Schneider Electric Announces Expansion in Leeds
- Multi-million-pound investment and plans to add more than 100 jobs to key UK manufacturing base
- Facility upgrade to meet growth in demand and champion sustainable development
Leeds (UK), October 3, 2023 – Schneider Electric, the leader in the digital transformation of energy management and automation, is set to expand operations at its site in Leeds. It will invest £7.2 million in a facility upgrade, as well as creating 110 new jobs over the next five years.
This significant investment underscores Schneider Electric’s growth trajectory due to rising demand from the energy transition and the electric vehicle (EV) market. It reinforces Schneider Electric’s long-term commitment to supporting the UK's move to decarbonisation and represents a boost to the local green economy.
Schneider Electric employs 550 people at its Leeds smart factory and Innovation Hub - more than a tenth of its UK workforce. The site specialises in designing and manufacturing medium- and low-voltage switchgear solutions, which protect and distribute electricity in public, commercial and industrial installations. The new investment will aim to radically enhance the Leeds facility's efficiency to support growing demand for these solutions.
A key feature of Schneider's expanding solutions is its portfolio of green and digital switchgear, which replaces the greenhouse gas that is traditionally used in electrical equipment for insulation, with pure air to reduce environmental impact and optimise maintenance and operations.
The upgrade will feature a 3,380 sqm extension to an existing assembly and test hall, and a centralised Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) area. Work is projected to begin in early 2024 and be completed by August 2024. The project is being carried out with cooperation and support from Leeds City Council.
Kelly Becker, Zone President UK&I at Schneider Electric, said: “This multi-million pound investment in Leeds reflects our commitment to investing in the UK's burgeoning green economy. I’m proud that through this project, we plan to create local jobs in Yorkshire, which has been part of our operational presence in the UK for years.
“Our continued growth and investment are set in the context of a huge opportunity to drive decarbonisation, boost infrastructure to meet the demands of EV charging, and design, build, operate and maintain our buildings in the face of the energy efficiency challenge.”
James Lewis, Leader of Leeds City Council, added: "It is heartening to see our robust manufacturing base continuing to be recognised and fuelled by rising demand in emerging markets such as electric vehicles. This new investment not only helps to supercharge the local economy but also speaks volumes about our region's expertise and the skills and competency of our workforce and what can be achieved through businesses and the council working hand in hand."
ENDS
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Kelly Becker
President, Schneider Electric UK and Ireland, Belgium and NetherlandsKelly has spent many years leading Schneider Electric’s business across the globe and is currently responsible for all operations within the UK and Ireland, Belgium and Netherlands. She leads 5,500 employees with responsibility for a multi-billion P&L. Most recently, Kelly has held the role of Schneider Electric Country President, Ireland, Vice-President of the Power Solutions Division in the US and worked at Danaher Corporation in Product Management.With over 20 years of experience in the energy and industrial sectors, Kelly has a track record of delivering results through strategic leadership, operational excellence, and customer-centric innovation. Additionally, she has driven multiple turnarounds and excels at change management and building high-performance teams.Kelly holds a Bachelor of Science degree in advertising and public relation from Texas Christian University, a Master's degree in Business Administration from the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia and graduated from the Advanced Management Program at Harvard University in 2025.She sits on the Board of Schneider Electric UK, is a Non-Executive Director for Elis (ELIS.PA France), serves on the Leadership Advisory Board for the Darden School of Business and is on the Executive Board of Directors with the French Chamber UK and British American Business.Connect with Kelly on LinkedIn.Read more
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