A leading UK manufacturer is creating a buzz with their newest electrical enclosure – the first fully-recyclable PVC Cabinet.
Historic Lancashire headquartered manufacturing company Ritherdon, are taking a leap into a more sustainable future by launching these innovative new cabinets as the family-owned firm celebrates its 130th anniversary.
Following months of research and development, combined with a six figure investment, Ritherdon PVC Cabinet range offers a new cost-effective solution for housing electrical equipment across a wide variety of applications, including EV chargers.
The innovative and durable PVC Cabinets are different from any other plastic electrical enclosure currently on the market, because they can be recycled, unlike the standard GRP – glass reinforced plastic – enclosures, which end up in landfill.
Managing Director Ben Ritherdon said: “Our PVC Cabinets are an innovative new product.
“They combine the strength of our traditional stainless steel cases with the usability and practicality of plastic – all while being totally recyclable.
“We came across the idea while trying to develop an alternative non-conductive product that combined the electrically insulating properties of fibreglass cabinets, but with the added bonus of being recyclable.
“We couldn’t believe nobody else was using PVC to make industrial electrical enclosures – it just made sense to us.
“The cabinet’s adaptability ensures that it meets the diverse needs of different industries, providing a secure and organised housing solution for electrical equipment, and they are recyclable, which is very important to us as a company.
“We want to provide customers with a product that is long-lasting, but also not damaging to the environment.”
Ritherdon’s innovative cabinets, which are manufactured at their factory in Darwen, are crafted from high-quality PVC over a metal frame, ensuring years of resistance to corrosion and environmental wear.
Designed with versatility in mind, applications for the PVC Cabinet are endless, from geothermal power stations to electric vehicle charging banks, telecoms equipment and advertising billboard housing to temporary building supplies.
Mark Blease is a senior designer at Ritherdon, and was responsible for the development of the new PVC cabinets.
He said: “When the project began over two years ago, our main criteria was recyclability.
“Of course, strength was imperative as well, as GRP is very brittle, compared to stainless steel.
“It was all about giving the same high qualities we produce in our metal cabinets, strength, long service life, reliability but in an alternative recyclable material.”
Ritherdon ensures that the PVC Cabinet complies with relevant industry standards, including those set by National Highways, as there is huge potential to install these cabinets along the roadside.
Each PVC Cabinet is also designed with enhanced security features, including a robust locking mechanism to prevent unauthorised access, ensuring the vital and expensive equipment within is kept secure.
Another bonus to the PVC Cabinet’s construction is it can be shipped to clients flat-packed, making them ideal for temporary housing solutions and exporting, and they are already receiving keen interest in their customisable cabinets internationally, including France, Australia, New Zealand and Iceland.
Ben said: “We have tested our PVC Cabinets extensively, and they can comfortably and safely be moved while holding half a tonne of equipment or more.
“This is vital, because often these industrial-sized electrical boxes are assembled off site and need installing.
“These components are often incredibly heavy, so we knew we needed to create a product that is stronger than our clients’ needs, so our customers and their contractors to be able to lift and install fully-populated cabinets on site safely.
“We believe that, as feeder pillars, they will typically have a service life of around ten to twenty years but it’s reassuring to know that once they have reached the end of their usefulness, our PVC Cabinets will not end up as industrial waste.”
Established in 1895, Ritherdon has a long-standing reputation for innovation and quality in the manufacturing of electrical enclosures and related products, and have around 40 staff at their headquarters in Darwen.
Over the years, the company has evolved its product range to meet the changing needs of various industries, focusing on solving complex problems and delivering high-quality solutions.
Ben added: “The introduction of the PVC Cabinet underscores Ritherdon’s dedication to providing innovative and reliable solutions for electrical enclosure needs, while looking toward the future.
“The combination of durability, versatility, and security makes it a valuable addition to our product line, as it caters to a broad spectrum of applications and we know it will be setting new standards in the industry.”
