Last week, we welcomed Sam Sleight from Made in Yorkshire to our site for a catch-up on what’s ahead for Sargent Electrical and to mark a moment we’re incredibly proud of.
During the visit, Sam presented our Managing Director, Ian Sargent, with his exclusive Great 100 pin badge, following Ian being named as one of the winners in the Made in Group’s Great 100 Awards back in December. The recognition reflects not just business success, but Ian’s leadership in driving long-term resilience through sustainability, investment and clear purpose.
Over the past 12 months in particular, Ian has been working tirelessly on plans for our new facility in Beverley — a project that sets out what sustainable manufacturing should look like. Designed to achieve Outstanding BREEAM certification, the new site will operate largely off-grid, powered by solar generation, air source heat pumps, intelligent energy management and extensive EV infrastructure. Alongside this, biodiversity and environmental enhancement have been built into the plans from day one. It’s this commitment to doing things properly, even when it’s harder and takes longer, that the award recognises.
Building for the Future
A major focus of our conversation was the progress of the new facility. While construction is only just approaching the starting line, a huge amount of work has already gone in behind the scenes. From planning and surveys to navigating increasingly complex regulatory requirements, this has been a demanding process — but one we remain fully committed to.
We are targeting a start on site in February, with the ambition of becoming operational in early 2027. The new building will allow us to rethink how we assemble, test and deliver our products, creating the space and infrastructure needed to support long-term growth, improved workflows and future technologies.
Innovation, Resilience and Growth
Despite the distraction of a major capital project, the business continues to move forward. Over the last year, we’ve grown our workforce by around 7%, reflecting sustained demand and confidence in the future.
We are also bringing several new products to market, many of which have been in development for more than two years. A particular focus is on decarbonising the leisure and holiday home sector, including the removal of gas systems in favour of fully electric, intelligently managed solutions. These systems integrate battery storage, PV generation and advanced energy management, enabling all-electric holiday homes to operate from a standard 16amp supply.
Alongside this, we continue to expand into areas such as emergency and specialist vehicles, supporting police, ambulance and blue light applications with high-quality wiring looms and connection systems.
A Business Shaped for What’s Next
As we look ahead to 2026 and beyond, our focus remains clear. We are investing in people, developing new technologies, strengthening resilience in our infrastructure, and preparing for a move that will define the next phase of Sargent Electrical’s journey.
Having our MD recognised in the Great 100 is something we're immensely proud of. It’s a reminder of the values we stand for and the responsibility we have to keep pushing forward.
We look forward to welcoming Made in Yorkshire members over to Sargent Electrical once the new site is up and running and showcasing what will truly be a factory of the future.