EPS

What EPS does

EPS (UK) Ltd is a privately held specialist engineering company, founded in 1985 in Nottingham as Brian Mckean Associates and renamed EPS (UK) Ltd in 2007, that designs, manufactures and assembles medium voltage switchgear components and integrated containerised substations. Its core technology is the globally patented Mag-Latch bi-stable magnetic actuator — a permanent-magnet mechanism rated for 100,000 operations that replaces traditional spring mechanisms in MV circuit breakers and is embedded in OEM breakers including ABB's VM1, AMVAC, R-MAG, FSK and FSKII+ platforms. The portfolio extends from Mag-Latch actuators and the MEC1 microprocessor controller through bespoke MV/LV switchboards, 25kV containerised air-insulated substations (CAIS), protection and control integration with IEC61850/SCADA, and a full in-house testing capability (up to 100kV power frequency, 2500A temperature rise, partial discharge, and relay secondary injection).

The business is project-based and engineering-led. Revenue is generated from hardware sales (bespoke switchgear components, Mag-Latch actuators and controllers, MV/LV switchboards and containerised substations) plus professional services (design, development and testing/commissioning), with all pricing quoted project-by-project and no public price list. Go-to-market is direct enterprise sales to major UK and international customers — Network Rail via the Switchgear Substation Alliance (SSA) joint venture with Amco-Giffen and Electren, plus Scottish Power, Electricity North West, General Electric, Powell Industries, ABB and the KEMA High Power Laboratory. Customer segments span Rail (primary), Power/Utilities (primary), Renewables and Marine, with vertical-specific applications in railway traction substations, grid modernisation, wind-farm point-on-wave switching and naval/defence qualified breakers. EPS operates a single 12,000ft manufacturing facility in Colwick, Nottingham, with a headcount in the 11-50 band.

Name

EPS

Legal name

EPS UK Ltd

Website

https://eps-uk.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

EPS (UK) Ltd is a Nottingham-based specialist engineering firm, founded in 1985, that designs, manufactures and assembles medium voltage switchgear, including its globally patented Mag-Latch magnetic actuator, bespoke MV/LV switchboards, 25kV containerised substations, and protection/control systems for rail, power utilities, renewables and marine customers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Medium Voltage Switchgear Manufacturing

NAICS

Switchgear and Switchboard Apparatus Manufacturing (335313), Relay and Industrial Control Manufacturing (335314), Instrument Manufacturing for Measuring and Testing Electricity and Electrical Signals (334515)

SIC

Switchgear & Switchboard Apparatus (3613), Electrical Industrial Apparatus (3620), Instruments For Meas & Testing Of Electricity & Elec Signals (3825)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Circuit Breakers, Disconnectors, Earthing Switches & Switchgear Components (EUADACAH), Low-Voltage Switchboards & Panelboards (LV distribution panels, MCCs, switchboards) (IMAGAEAA), Testing, Commissioning, Maintenance & Retrofit/Modernization (Substations/Switchgear) (EUADACAL)

Keywords

• Medium voltage switchgear
• Magnetic actuators
• Containerised substations
• Switchboard manufacturing
• Switchgear design services

Headquarters

HQ city

Nottingham

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Switchgear Design & Development Services: Expert design, development, and manufacturing services for magnetic actuators, vacuum circuit breakers, containerised substations, MV/LV switchboards, protection systems, ring main units, reclosers, and switchgear devices. Revenue generated through project-based engineering services and bespoke manufacturing.
2. Mag-Latch Magnetic Actuator Sales: Sale of standard range Mag-Latch actuators (ML 50 to ML 150/50) with various hold forces, output strokes, and short circuit ratings. Customization services available for stroke length, hold force, output shaft configuration, hand trip mechanisms, indicators, counters, auxiliary switches, speed, force and travel characteristics.
3. Containerised Substation Design & Integration: Design, manufacture, assembly and integration of 25kV traction substations for rail sector, including TSS, ATS, SATS, MPATS and ATFS types. Full project delivery including factory acceptance testing and commissioning support.
4. MV/LV Switchboard Manufacturing: Bespoke manufacture and assembly of MV and LV switchboards to customer specification, including manufacturing support on build-to-print projects, design and assembly of LV and protection and control compartments, and full project support for new switchboard prototypes.
5. Testing & Commissioning Services: In-house and on-site testing services including power frequency tests up to 100kV, partial discharge tests, insulation resistance tests, low resistance testing up to 200A, protection relay secondary injection testing, temperature rise tests up to 2500A, and type test preparation support.
6. MEC1 Controller/Drive Board: MEC1 range of controller/drive boards for standard Mag-Latch actuators with SCADA integration capabilities, microprocessor-based client-specific control features, and feedback status reporting to control rooms.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

EPS (UK) Ltd designs, develops, manufactures, and assembles bespoke medium voltage switchgear devices, magnetic actuators, containerised substations, and MV/LV switchboards, and provides testing and commissioning services. Its globally patented Mag-Latch bi-stable magnetic actuator is the core proprietary product, integrated into MV circuit breakers and supplied to major switchgear manufacturers, distribution network operators (DNOs), and rail networks across rail, power, renewables, and marine sectors.

Product overview

EPS (UK) Ltd is a specialist engineering company serving the medium voltage switchgear industry since 1985. The product portfolio centers on the Mag-Latch bi-stable magnetic actuator (globally patented core technology), complemented by the MEC1 controller/drive board. These are integrated into broader switchgear solutions including bespoke MV and LV switchboards, 25kV containerised air insulated substations (CAIS) for rail electrification, and switchgear design/development services. The company also offers protection and control integration and comprehensive testing and commissioning services. Products serve rail, power utilities, renewables, and marine sectors worldwide.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Mag-Latch: Permanent magnetic actuator for medium voltage switchgear, designed for 100,000 operations with low maintenance requirements.
• MEC Controller

Products and services

• Mag-Latch Magnetic Actuator A permanent magnetic actuator used in medium voltage circuit breakers, designed for 100,000 operations with minimal maintenance. Available in standard range with hold forces from 3000N to 13000N and output stroke of 15-30mm. Customisable for stroke length, hold force, output shaft configuration, hand trip mechanisms, indicators, counters, auxiliary switches, and client-specific characteristics. Sold to switchgear OEMs (ABB, GE, Powell, Thomas & Betts, EGIC, Cooper Power, P&B Switchgear) for integration into branded MV breakers.
• MEC1 Controller / Drive Board A controller/drive board for standard Mag-Latch actuators that receives direction from SCADA systems or local control and feeds back circuit breaker status to control rooms. Contains an on-board microprocessor with client-specific control features, optimised to drive the Mag-Latch actuator mechanism.
• MV/LV Switchboards Bespoke manufacture and assembly of medium voltage (MV) and low voltage (LV) switchboards to customer specification. Includes design support, build-to-print projects, LV and protection and control compartment assembly, routine testing, and type testing support. Built for challenging environments including marine applications requiring small footprints, high vibration tolerance, and high duty operation.
• Switchgear Design & Development Services Expert design, development, and manufacturing services for vacuum interrupter circuit breakers, magnetic actuator mechanisms, MV switchboard panels, pole mounted reclosers and switches, retro-fit circuit breakers, and containerised switchgear. Uses SolidWorks 3D CAD suite, SolidCAM CNC manufacturing, FEA analysis, and rapid prototyping via 3D printing. Engaged on bespoke projects by switchgear manufacturers, DNOs, and rail networks.
• Containerised Substations Design, manufacture, assembly, and integration of 25kV traction substations for the rail sector. Includes containerised air insulated switchgear (CAIS) constructed from a steel skeleton clad with steel panels housing open-frame MV switchgear on removable pallets. Substation types include TSS, ATS, SATS, MPATS and ATFS. Delivered with factory acceptance testing and commissioning support.
• Testing & Commissioning Services Comprehensive in-house and on-site testing services including power frequency tests up to 100kV, partial discharge tests, insulation resistance tests up to 5kV/10TΩ, low resistance testing up to 200A, protection relay secondary injection testing, temperature rise tests up to 2500A, and type test preparation support.

Quantifiable outcome

• Mag-Latch actuators rated for 100,000 operations with minimal maintenance
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Switchgear Substation Alliance (SSA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSSA is a Joint Venture business founded by Brian McKean in 2015, comprising EPS, Amco-Giffen, and Electren. Formed to deliver the CP5 framework to design, assemble, and deliver 25kV traction substations for the North-West Electrification Project in the UK. EPS serves as the pioneering member responsible for switchgear design, assembly, and integration from their Nottingham plant.
• Amco-GiffencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint Venture partner with EPS in the Switchgear Substation Alliance (SSA) for delivering rail electrification projects including CAIS substations to Network Rail CP5 projects.
• ElectrencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint Venture partner with EPS in the Switchgear Substation Alliance (SSA) for delivering rail electrification projects including CAIS substations to Network Rail CP5 projects.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• ABB: Global leader in MV switchgear, circuit breakers, and substation automation. ABB is both a major customer of EPS (using Mag-Latch in VM1, AMVAC, R-MAG, FSK breakers) and the dominant incumbent OEM whose SF6-free and digital switchgear roadmap most directly affects EPS's addressable opportunity.
• Siemens Energy: Major OEM of GIS/AIS switchgear, circuit breakers, and digital substation solutions. Comparable to EPS as a full-scope MV switchgear manufacturer with significant rail electrification and IEC61850-based protection capability, but at far larger scale and broader portfolio.
• Schneider Electric: One of the world's largest manufacturers of MV/LV switchgear, protection relays, and substation automation systems. Broad incumbent whose portfolio overlaps with EPS's MV switchboards, protection integration, and IEC61850 capabilities across utility, rail, and renewables segments.
• Eaton: Global power management company with extensive MV switchgear, vacuum interrupter, and modular substation offerings (including Cooper Power Systems legacy products). Overlaps with EPS in MV vacuum circuit breaker technology, reclosers, and grid modernisation solutions for utilities.

Direct peers

• Tavrida Electric: International specialist in vacuum circuit breakers and magnetic actuator technology for MV applications. Closest direct technology peer to EPS, competing in the same vacuum + magnetic actuator category and serving similar utility and industrial customers worldwide.
• Sécheron: Swiss specialist in electrical safety equipment for rail traction power and industrial switchgear, including circuit breakers and disconnectors for 25kV railway substations. Directly comparable to EPS in rail traction substation components and overlapping with the CAIS/safety-engineering proposition.
• Lucy Electric: UK-based specialist manufacturer of medium and low voltage switchgear, ring main units, and distribution substations. Directly comparable as a homegrown UK specialist serving DNOs and rail with bespoke MV switchgear solutions, overlapping customer base with EPS in the regulated utility space.
• Powell Industries: US-headquartered specialist in custom-engineered MV/LV switchgear, power distribution rooms, and integrated electrical houses for utilities and industrial customers. Comparable to EPS in the bespoke MV switchboard and integrated substation space, and listed as an EPS customer in the source data.
• Hawker Siddeley Switchgear: UK manufacturer of MV switchgear, vacuum circuit breakers, and distribution automation equipment with strong UK utility and rail exposure. Closest UK geographic peer to EPS in terms of domestic DNO and rail customer footprint and bespoke MV engineering model.

Regional players

• Megger: UK-headquartered global specialist in electrical test and measurement equipment for power systems, including insulation testing, protection relay testing, and high-voltage diagnostics. Comparable to EPS's testing and commissioning service line and overlapping in DNOs, OEMs, and rail asset testing markets.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebooken-gb.facebook.com/epsukltd
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/eps-uk-ltd

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries1 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 EPS