Category: Kempston Controls News

Kempston Controls in the community: The Ferrers School

Posted on by Lewis Mayes

On the 1st of July we attended a careers fair at The Ferrers School in Higham. It was a fantastic opportunity to converse with their year 12 students, we spoke about their career aspirations and informed the students about our apprenticeship schemes and the many job opportunities we have to offer. We later returned to The Ferrers School on the 5th of July to meet their year 10 students and educate them on Industrial and Automation industry via a hands-on experience day. This gave the students a chance to wire up a contactor holding circuit. The year 10’s were also taught how to wire up ultrasonic, photoelectric, magnetic and inductive sensors, all of which were kindly donated to us by Sick UK.Kempston Controls at The Ferrers School

Attending the careers fair gave us great experience working alongside many local businesses and we were successful in gaining an insight into the year 12 students future prospects. Whether that be staying in education post sixth form or going straight into work we were able to discuss and advise on the opportunities that Kempston Controls have to offer. This sparked interest with many of the students and teachers at The Ferrers School and will help us to push and develop many new and existing job/apprenticeships opportunities that we at Kempston Controls have to offer.

After our successes at the careers fair our team were very excited to go back and put on the hands-on experience day with the year 10 students. Interacting with a vast range of products really helped the students to grasp and understand the differences between the four types of sensors that we brought along. We were very impressed with how quickly the students got involved with the many tasks and challenges set. One of the tasks was to wire up a contactor holding circuit, this was a great conversation starter with the students as we were able to demonstrate how a circuit breaker works and why they are used, this led to very insightful questions being asked which our technical team members were very happy to answer. Along with these products we also brought a vast amount of limit switches and microswitches. As we had such a wide range of products and items, we were able to demonstrate how engineering doesn’t always have to be considered as a typical industrial hands-on role.

Our team at Kempston Controls are constantly looking into new ways of interacting with the local community and our suppliers, if you would like to collaborate with us please feel free to get in touch!

Kempston Controls at The Ferrers School

Feefo Platinum Trusted Service Award

Feefo Trusted Service 5 Years in a Row!

Posted on by Joe Shipton

We are pleased to announce that Kempston Controls has been awarded the Platinum Trusted Service Award from Feefo – our 5th Trusted Service Award in 5 Years!

We have, for the 3rd year, received Feefo’s Platinum Trusted Service award highlighting our success in achieving the Gold standard for at least three consecutive years. To receive a Gold Trusted Service award, businesses must have collected at least 50 reviews with a Feefo service rating of between 4.5 and 4.9 between 1st January 2020 and 31st December 2021.

The Trusted Service Awards are unique as they are based purely on feedback from real customers. This means they are a true reflection of our commitment to outstanding customer service.

Kim Burgess, Head of Customer Success at Feefo, said: “The Trusted Service Awards recognise companies who above and beyond to provide the very best customer experience. I’m so impressed by how our customers have overcome the challenges of the past two years. A particular congratulations to our Platinum Trusted Service winners. It’s an extremely tough challenge.”

Here at Kempston Controls, we pride ourselves on our high standard of customer service and this award recognises how hard our teams work and demonstrates why we’re industry renowned. We strive for the best customer experience and look forward to serving our customers this year.

Thank you to all our teams across the group for their continued hard work & commitment and thank you to all our customers for their support.

Read Our Reviews Here

 

About Feefo

Feefo is a leading global customer review and insights platform on a mission to empower its clients to fully understand how their customers experience their product or service.

The Feefo suite of software, combined with its technical solutions expertise, enables its clients to gain a deeper understanding of customer sentiment, behaviour, and intent, empowering them with insights to make better business decisions and improve their return on investment. With 96% of customers relying on reviews to purchase, Feefo also creates trust between consumers and businesses by adopting a unique approach to only collect verified reviews from real people.

Made in Britain Mark

Kempston Controls Manufacturing celebrates being granted Made in Britain membership

Posted on by Joe Shipton

Kempston Controls Manufacturing has been accredited as a member of Made in Britain. Kempston Controls Manufacturing’s adoption of the official, protected mark will help buyers recognise its products as good quality, great value and British-made.

The mark also lets customers know that Kempston Controls Manufacturing is a trusted company that values transparency, sustainability and ethical business practices. Consumers are increasingly recognising the Made in Britain mark as a mark of confidence.

The ‘Made in Britain’ organisation brings with it the pride it implies, from a time when British products were revered the world over, we want this traditional way of thinking to continue and make people proud to purchase these products which in turn support the local economy and see it flourish.

John Pearce, chief executive of Made in Britain said: “We’re delighted that Kempston Controls Manufacturing has joined the community of more than 1200 British manufacturers. The more the mark is used and seen, the more it is recognised as a mark of quality. In addition to getting access to the official protected mark, Kempston Controls Manufacturing will also start to enjoy the many other benefits membership to Made in Britain brings, including support in sales, marketing, PR/comms and export. We look forward to watching Kempston Controls Manufacturing grow with our help and support.”

View our Made In Britain profile here.

Learn more about MEM here.

Learn more about our acquisition of MEM here.

MEM Acquired By Kempston Controls

Kempston Controls Completes Acquisition of MEM from Eaton Electrical

Posted on by Joe Shipton

Kempston Controls is pleased to announce a classic British brand will return to UK ownership with our acquisition of MEM (Midland Electrical Manufacturing). The deal, completed on the 1st December 2021 includes Eaton’s MEM MEMSHIELD 1 & 2 and Cranes range. The aim is to continue MEM’s history of innovation by developing, manufacturing, and selling these dependable product ranges for years to come.

Richard Regan, Group Managing Director of Kempston Controls, said: “This is a great acquisition for Kempston Controls & we’re very excited to continue the development of MEM as a leading UK manufacturer.”

About MEM (Midland Electrical Manufacturing)

Founded in Birmingham 1908 by Walter Barber, MEM initially found success designing and manufacturing switch & fuse gear and in 1927 began to produce products such as the ‘Ironclad’ switch range and fuse gear to meet the demands of a rapidly modernising industry.

Constantly innovating, MEM was one of the first companies to introduce cartridge fuses, and by the early 1960s, their range of products included switches, fuses, motor control gear, electric fires, and convectors. In the early 60s, MEM opened a new factory in Holyhead, Anglesey, and announced their first range of Miniature Circuit Breakers, a product line that they would become famous for.

In 1971, Delta Metal Co. acquired MEM and consolidated several divisions under the MEM brand, during the early noughties the electrical division of Delta, including MEM, was acquired by the Eaton Corporation who continued with the company’s tradition of providing world-leading products.

Going Forward

With the support of Kempston Controls’ technical department and sales teams, MEM will continue to innovate, manufacture, and sell products for many years to come, catering to the needs of an ever-growing industrial and commercial marketplace that demands quality products at the best possible price.

The acquisition of MEM creates Kempston Controls (Manufacturing), a new division in the Midland Automation Group that will focus on the development of new & innovative products.

Learn More About MEM Learn More About Cranes

Black Friday Header

Why we don’t do Black Friday sales

Posted on by Joe Shipton

With Black Friday a few days away & Cyber Monday a few days later, we won’t be having a sale on either day.

Each year we see more and more brands taking advantage of the event, with most turning it from a single day to a full week of discounts and sales. But trust us, despite the flood of emails that you’ll get, 99% of the “deals” aren’t worth it.

So, no, this year we won’t be creating deals that create the illusion of savings to trick you into buying.

But why?

  1. With Kempston Controls, you get the best price on the day, any day.

Here at Kempston Controls you, our customers, are at the heart of everything we do and with that in mind, we want to offer you the best deal all year round. The nature of our business is so varying that you could be buying for a new project, or simply replacing a part – you can’t decide when a part will break down, so why should we decide when you can get the best price we can offer.

  1. We’re not out there to trick you.

A WHICH review in 2019 found that 85% of prices were the same price or cheaper before Black Friday1. The last thing we want to do is say that all brands are doing the same things, but it would go against our brand values to undermine you, our customers, like that. You can shop with us all 24 hours a day, 365 days a year with the confidence that you’re getting the best price we can offer.

  1. Staff Burnout

Our last reason actually isn’t to do with our customers, it’s to do with us. The amount of pressure that a large sale event like Black Friday creates is astonishing! From the creative teams piecing together the marketing jigsaw to the IT teams preparing and maintaining the systems all the way to the guys on the front line processing your orders and queries non-stop – it’s honestly exhausting.

So, to take a massive weight off of the team’s shoulders, Black Friday once again won’t feature in the Kempston Controls ecosystem.

Is there an alternative?

Now don’t worry, all our products and services are still available all day, every day and we’ll still offer you the best price we can. Our friendly team is around to answer all your questions and our website is available so you can access live-stock 24/7.

But in case you’re looking for another way to view Black Friday, take a look at Giving Tuesday where you can donate money for a purpose, not just spend money on more junk.

 

1 https://www.which.co.uk/news/2020/11/85-of-black-friday-products-arent-the-cheapest-theyve-ever-been/

In Control – The Kempston HVAC & Process Control Team

Posted on by Rick Morgan

Kempston Controls has an enviable reputation amongst it peers for the provision of high-quality products from world leading brands at the best possible prices, all with expedited delivery.

Controlling the Process

To add yet more strings to our bow the newly created HVAC & Process Control Team brings decades of relevant industrial expertise to help provide you with technical product solutions for your next installation or retrofitting project.

Knowing What Works

With Kempston Controls extensive HVAC and control product offering this experienced team knows what works and backed with competitive pricing, exceptional stock levels and exemplary service they have the foundation to help serve you better.

Continually updated and trained by leading manufacturers in the latest design and product innovations, the Process Control Team can source top brand products along with the best value alternatives to suit your needs and pricing requirements.

Extensive HVAC Product Knowledge

The HVAC & Process Controls Team are here to help you choose the right product from a vast range of stocked items including:

  • Sensors
  • Metering
  • Valves and actuators
  • Level Detection devices
  • Pressure Sensors and Switches
  • Thermostats
  • Heating Controls
  • Flow Devices

Supplied from a breadth of leading manufacturers including – ABB, BURKERT, Danfoss, Danfoss Heating, Endress & Hauser, Gems, Honeywell, Honeywell FEMA, Schneider Process, SICK and Siemens.

Process control and HVAC

This dedicated team can provide Service and Facilities Management companies with commercial spares as well as Building Controls and BMS peripheral equipment to System Integrators and Mechanical Contractors.

Enquire Now

 

Meet the HVAC and Process Control Team!

Sandeep Sarpal

Sandeep became involved in the HVAC industry back in 2008, when he joined a leading manufacturer of gas valves, pressure switches, flow sensors, valve actuators, building controls and other control products. Rising rapidly through the ranks from Technical Sales to Sales Manager and Product Champion, he joined Kempston Controls in 2020 as a Commercial Manager of the Process Division.

Paul Earl

Paul’s career began a few decades ago with a 4-year Electronics Apprenticeship which then led to 20 years of service in various roles in the electronics and radio & satellite communications industry.  A change of pace led to Paul working as an electrician for a small local building company for a while and then on to Danfoss, joining their heating technical support team for a number of years. Paul has been with Kempton Controls since 2018 working within the technical team.

Luciano Piccini

With an Electrical Engineering BSc degree, Luciano has been engaged with the industrial sector his whole career in a variety of roles and functions: Account, Regional, National and Product, Project, Plant & Production Manager and Sales and Marketing Consultant roles. Providing technical and commercial support for a range of products including Process industries field instrumentation; Control (DCS/PLC), Scada, F&G, ESD, EMS systems; Analytical systems, VSDs, Power Houses (Engineered packaged solutions). At the beginning of his career Luciano was involved with electronic components, ERP systems and embedded electronic system design (HW+SW).

Comprehensive Support
All of this backed up with comprehensive technical support before during and after the installation process to help you easily integrate your chosen HVAC & Process Control hardware into your system and for any upgrades you might need! Call them today on +44 (0) 1933 411 411, email them at process@kempstoncontrols.co.uk or use the enquiry from to discuss your requirements.

Have you seen this?

Thermal Solutions Team

Kempston Controls