Underwoods Electrical Distributors
Underwoods Electrical Distributors is a UK-based, Siemens Certified Platinum Partner that distributes industrial automation components (PLCs, drives, HMI, sensors, safety) from ten-plus principals to UK manufacturing OEMs and end-users, supplemented by in-house technical support, repairs, and training.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1953
- HeadquartersBristol, United Kingdom
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Underwoods Electrical Distributors does
Underwoods Electrical Distributors Ltd. is a UK-based privately-held industrial automation distributor operating from a single headquarters branch in Enfield with UK-wide delivery capability. The company distributes programmable logic controllers, human-machine interface panels, industrial PCs, variable frequency drives, I/O systems, industrial controls, networking equipment, power supplies, and process instrumentation from a portfolio of authorised manufacturer partnerships. Its flagship relationship is with Siemens, for which it holds Certified Platinum Distribution Partner status, described as held by only a very few UK distributors and granting access to the complete Siemens hardware and software portfolio with full technical and commercial support. Complementary distribution agreements cover Omron, SICK, Phoenix Contact, Fortress, Lapp, Cembre, Schmersal, Ewon, and most recently SMC Pneumatic Automation.
Revenue is generated through two streams: hardware product sales (unit-priced catalogue items sold via e-commerce and trade accounts) and technical services (in-house technical support, equipment repairs and custom test rig development, plus training workshops such as the TIA Portal V21 three-day course). Customers are UK manufacturing OEMs and end-users requiring components for factory and process automation, with pain points centred on component selection, PLC configuration, motion control, safety system implementation, and rapid availability. Trade accounts provide special pricing, credit facilities, and 24/7 online access, while SMB and individual buyers can purchase via the website with collection from Enfield within one hour or nationwide delivery.
The go-to-market is sales-led with a technical-support layer as the stated differentiator, complemented by content marketing (technical resources, e-brochures, case studies), an email newsletter, training workshops, and online configurators. The company presents itself as a specialist technical distributor rather than a volume generalist, positioning certified product and system expertise, application know-how, and branch stock availability as the basis of customer value.
Underwoods Electrical Distributors firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Underwoods Electrical Distributors
- Legal name
- Underwoods Electrical Distributors Ltd.
- Website
- https://ued.co.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1953
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Underwoods Electrical Distributors is a UK-based, Siemens Certified Platinum Partner that distributes industrial automation components (PLCs, drives, HMI, sensors, safety) from ten-plus principals to UK manufacturing OEMs and end-users, supplemented by in-house technical support, repairs, and training.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Underwoods Electrical Distributors industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Industrial Automation Distribution
- SIC
- Wholesale-Industrial Machinery & Equipment (5084), Wholesale-Electronic Parts & Equipment, Nec (5065)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Industrial Controllers & Control Systems (PLCs, PACs, CNC Controllers) (IMAHAHAH)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Process Automation Instrumentation & Control (DCS, Valves, Actuators, Analyzers) (IMAHAHAM)
Keywords
Where Underwoods Electrical Distributors is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Bristol
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Underwoods Electrical Distributors business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Hardware Product Sales: Distribution of industrial automation components including PLCs, sensors, drives, HMI panels, and related accessories from authorised manufacturer partnerships.
- Technical Services: Technical support, repairs and test rigs, and training workshops provided to support product sales and customer applications.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Standard product pricing for trade customers |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels4 records
Underwoods Electrical Distributors product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Underwoods Electrical Distributors is a UK-based technical automation distributor that sells industrial automation components from manufacturers such as Siemens (as a Certified Platinum Partner), Omron, SICK, Phoenix Contact, Fortress, Lapp, Cembre, Schmersal, Ewon, and SMC Pneumatic Automation. Its core offerings are PLCs, HMI panels, industrial PCs, drives, I/O systems, sensors, safety devices, cabling, power supplies, and TIA Portal software, alongside in-house technical support, repair and test-rig services, and TIA Portal training workshops for UK manufacturing customers.
Product overview
Underwoods Electrical Distributors is a UK-based technical automation distributor offering a comprehensive portfolio of industrial automation products and services. As a Siemens Certified Platinum Partner, the company distributes products across multiple manufacturers including Siemens, Omron, SICK, Phoenix Contact, Fortress, Lapp, Cembre, Schmersal, and Ewon. The product range centers on Siemens automation hardware including SIMATIC PLC systems (S7-1200, S7-1200 G2, S7-1500, LOGO, S7-300, S7-400), HMI panels, industrial PCs, SINAMICS drive technology, I/O systems, industrial controls, power supplies, and TIA Portal engineering software. Complementary product lines from Omron (PLCs, motion drives, sensors), SICK (sensors, encoders, safety), Phoenix Contact (automation, communication, marking), Fortress (safety interlocks), Lapp (cables, connectors), and Ewon (IoT gateways) extend the portfolio. The company provides technical support, repairs and test rig services, and training workshops alongside product distribution.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Siemens PLC Systems
- Siemens HMI Panels
- Siemens Industrial PCs
- Siemens Drive Technology
- Siemens I/O Systems
- Siemens Industrial Controls
- Siemens Industrial Communication
- Siemens Power Supplies & UPS
- Siemens Industry Software (TIA Portal)
- Siemens Process Instrumentation
- Omron PLC Systems
- Omron Motion & Drives
- Omron Sensing
- SICK Sensors
- Phoenix Contact Automation
- Phoenix Contact Industrial Communication
- Fortress Safety Products
- Lapp Cables & Connectors
- Ewon Industrial IoT Gateways
- Technical Support Services
- Repairs & Test Rigs
- Training & Product Workshops
Companies that use Underwoods Electrical Distributors
Customer profileSegments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Underwoods Electrical Distributors technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Underwoods Electrical Distributors partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.
- SiemenscoreCertified Platinum Distribution Partner - one of the very few in the UK that fully supports the complete Siemens hardware and software portfolio both technically and commercially. Platinum partner status is testament to certified product and system expertise and application know-how.
- SMC Pneumatic AutomationflagshipUnderwoods has become an official UK distributor for SMC Pneumatic Automation - world-class pneumatic automation products fully supported.
- OmroncoreAuthorised distributor for Omron automation products including PLC systems, HMI panels, motion and drives, safety, sensing, and quality control equipment.
- SICKcoreAuthorised distributor for SICK sensors, encoders, safety, identification, and process sensor products.
- Phoenix ContactcoreAuthorised distributor for Phoenix Contact automation, industrial communication, marking and tooling, power supplies, panel products, safety, and terminals.
- FortresscoreAuthorised distributor for Fortress safety products including amGardpro, mGard, tGard trapped key interlocks and REMLIVE safety monitoring.
- LappcoreAuthorised distributor for Lapp cables and connectors including ÖLFLEX, ETHERLINE, UNITRONIC, HITRONIC, EPIC, and SKINTOP products.
- CembrecoreAuthorised distributor for Cembre electrical connectors, tools, marking systems, cable entry systems, and wiring accessories.
- SchmersalcoreAuthorised distributor for Schmersal safety products including safety guard switching, safety light devices, safety command devices, and explosion protection.
- EwoncoreAuthorised distributor for Ewon industrial IoT and remote access solutions including Cosy and Flexy product lines.
Scale indicators1 record
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Underwoods Electrical Distributors competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- City Electrical Factors (CEF): CEF is the UK's largest specialist electrical distributor with a national branch network serving industrial and contractor customers. Comparable to Underwoods on the UK electrical distribution motion, though broader and more installation-focused.
- RS Group (RS Components): RS Group is the UK's largest industrial and electronic product distributor, offering a broad automation catalogue including Siemens, Omron, Phoenix Contact, and Schneider. Directly comparable as a UK-based multi-vendor industrial automation distributor serving OEM and maintenance customers.
- Edmundson Electrical: Edmundson Electrical is a UK electrical wholesaler distributing automation, control, and cabling products. Comparable to Underwoods as a UK-focused distributor serving industrial customers with multi-vendor portfolios.
- Farnell (element14): Farnell/element14 distributes electronic components, industrial automation, and test equipment globally with strong UK operations. Overlaps with Underwoods on automation, sensing, and PLC distribution, serving similar UK manufacturing and engineering customers.
- Rapid Electronics: Rapid Electronics is a UK-based electronic and industrial product distributor with a catalogue spanning automation, control, sensing, and connectors. Compares to Underwoods as a UK-focused multi-line distributor serving industrial and OEM buyers.
Regional players
- Rexel: Rexel is a major European electrical products distributor with UK operations focused on electrical installation, automation, and energy solutions. Comparable as a multi-vendor industrial automation distributor, though headquartered in France and serving broader electrical contractor segments.
- Distrelec: Distrelec is a European industrial automation and electronic components distributor with UK operations. Comparable product range (automation, control, sensing) though headquartered in Switzerland with broader European reach.
Broad incumbents
- Digi-Key Electronics: Digi-Key is a global electronic components distributor with UK operations and an extensive automation/control category. It overlaps with Underwoods on PLCs, sensors, and industrial control but at greater scale and breadth.
- Mouser Electronics: Mouser is a global broadline electronic components distributor with significant UK fulfilment. It competes with Underwoods on the electronic components and industrial automation subset but operates at much larger scale and broader catalogue depth.
Emerging players
- Automation24: Automation24 is a European online-focused industrial automation distributor offering sensors, controllers, and IO-Link products. Comparable to Underwoods in automation distribution but differentiated by a primarily digital, pan-European model.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Underwoods Electrical Distributors social profiles
Digital presenceUnderwoods Electrical Distributors financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Underwoods Electrical Distributors leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Underwoods Electrical Distributors funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Underwoods Electrical Distributors M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Underwoods Electrical Distributors
What does Underwoods Electrical Distributors do?
Underwoods Electrical Distributors is a UK-based technical automation distributor that sells industrial automation components from manufacturers such as Siemens (as a Certified Platinum Partner), Omron, SICK, Phoenix Contact, Fortress, Lapp, Cembre, Schmersal, Ewon, and SMC Pneumatic Automation. Its core offerings are PLCs, HMI panels, industrial PCs, drives, I/O systems, sensors, safety devices, cabling, power supplies, and TIA Portal software, alongside in-house technical support, repair and test-rig services, and TIA Portal training workshops for UK manufacturing customers.
Is Underwoods Electrical Distributors a public or private company?
Underwoods Electrical Distributors is a private company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was Underwoods Electrical Distributors founded?
Underwoods Electrical Distributors was founded in 1953. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Underwoods Electrical Distributors based?
Underwoods Electrical Distributors is headquartered in Bristol, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Underwoods Electrical Distributors make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Hardware Product Sales are the primary driver. The others are technical Services.
Who are Underwoods Electrical Distributors's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are City Electrical Factors (CEF), RS Group (RS Components), Edmundson Electrical, Farnell (element14) and Rapid Electronics. Regional players are Rexel and Distrelec. Broad incumbents are Digi-Key Electronics and Mouser Electronics. Automation24 is listed as an emerging player.
Does Underwoods Electrical Distributors have an API?
No public API is recorded for Underwoods Electrical Distributors.
What industry is Underwoods Electrical Distributors in?
Underwoods Electrical Distributors's product category is Industrial Automation Distribution. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAHAHAH, Industrial Controllers & Control Systems (PLCs, PACs, CNC Controllers), with a secondary code of IMAHAHAM, Process Automation Instrumentation & Control (DCS, Valves, Actuators, Analyzers). Its SIC code is 5084.