Schneider Electric announces winner of Sustainability Impact Awards

Schneider Electric has announced that Leicester-based Michael Smith Switchgear is a winner of the inaugural Schneider Electric Sustainability Impact Awards. The rapidly expanding electrical control and distribution engineering company is one of six winners drawn from 241 entries worldwide, distinguished by their pioneering decarbonisation efforts within and beyond their organisations.

Launched in 2022, the Schneider Electric Sustainability Impact Awards celebrates leaders prioritising innovation and decarbonisation. Partners can enter two categories: ‘Impact to My Customers’ and ‘Impact to My Company’, which recognise those who exhibit outstanding sustainability leadership. Entrants are assessed based on the successful implementation of innovations, products and digital solutions to electrify operations, reduce energy supply, increase operational efficiency, and embrace circularity across the value chain.

Michael Smith Switchgear was recognised in the ‘Impact to My Company’ category based on its commitment to sustainability in all aspects of its business. The company was certified carbon neutral in 2022, having offset more than 137t of CO₂e across its group activities in 2021. To reduce its energy consumption and use of raw materials, the company has digitised operations, adopted electric vehicles, and installed LED lighting and solar panels. It is continuing to work to align with the UN sustainability goals and is sourcing alternative materials for products and consolidating deliveries to reduce its carbon footprint. Other plans include a rainwater storage system and a ‘green’ roof.

“My congratulations go to Michael Smith Switchgear, whose story of exceptional commitment and success is an inspiration to others embarking on their decarbonisation journey,” says David Williams, Vice President, Transactional Businesses at Schneider Electric UK and Ireland.

“Eliminating energy waste and being more energy efficient has a significant impact on an organisation’s carbon footprint and helps to address the global energy crisis. However, no organisation is an island, so the Schneider Electric Sustainability Impact Awards has set out to highlight the valuable contributions of local and global partnerships,” he adds.

“We are delighted to be a global winner of the Schneider Electric Sustainability Impact Awards. This award is a testament to our team’s dedication, hard work and unwavering commitment to decarbonising our operations. Sustainability is at the heart of our operations, and this is encouragement for us to build on our carbon neutral status and continue our good work,” says Sean Smith, Managing Director for Michael Smith Switchgear.