78 | Industrial Switchboards � Bernadette Cooney Switchboards tailored to client needs Hamilton-based Industrial Switchboards Ltd (ISL) has proved itself a trusted partner in the field – designing and manufacturing cutting-edge, top-quality switchboards for some of New Zealand’s largest and most critical facilities. ENGINEERING When it comes to industrial switchgear and control systems, having a reliable and experienced partner is crucial to ensuring projects are expertly designed and delivered on time. Hamilton-based Industrial Switchboards Ltd (ISL) has proved itself a trusted partner in the field – designing and manufacturing cutting-edge, top-quality switchboards for some of New Zealand’s largest and most critical facilities. Led by Eric Griffin and Matt Pehi, ISL is committed to delivering the best switchboard solutions, ensuring efficiency, safety, and longevity for their clients. Matt and Eric bring 50 years of combined switchboard-building experience and are both registered electricians. “We’re a safe pair of hands for industrial, commercial, civil and rural projects throughout New Zealand, and we’ve completed projects in Australia also,” says Eric. Despite being a relatively young company – turning four this June – ISL boasts decades of collective experience. “The company is young, but our staff have been doing this for a very long time,” says Eric. “We have a team of eight, highly skilled electricians, engineers, and apprentices providing end-to-end solutions for power stations, wastewater treatment plants, factories, manufacturing facilities, and commercial buildings.” The company partners with global giants like Siemens, Schneider Electric, ABB, and Terasaki, ensuring clients receive the best technology available. That’s an important distinction, says Eric, as it pays to engage only reputed and experienced trade suppliers. Selecting the right switchboard provider is essential for ensuring operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness in the long run. “I’ve seen too many cases where a company purchases a switchboard that isn’t fit for purpose. Just five years after initial purchase, the client needs to add new machines, but can’t because the initial design was short-sighted. “Pay a little more now, and it will pay dividends later. It’s about providing the best solution for the client’s current and future requirements, the needs of the installing electricians, and the safety of the people that operate the equipment. “A well-designed switchboard should accommodate future expansion and minimise long-term costs,” says Eric. ISL has been at the forefront of several high-profile projects, demonstrating its ability to deliver high-performance switchgear solutions under tight deadlines. One such project was at the Waitoa Industrial Estate, where ISL provided switchgear for a tannery, meat processing, and a super rendering plant. “We designed and built all the motor control centres, main switchboards, and PLC cabinets for that project.” Another significant project involved Taranaki Bioproducts. After a devastating fire in 2021 destroyed their factory, ISL played a critical role in rebuilding their switch room and switchgear in record time. “We built two very large motor control centres for them, delivering the entire solution in double-quick time.” Following the destruction caused by Cyclone Gabrielle, ISL stepped in to assist Hawke’s Bay Protein, whose factory had been flooded, rendering their switchboards useless. “ISL designed and built a large 2500-Amp switchboard with staged deliveries to ensure the new switchboard was fully commissioned in just eight weeks,” says Eric. ISL is also nearing completion of three large switchboards for the Rotorua Wastewater Treatment Plant. This project is built entirely with Siemens automation products and switchgear. PREMIER ELECTRICAL & NETWORKING SOLUTIONS FOR INDUSTRY Proudly delivering KIKBLOX - an exceptional, versatile, yet simple switchboard system. EXPRESS.ECSNZ.COM 0800 849 2211 SALES@ECSNZ.COM CONTACT US
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