CEMA
CEMA Ltd is a Nottingham-based electrical engineering firm designing and manufacturing power distribution switchboards, motor control centres, ICA panels, and PLC/SCADA integration services for UK water and wastewater utilities under multi-year framework agreements.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1987
- HeadquartersNottingham, United Kingdom
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What CEMA does
CEMA Ltd is a Nottingham-headquartered electrical engineering company founded in 1987, specializing in design, manufacture, and integration of low voltage distribution boards, motor control centres, and control panels for the UK water and wastewater industry. Its core technical portfolio spans Power Distribution Switchboards up to 4000A with DEKRA-certified busbar systems (80kA fault withstand), Motor Control Centres in Form 1–4 configurations, Intelligent Motor Control Centres with embedded diagnostics for predictive maintenance, Local Control Panels, and PLC-based ICA (Instrumentation, Control and Automation) Panels. Complementary service lines cover PLC/SCADA software and systems integration, MEICA delivery, CDM management, fibre optic communication networks, telemetry systems, and PLC asset replacement with cybersecurity hardening. All design, manufacture, software development, and systems integration operate from a single Nottingham facility, enabling integrated project delivery with reduced lead times.
The company sells exclusively to UK enterprise customers — primarily the major UK water utilities (Severn Trent, United Utilities, Yorkshire Water, Thames Water, Northumbrian Water, Welsh Water) plus water-industry buyers such as Xylem and the Environment Agency — through multi-year framework agreements and repeat contracts. GTM is enterprise field sales with early engagement during client design phases; CEMA holds Recognised System Integrator status with Rockwell Automation, Approved Automation Partner status with Mitsubishi Electric, and Alliance Registered status with Schneider Electric. CEMA Ltd is the foundation entity of the CEMA Group, which also includes Lloyd Morris Electrical, Labtec Services, Sandiacre Metal Solutions, and Nottingham Crane Hire, collectively generating over £50m in turnover across 200+ employees. The Group is privately held, with no disclosed institutional investors and growth funded organically. Recent strategic emphasis includes cybersecurity-hardened PLC upgrades and IMCC productization, aligned with UK water sector regulatory drivers such as the Storm Overflow Discharge Programme.
CEMA firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- CEMA
- Legal name
- CEMA Limited
- Website
- https://cemaltd.co.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1987
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- CEMA Ltd is a Nottingham-based electrical engineering firm designing and manufacturing power distribution switchboards, motor control centres, ICA panels, and PLC/SCADA integration services for UK water and wastewater utilities under multi-year framework agreements.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
CEMA industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Electrical Engineering & Automation for Water Industry
- NAICS
- Switchgear and Switchboard Apparatus Manufacturing (335313), Relay and Industrial Control Manufacturing (335314), Electrical Equipment Manufacturing (3353)
- SIC
- Switchgear & Switchboard Apparatus (3613), Electrical Industrial Apparatus (3620), Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Industrial Control Panels & Enclosures (Panel Building, MCCs, Integration) (IMAGABAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Low-Voltage Switchboards & Panelboards (LV distribution panels, MCCs, switchboards) (IMAGAEAA), SCADA, Instrumentation & Controls Integration for Water/Wastewater Projects (IMAFAGAK)
Keywords
Where CEMA is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Nottingham
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
CEMA business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Electrical Equipment Manufacturing: Design, manufacture, and supply of electrical assemblies including Power Distribution Switchboards, Motor Control Centres, Intelligent MCCs, Local Control Panels, and ICA Panels for the water and wastewater industry.
- Engineering Services: End-to-end engineering services including software and systems integration, MEICA installation, CDM management, communication networks, telemetry systems, and PLC asset replacement works.
- Framework Contracts: Long-standing framework agreements and repeat contracts with major UK water utilities providing recurring project work across design, installation, testing, commissioning and ongoing support.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Custom project-based pricing through framework agreements |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels3 records
CEMA product offering
Product offeringCore offering
CEMA designs, manufactures and supplies electrical assemblies including Power Distribution Switchboards, Motor Control Centres, Intelligent MCCs, Local Control Panels and ICA panels for the UK water and wastewater industry. It also provides end-to-end engineering services spanning software/systems integration, MEICA installation, telemetry, fibre optics and PLC asset replacement.
Product overview
CEMA Ltd delivers a unified portfolio of electrical engineering and automation solutions for the water and wastewater industry. The core offering consists of five product families: Power Distribution Switchboards (up to 4000A), Motor Control Centres, Intelligent Motor Control Centres with embedded diagnostics, Local Control Panels, and ICA (Instrumentation, Control & Automation) Panels. These products are complemented by six service lines covering the full project lifecycle: Software & Systems Integration (PLC/SCADA), MEICA (Mechanical, Electrical, Instrumentation, Control & Automation), CDM Management, Communication Networks (fibre optics), Telemetry Systems, and PLC Asset Replacement. Together, these products and services form a vertically integrated capability spanning design, manufacture, installation, testing, commissioning, and ongoing support for water industry assets.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Power Distribution Switchboards High-capacity custom switchboards up to 4000A with DEKRA certified busbar systems, fault withstand ratings up to 80kA for 1 second at voltages up to 690V AC. Features automatic changeover between supply sources, built-in harmonic filtration, and bulk power factor correction. For water and wastewater treatment sites.
- Motor Control Centres (MCC) Custom-built MCCs providing centralised motor control and power distribution for pumps, mixers and treatment systems. Available in Form 1 through Form 4 configurations with front/rear access options, IP31 to IP65 ingress protection, and starter options including DOL, ASD, Soft Start, Variable Speed Drive and Low Harmonic Variable Speed Drive.
- Intelligent Motor Control Centres (IMCC) Future-ready MCCs with embedded intelligence for real-time monitoring, diagnostics and energy optimisation. Provides comprehensive diagnostic capability for motor health, load conditions and fault history, enabling predictive and preventive maintenance.
- Local Control Panels Compact, bespoke-built panels for low-power process applications including pumping applications, scrapers, fibre node boxes and telemetry outstations. Configurations available from Form 1 through Form 4 for both indoor and outdoor applications.
- ICA Panels (Instrumentation, Control & Automation) PLC-based control panels for intelligent monitoring and automation that integrate field instrumentation for precise, site-specific control across industrial processes.
- Software & Systems Integration Control system design and PLC/SCADA integration services delivering robust software, intuitive HMIs, and SCADA systems for site-wide visibility, data logging and remote access.
- MEICA (Mechanical, Electrical, Instrumentation, Control & Automation) End-to-end MEICA solutions including design, installation of electrical and communication networks, mechanical integration of pumps and valves, field instrumentation, and comprehensive commissioning.
- CDM Management Construction safety and compliance services under CDM regulations, coordinating duty holders, managing risks, and delivering projects as Principal Designer and Principal Contractor.
- Communication Networks End-to-end fibre optic installation, splicing and commissioning for fast, reliable connectivity including OTDR testing and seamless integration into industrial and control systems.
- Telemetry Systems Real-time monitoring and control solutions for distributed water infrastructure assets, including installation, commissioning and ongoing optimisation services.
- PLC Asset Replacement Seamless upgrades from legacy PLCs to modern, secure systems with phased replacements that minimise downtime, boost performance, and incorporate cybersecurity protections.
Quantifiable outcome
- Reduced installation time through integrated communication protocols and reduced interconnecting cabling with Intelligent MCCs
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use CEMA
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
CEMA technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
CEMA partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Rockwell AutomationcoreRockwell Automation Recognised System Integrator status confirms CEMA's proven capability in designing, implementing, and supporting Allen-Bradley-based automation and control systems aligned with Rockwell Automation's technical and quality standards.
- Mitsubishi ElectriccoreMitsubishi Electric Approved Automation Partner recognition demonstrates CEMA's competence in delivering reliable automation solutions using Mitsubishi Electric technologies, supported by specialist training, technical validation, and manufacturer best practice.
- Schneider ElectriccoreSchneider Electric Alliance Registered status reflects CEMA's alignment with Schneider Electric's ecosystem, providing assurance of delivering compliant, efficient, and scalable solutions using Schneider Electric products and architectures.
- Nottingham CollegecoreCEMA collaborates with Nottingham College to build apprenticeship programmes meeting real industry demands. The partnership includes Level 3 and Level 4 apprenticeship programmes, T Level student work placements, and joint engagement in careers events. CEMA also donated equipment for Nottingham College's new Electrical and Engineering Centre.
- Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET)coreThrough the IET Enterprise Partnership, CEMA actively supports all team members to join and progress with the IET, gaining professional recognition such as TMIET or MIET status. CEMA also provides guidance for staff to achieve professional registration with the Engineering Council including EngTech, IEng, and CEng.
- STEM Ambassador ProgrammeminorCEMA supports staff, including apprentices, to become STEM Ambassadors to share knowledge of engineering with young people in schools and community groups, promoting STEM careers and bridging the skills gap.
- Lloyd Morris ElectricalcorePart of the CEMA Group network of UK companies delivering essential engineering and infrastructure services. Lloyd Morris Electrical adds strength in electrical services within the Group's collective capability.
- Labtec ServicescorePart of the CEMA Group network of UK companies. Labtec Services contributes to the Group's overall capability in design, control panel manufacture, and systems integration.
- Sandiacre Metal SolutionscorePart of the CEMA Group network, providing fabrication capabilities that enhance the Group's overall strength in delivering fully integrated engineering solutions.
- Nottingham Crane HireminorPart of the CEMA Group network, adding Hi-Ab transport and logistics capabilities to support the Group's project delivery nationwide.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
CEMA competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Ross-shire Engineering (RSE): RSE is a UK water-industry MEICA contractor designing, manufacturing and installing control panels, MCCs and process automation systems for Scottish and UK water utilities. Highly comparable to CEMA in product mix (panel build, SCADA, telemetry) and in vertical focus on water and wastewater.
- BGEN: BGEN is a UK-based MEICA specialist delivering electrical, control, instrumentation and automation solutions to the water and wastewater sector. It is the closest direct peer to CEMA in terms of customer base (major UK water utilities), scope (switchboards, MCCs, ICA panels, SCADA integration) and go-to-market through framework agreements.
- Trant Engineering: Trant is a UK multi-sector MEP and process engineering contractor with a strong water-industry practice delivering electrical installations, control systems and MEICA packages. Comparable to CEMA in delivery model and water-utility customer set, though broader in sector reach.
- Morrison Water Services (M Group Services): Morrison Water Services delivers mechanical, electrical and ICA installation, maintenance and capital delivery for UK water utilities as part of M Group. It is a larger-scope competitor than CEMA but addresses the same customers with overlapping electrical/automation capability.
Broad incumbents
- ABB: ABB is a global electrification, motion and process automation major supplying switchgear, drives, motors and control systems to water utilities worldwide. Comparable as a broad incumbent whose products CEMA integrates and competes against on large water-sector tenders.
- Siemens: Siemens is a global automation, electrification and digital industries major with an established UK water-sector footprint spanning SIMATIC PLCs, SCADA, drives and switchgear. Comparable to CEMA as an indirect competitor and ecosystem reference point; CEMA integrates with Siemens platforms alongside its existing OEM partners.
- Schneider Electric: Schneider Electric is a global energy management and automation major; CEMA holds Alliance Registered partner status with Schneider and integrates its PLC, MCC and power distribution products. Comparable as a broad incumbent in CEMA's space and a dual customer/competitor through its own water-sector services.
- Rockwell Automation: Rockwell Automation is a global industrial automation leader; CEMA is a Recognised System Integrator for its Allen-Bradley platform. Comparable as a broad incumbent whose technology stack underpins much of CEMA's Intelligent MCC and SCADA offering, and which could expand direct services competition.
- Mitsubishi Electric: Mitsubishi Electric is a global automation, drives and switchgear supplier; CEMA holds Approved Automation Partner status. Comparable as a broad incumbent in CEMA's PLC/MCC/SCADA ecosystem with potential to compete for direct water-sector integration work.
Others
- Xylem: Xylem is a global water technology equipment and solutions provider and is named as a CEMA customer. Comparable as an ecosystem participant and channel partner in the UK water sector, supplying treatment equipment into the same utility frameworks where CEMA delivers the electrical and automation layer.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
CEMA social profiles
Digital presenceCEMA compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance15 records
CEMA financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
CEMA leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
CEMA subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries4 records
CEMA funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
CEMA 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 CEMA
What does CEMA do?
CEMA designs, manufactures and supplies electrical assemblies including Power Distribution Switchboards, Motor Control Centres, Intelligent MCCs, Local Control Panels and ICA panels for the UK water and wastewater industry. It also provides end-to-end engineering services spanning software/systems integration, MEICA installation, telemetry, fibre optics and PLC asset replacement.
Is CEMA a public or private company?
CEMA is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was CEMA founded?
CEMA was founded in 1987. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is CEMA based?
CEMA is headquartered in Nottingham, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does CEMA make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Electrical Equipment Manufacturing is the primary driver. The others are engineering Services and framework Contracts.
Who are CEMA's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Ross-shire Engineering (RSE), BGEN, Trant Engineering and Morrison Water Services (M Group Services). Broad incumbents are ABB, Siemens, Schneider Electric, Rockwell Automation and Mitsubishi Electric. Xylem is listed as an others.
Does CEMA have an API?
No public API is recorded for CEMA.
What industry is CEMA in?
CEMA's product category is Electrical Engineering & Automation for Water Industry. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAGABAJ, Industrial Control Panels & Enclosures (Panel Building, MCCs, Integration), with a secondary code of IMAGAEAA, Low-Voltage Switchboards & Panelboards (LV distribution panels, MCCs, switchboards). Its NAICS code is 335313 and its SIC code is 3613.