Switchbuild

What Switchbuild does

Switchbuild Limited is a New Zealand–based specialty manufacturer of custom low-voltage switchboards and provider of electrical engineering, integration, and commissioning services. Originally established in 1976 as Clive Wilson (Dunedin) Ltd and rebranded in 2005, the company operates from a single headquarters in Dunedin with a team of more than 40 qualified professionals serving both New Zealand and international clients. Its proprietary Simotrol and Switchpac modular switchboard platforms are independently laboratory-verified to AS/NZS 61439, supporting fully segregated Form 4b compartments, IP54 ingress protection, and configurable enclosure sizes. Manufacturing output spans Main Switchboards (MSB), Motor Control Centres (MCC), Distribution Panels, Process Control Panels, Generator Control systems, and Pumping Station / Irrigation controls. The supplier-agnostic architecture allows Switchbuild to incorporate switchgear from all major manufacturers based on fit-for-purpose criteria rather than exclusive supply agreements. Complementary engineering services include AutoCAD electrical drafting, commissioning, project documentation (P&IDs, single-line diagrams, schematics), and product expertise consulting. Industrial automation capabilities — including advanced PLC and SCADA programming — are delivered through a Core strategic partnership with Core Automation, which handles automation strategy while Switchbuild focuses on switchboard manufacturing and electrical design. The company is privately held with no disclosed institutional investors, operates a sales-led direct engagement model (phone, email, 'Talk to an expert'), and quotes on a custom project basis with multi-year contract cadences. Customer segmentation is horizontal across commercial/industrial, municipal water/wastewater, and power generation use cases, with Site Safe New Zealand and Master Electricians New Zealand memberships supporting compliance positioning.

Name

Switchbuild

Legal name

Switchbuild Ltd

Website

https://switchbuild.co.nz

Company type

Private

Founded year

1976

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Switchbuild Limited is a Dunedin, New Zealand–based manufacturer of custom low-voltage switchboards and provider of electrical engineering, PLC/SCADA integration, and commissioning services for commercial, industrial, municipal, and power generation clients.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Switchboard Manufacturing

NAICS

Switchgear and Switchboard Apparatus Manufacturing (335313), Electrical Equipment Manufacturing (3353), Relay and Industrial Control Manufacturing (335314)

SIC

Switchgear & Switchboard Apparatus (3613), Electrical Industrial Apparatus (3620)

akta.pro primary industry

Low-Voltage Switchboards & Panelboards (LV distribution panels, MCCs, switchboards) (IMAGAEAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Industrial Control Cabinets & Power Distribution (Panels, Switchgear for Automation) (IMAHAHAK), Testing, Commissioning, Maintenance & Retrofit/Modernization (Substations/Switchgear) (EUADACAL)

Keywords

• Switchboard manufacturing
• Electrical engineering services
• Motor control systems
• Power distribution equipment
• Process control panels

Headquarters

HQ city

Dunedin

HQ country

New Zealand

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Custom Switchboard Manufacturing: Design and manufacture of custom switchboards including Main Switchboards (MSB), Motor Control Centres (MCC), Distribution Panels, and Process Control Panels. Project-based work with no affiliation to any single supplier, providing client choice based on best practice and fit-for-purpose requirements.
2. Engineering Services: Electrical design and consultation, AutoCAD drafting services, commissioning, and project documentation services. Includes preliminary layouts, general arrangement drawings, sheet metal details, single line diagrams, control schematics, and as-built/as-commissioned drawings.
3. System Integration: Integration of switchboards with PLC and SCADA systems, generator control systems, pumping stations, and irrigation control solutions. Post-commissioning support and maintenance services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels1 record

Core offering

Switchbuild designs, manufactures, and integrates custom low-voltage electrical switchboards and motor control systems for commercial, industrial, municipal, and power-generation clients. Its portfolio centers on two proprietary modular platforms — Simotrol (heavy-duty industrial switchboard) and Switchpac (modular power distribution) — complemented by custom engineering, AutoCAD drafting, PLC/SCADA programming, commissioning, and post-installation support delivered through project-based contracts in New Zealand and internationally.

Product overview

Switchbuild is an electrical engineering and switchboard manufacturing company offering a portfolio of proprietary product systems (Simotrol, Switchpac, Proprietary Enclosures) complemented by comprehensive manufacturing capabilities (Main Switchboards, Motor Control Centres, Distribution Panels, Process Control Panels, Generator Control, Pumping Stations) and services (Engineering, AutoCAD Drafting, Commissioning, Documentation). The Simotrol and Switchpac systems form the core product lines—both are modular switchboard platforms designed for load distribution and motor control, with Simotrol being the heavier industrial-grade system and Switchpac offering more flexible customization options. These are supplemented by custom enclosure solutions and a full range of electrical engineering and commissioning services, with automation capabilities delivered through a partnership with Core Automation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Simotrol: A self-supporting, industrial-rated switchboard system featuring a modular, tiered design for load distribution and motor control centre applications. Compliant with AS/NZS 61439 with ingress protection ratings up to IP54.
• Switchpac

Products and services

• Simotrol A self-supporting, industrial-rated switchboard system featuring a modular, tiered design for load distribution and motor control centre applications, constructed from 2mm folded sheet metal with fully segregated compartments meeting Form 4b and IP54 standards. Two standard tier heights (1980mm, 2200mm) and depths of 450mm (single-sided) or 750mm (double-sided). Accommodates switchgear from all major suppliers.
• Switchpac A modular power distribution and motor control system with adaptable enclosure design constructed from 1.6mm folded sheet metal with powder-coated cream ripple finish. Enclosures can be customised from 250mm to 2250mm in 125mm increments; standard profile depths from 125mm to 330mm. Accommodates switchgear from all major suppliers; IP54 ingress protection.
• Proprietary Enclosures Custom-tailored enclosure systems covering terminal boxes, control panels, wall-mounted enclosures, and bayable floor-mounted panels in plastic, polycarbonate, aluminium, mild steel, and stainless steel.
• Main Switchboards (MSB) Low-voltage electrical distribution switchboards for commercial and industrial applications, utilizing the Simotrol modular tiered design with fully segregated compartments for load distribution including power management, monitoring, and load shedding.
• Motor Control Centres (MCC) Motor control panels and motor control centres for light and heavy industrial applications, featuring modular configurable design for low-voltage applications and heavy-duty Simotrol MCCs with fully segregated compartments.
• Mechanical Services Switchboards Industrial-grade wall mount or floor-standing enclosures and switchboards for commercial and light industrial applications.
• Distribution Panels Modular design-based distribution switchboards for low-voltage up to 630A applications suitable for commercial and light industrial use.
• Process Control Panels Control panels integrating hard-wired instrumentation with PLC and HMI-based controls, incorporating machine safety systems, operator stations, and field devices such as flow metres, proximity sensors, and photoelectric sensors.
• Generator Control Systems Generator control systems including automatic mains failure (AMF) systems, synchronising generator controls, load management, and peak load lopping with detailed design and electronic drafting services.
• Pumping Stations & Irrigation Controls Custom-made pumping station control systems for municipal water and wastewater infrastructure, featuring above-ground electrical controls with pumps, valves, and level controls in wells and service pits.
• Engineering Services Electrical design and consultation services with in-depth knowledge of electrical installations and standards, including health and safety compliance services.
• Electrical Drafting (AutoCAD) AutoCAD and Elecdes electrical drafting services providing detailed preliminary layouts, general arrangement drawings, sheet metal details, single line diagrams, and control schematics.
• Commissioning Services Extensive electrical commissioning services from initial electrical testing to complex process algorithms, with post-commissioning support and maintenance.
• Project Documentation Standard document services including detailed tagging schemes, Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams (PI&D), and functional descriptions with comprehensive records and cataloguing procedures.
• Product Expertise & Consultation Technical consultation ensuring suppliers' products meet project scope and expectations, providing best practice suggestions, fit-for-purpose components, and cost-effective solutions.
• Automation Services Industrial automation solutions delivered through partnership with Core Automation, including advanced control systems and smart technology integration for optimising efficiency and reliability.

Quantifiable outcome

• Form 4b compliance and IP54 ingress protection ratings for Simotrol systems
• +1 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Core AutomationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCore Automation is identified as Switchbuild's Automation Partner, specialising in delivering comprehensive industrial automation solutions. The partnership provides customers with advanced control systems, seamless integration of smart technologies, and custom automation strategy development. Core Automation handles industrial automation while Switchbuild focuses on switchboard manufacturing and electrical solutions.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Siemens: Global electrical and automation incumbent. Overlaps with Switchbuild on switchgear assemblies, motor control, and PLC/SCADA integration, especially in larger industrial and process-control tenders.
• Schneider Electric: Global incumbent in electrical distribution, industrial automation, and switchgear. Overlaps with Switchbuild across switchboards, motor control, and PLC/SCADA but at vastly larger scale and broader portfolio.
• Legrand: Global electrical and digital building infrastructure group with switchboard and distribution panel offerings. Competes for commercial and light-industrial switchboard work similar to Switchbuild's MSB and Distribution Panel lines.
• Eaton: Global electrical manufacturer with strong switchboard, switchgear, and power management portfolio. Competes for commercial, industrial, and utility-grade switchboard work in the same geographies Switchbuild serves.
• ABB: Global incumbent supplying low- and medium-voltage switchgear, motor control, and industrial automation. Competes for many of the same industrial and infrastructure customers Switchbuild serves, especially in generator control and process automation.

Direct peers

• NHP Electrical Engineering Products: Leading Australasian electrical equipment distributor and manufacturer with deep presence in New Zealand and Australia. Most directly comparable peer to Switchbuild given overlapping switchboard, motor control, and industrial product portfolios and shared ANZ customer base.
• CUBIC Switchboards: Specialist manufacturer of modular low-voltage switchboards and motor control centres. Closest functional analogue to Switchbuild's Simotrol and Switchpac modular systems, competing in the same product category globally.

Regional players

• Nilsen Electric: Long-established Australian electrical engineering and switchboard manufacturer. Comparable regional peer with overlapping industrial, commercial, and power generation customer base and similar project-based custom-engineering model.
• Specialist Switchboards: Australian specialist switchboard manufacturer serving industrial and commercial customers. Comparable regional peer with similar custom-engineering, project-based model, though operating primarily across the Tasman rather than in New Zealand.

Others

• Core Automation: New Zealand industrial automation specialist and Switchbuild's named automation partner. Closely related via partnership and shared go-to-market, providing the PLC/SCADA and control integration layer that Switchbuild bundles into its switchboard projects.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/Switchbuild
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/switchbuild

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

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 Switchbuild