What RPS Switchgear does

RPS Switchgear is a manufacturer of medium voltage electrical switchgear and distribution solutions, specializing in 11kV/12kV vacuum circuit breaker technology under the LMVP platform. The company's core product is a vertically isolated, withdrawable vacuum interrupter switchgear available in three current ratings (630/800A, 1250A, and 2000/2500A) with a maximum fault rating of 31.5kA, designed to be interchangeable with older Reyrolle LMT oil and SF6 circuit breakers. Supporting products include LMT retrofit solutions that upgrade legacy Reyrolle panels with vacuum interruption technology, arc-proof door kits certified to IEC 62271-200, and a comprehensive spare parts range for both current and legacy product lines. All products eliminate oil or SF6 insulation, addressing environmental and safety concerns, and are seismically tested to IEEE 693-2005 for deployment in mines, offshore platforms, and other harsh environments.

The company serves electricity utilities and industrial enterprises globally, with primary customer segments in distribution network operators, mining, oil and gas, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and food and beverage processing. Notable customers include EDF, BHP, Qatar Petroleum, BAPCO, China Light & Power, Pfizer, Bluescope Steel, Fonterra, and multiple Australian and New Zealand utilities. RPS Switchgear operates a direct sales model with quote-based pricing for custom-engineered switchgear configurations and retrofits, supported by a partnership with Aardvarc Electrical Engineers Ltd for installation and commissioning services.

RPS Switchgear traces its heritage to A. Reyrolle and Company, founded in Newcastle, UK in 1886. Manufacturing operations are anchored in Petone, Wellington, New Zealand (established 1969), with European operations established in 2012 through RPS Europe. The UK entity (RPS Switchgear Ltd) is registered in England. The company became independent from the Reyrolle group in 2004 and rebranded as RPS Switchgear in 2008. The company is privately held with no parent company or institutional investment disclosed and has supplied over 15,000 vacuum circuit breakers and panels globally.

Name

RPS Switchgear

Legal name

RPS Switchgear Ltd

Website

https://rps-switchgear.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

RPS Switchgear manufactures medium voltage (11kV/12kV) vacuum circuit breaker switchgear and retrofit solutions for electricity utilities and industrial enterprises globally, leveraging heritage from the Reyrolle brand since 1886.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Medium Voltage Electrical Switchgear

NAICS

Switchgear and Switchboard Apparatus Manufacturing (335313), Electrical Equipment Manufacturing (3353)

SIC

Switchgear & Switchboard Apparatus (3613)

akta.pro primary industry

Switchgear & Switchboards (HV/MV/LV, GIS/AIS) (IMAGAAAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Medium-Voltage (MV) Distribution Substations & Switchgear (EUADACAB), Testing, Commissioning, Maintenance & Retrofit/Modernization (Substations/Switchgear) (EUADACAL), High-Voltage Electrical Systems (Switchgear, Transformers, Protection & Control) (EUAEAFAA)

Keywords

• Medium voltage switchgear
• Vacuum circuit breakers
• Electrical distribution equipment
• Switchgear retrofit solutions
• Power distribution hardware

Headquarters

HQ city

Hebburn

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Switchgear Product Sales: Sale of medium voltage switchgear including 11kV and 12kV circuit breakers, motor starters, disconnectors, and fuse-switch combinations. Products are manufactured in New Zealand and sold globally to utilities and industrial customers.
2. LMT Retrofit Services: Retrofit solutions to upgrade existing LM type switchgear panels with vacuum circuit breakers. Includes technical services for specification, supply, and commissioning support.
3. Spare Parts Supply: Supply of comprehensive range of spare parts to support the product range including older Reyrolle LMT range of oil breakers and switchgear.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels1 record

Core offering

RPS Switchgear manufactures and supplies medium voltage (11kV/12kV) electrical distribution switchgear based on vacuum circuit breaker technology. The company produces LMVP switchgear panels and offers retrofit solutions to upgrade legacy Reyrolle LMT oil and SF6 switchgear with interchangeable vacuum circuit breakers. Products are manufactured in Petone, Wellington, New Zealand and sold globally to electricity utilities and industrial customers.

Product overview

RPS Switchgear is a medium voltage switchgear manufacturer offering a focused portfolio centered on 11kV/12kV distribution switchgear and related retrofit solutions. The core product line includes the LMVP vacuum circuit breaker platform, which serves as both a standalone switchgear offering and the basis for retrofit upgrades to legacy Reyolle LMT 1 and LMT 2 equipment. Supporting the core products are arc-proof door retrofit kits and spare parts for both current and legacy Reyrolle product ranges. The company positions itself on advanced vacuum interrupter technology, eliminating oil or SF6, combined with proven mechanical designs and SCADA compatibility.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• 11kV/12kV Switchgear Medium voltage distribution switchgear (11kV/12kV) with vertically isolated and withdrawable design, using vacuum interruption technology. Available in three current ratings (630/800 Amp, 1250 Amp, 2000/2500 Amp), with maximum panel rating of 2500 Amps, busbar rating of 3000 Amps, and fault rating of 31.5kA. Includes current transformers, voltage transformers, control panels, and cable boxes. Designed for electricity utilities and industrial distribution networks.
• LMVP Vacuum Circuit Breaker Retrofit Retrofit solution to upgrade Reyrolle LMT 1 and LMT 2 panels with interchangeable LMVP vacuum circuit breakers. Features include motor-charged spring or solenoid operation, SCADA compatibility, and seismically tested design. Eliminates oil or SF6 for improved health, safety, and environmental performance. Targets operators of legacy Reyrolle LM switchgear installations.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 15,000 vacuum circuit breakers and panels supplied to customers globally
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers28 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Aardvarc Electrical Engineers LtdcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerAardvarc Electrical Engineers Ltd is RPS Switchgear's partner company that offers a complete installation and commissioning service. They provide services including switchgear installation to manufacturer's requirements, high voltage pressure tests, secondary wiring insulation tests, primary and secondary injection tests, protection upgrades, maintenance programs, partial discharge monitoring, and system upgrades with PLC control systems. Data is only passed to Aardvarc if installation services are required, transferred via secure email.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• ABB: Global electrification leader offering a full switchgear portfolio including MV switchgear (SafeRing/SafePlus, VD4) and competing SF6-free platforms like AirPlus. Comparable as a competing supplier of MV distribution switchgear to the same utility and industrial customer base that RPS serves.
• Schneider Electric: Markets the Premset, RM AirSeT, and g3 SF6-free MV switchgear lines, targeting utilities and industrial customers globally. Competes head-to-head with RPS for new MV switchgear orders and grid-modernization budgets.
• Siemens Energy: Supplies 8DJH/8DA11 medium-voltage switchgear plus clean-air (SF6-free) alternatives and services to utilities and industrial customers worldwide. Directly competes for the same MV distribution and retrofit specifications that RPS pursues.
• Eaton: Provides a comprehensive range of MV switchgear (e.g., XGIS, Power Xpert) and switchgear modernization/retrofit services to utilities and industrial markets. Overlaps with RPS in both MV apparatus and retrofit engineering services.

Direct peers

• Ormazabal: Spanish manufacturer of MV switchgear (ga/gae family) and distribution solutions serving European DNOs and industrial customers with similar SF6 and SF6-free product evolution to RPS. Comparable on MV switchgear focus and UK/European utility channel.
• Lucy Electric: UK-based manufacturer specializing in MV distribution switchgear, pole-mounted and ground-mount solutions, with strong heritage serving UK DNOs and industrial customers. Closest like-for-like niche specialist competitor to RPS in the UK MV market.
• Sécheron Hasler Group: Manufacturer of HV/MV DC switchgear and components for rail, industrial, and energy applications; comparable as a heritage niche manufacturer serving demanding transportation and energy utility customers.
• SGB-SMIT Group: Specialist manufacturer of distribution and power transformers with switchgear-adjacent MV solutions; relevant peer for utilities and industrial customers seeking integrated MV equipment and retrofit packages.

Regional players

• Powell Industries: US-based specialist in MV and HV switchgear, power distribution, and custom electrical houses serving utilities, oil & gas, and mining - customers overlapping RPS's industrial mining and oil & gas accounts in Australia, Middle East and Africa.
• Trench Group (acquired by Siemens): Heritage manufacturer of HV/MV instrument transformers and coil products used in substations; relevant as a peer in the electrical apparatus supply chain to UK utility and industrial customers, though focused on transformers rather than breakers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/rps-switchgear-ltd

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about RPS Switchgear