobs but create 200 new ones. Increasing investment is a mission at the heart of this government, and our modern Industrial Strategy will help us deliver long-term, stable growth that supports skilled jobs. Our commitment to becoming a clean energy superpower is steadfast, and investments like these in North Yorkshire make a huge contribution to bolstering the UK as a leader in energy management and automation.”
Schneider Electric specialises in the manufacture of low-voltage switchgears which protect and distribute electricity and are crucial to the rollout of sustainable and energy-efficient operations such as EV charging infrastructure and net-zero buildings.
