£42m manufacturing investment to create more than 200 jobs

Schneider Electric, which specialises in digital transformation of energy management and automation, is investing £42m in a new manufacturing facility in Scarborough.

More than 200 jobs will be created to meet increased demand for electrical equipment to drive the UK’s move to cleaner energy.

The site is almost triple the size of Schneider Electric’s existing Scarborough facility.

It is poised to become a net-zero plant and will use modern technology to reduce energy waste and maximise the use of renewable energy when it opens in early 2025.

• 30% of the facility’s energy will be produced by a solar energy system, with solar panels covering 50% of the roof, to ensure the building harnesses solar energy efficiently
• Any energy consumed on site from the national grid will be “renewable certified”
• An intelligent Building Management System will ensure energy-efficient operations including light sensors, automated heating and cooling
• It will feature one of the first fully electric paint lines in Europe to support decarbonised operations
• It is targeting a BREEAM’Excellent’ rating, setting it apart in terms of sustainable construction standards

The site is also designed to be environmentally friendly, with sustainable transport options for employees.

Scarborough is a long-established manufacturing base for Schneider Electric, currently employing 450 people.

It manufactures low-voltage switchgears which protect and distribute electricity and are crucial to the rollout of sustainable and energy-efficient operations such as EV charging infrastructure and net-zero buildings.

Kelly Becker, president at Schneider Electric, UK & Ireland, Belgium & Netherlands, said: “We’re proud to be investing in and developing innovative solutions which will deliver immediate and lasting decarbonisation in the UK, while bolstering the creation of local, green jobs in Yorkshire.

“The region has long been part of our operational presence in the UK, and we’re excited to expand this as part of our commitment to investing in the UK’s green economy.

“The new facility in Scarborough represents a pillar of innovation in net-zero, and one which will be an industry benchmark for the transition to sustainable, energy efficient buildings.”

David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, said: “York and North Yorkshire has a well-established and thriving manufacturing sector, which is home to an abundance of leading and specialist companies.

“So, it is fantastic to see Schneider make this huge investment in their future in Scarborough.

“This new manufacturing facility will drive new, quality jobs in Scarborough and help us go beyond net-zero to become England’s first carbon negative region.”

David Skaith

Stephen Phipson, chief executive of Make UK, added: “This is a marvellous example of how sustainable manufacturing can be achieved, creating many highly skilled jobs in the process.

“Green technologies are going to be the solution to many of the challenges that we face and Schneider should be applauded for pioneering this facility.”

Schneider Electric currently employs 5,000 people in the UK and Ireland. Globally, it closed 2023 with a turnover of 36bn euros.

With the business’s head office in London, there are a further 13 operational sites across the UK.

Operations will relocate to the new facility at Scarborough Business Park, less than 500 metres from Schneider Electric’s existing premises. Schneider Electric will be its anchor tenant, which will be managed by principal contractor Caddick Developments.

Alistair Smith, director at Caddick Developments, said: “Schneider Electric’s expansion will deliver much-needed jobs for Scarborough and its commitment to the net-zero agenda will ensure this facility operates as a gold standard for sustainable growth and energy efficiency.”

The investment in Scarborough is in addition to a £7.2m facility upgrade to Schneider Electric’s site in Leeds, confirmed in October 2023, meaning the company will create more than 300 jobs in Yorkshire over the next 10 years.

Schneider Electric was shortlisted in the Large Business category of this year’s Yorkshire Sustainability Excellence Awards.

The awards were created by a founding group of partners – TheBusinessDesk.com, Clarion, Deloitte, and Swinton Estate – to recognise businesses and organisations making permanent and positive changes to their environmental impact.