BRUSH Transformers have supplied, manufactured, designed and installed a brand new 132kV – 11kV transformer at a Cheapside substation in Birmingham; an excellent demonstration of BRUSH’s capability to meet logistical challenges in city centre environments.
The task of installing the new 132kV – 11kV transformer at the Cheapside substation in Birmingham proved to be challenging due to the limited accessibility. Access to the substation was only possible via a narrow corridor, and to complete the job safely and quickly, BRUSH engineers had to devise a solution for moving the large transformer unit into place.
BRUSH engineers provided a solution by splitting the 132kV transformer unit, along with the related cooling banks, into two individual units. By doing so, they significantly reduced the overall transportation height of the units, and reduced the amount of on-site assembly work required.
A team of engineers from BRUSH oversaw every aspect of the project, with some of the work being undertaken at the weekend. The team worked closely with various specialist contractors who transported the transformer and conducted precision crane lifts. Every detail of the project was carefully planned and executed by BRUSH’s dedicated team.
Transformer Services Manager, Justin Johnson at BRUSH Transformers stated, “The Cheapside project is another fine example of what BRUSH does best. We are known for taking on those jobs that require real engineering innovation and hands-on skills.”
He went on to say that:
“It isn’t easy transporting a 132kV transformer unit of this size into a tight urban centre space but, thanks to our team thinking ‘outside-of-the-box’, we were able to bring it to fruition with precision. “
All-Energy 2026: From concept to connection, and beyond
Engineering solutions provider, BRUSH Group, made its debut appearance at this year’s All-Energy Exhibition & Conference held at the SEC Glasgow.
Providing a platform to showcase its engineering solutions and product portfolio, the event brought together professionals from across the energy sector.
Demonstrating its breadth of capability, BRUSH shared demonstrations of CRYNO, the latest addition to its switchgear portfolio, along with news and updates about its service and solutions offering which includes design and build, consultancy, authorising, fully accredited ICP generation connections, maintenance, and turnkey solutions for critical power and grid infrastructure projects across the UK.
Speaking about the event Group Marketing Manager, Kellie Tillyer said: “We are delighted to have exhibited at All-Energy, particularly in a year where we are celebrating 150 years of BRUSH innovation.”
She continued:
“The event provided a valuable opportunity to share with visitors how BRUSH is at the heart of the renewable and low carbon energy conversation, and how, through our extensive experience, we are ideally positioned to support the delivery of future-ready critical infrastructure.”
BRUSH Group is a chosen partner for national and regional power generation and distribution network operators, through innovation and a commitment to delivering solutions that address grid-resilience and drive system change, the company supports the global drive to net zero, helping to create a future-proof infrastructure that meets the needs of today’s changing energy landscape.
BRUSH marks 150 years of innovation with special exhibition
An interactive new exhibition has opened which celebrates BRUSH’s long history as well as its links with the Leicestershire town of Loughborough.
Home to the company since 1879, the exhibition, titled Keeping The Lights On charts the company from its namesake, Charles Francis Brush’s early years as an innovator and entrepreneur, to today as a company developing innovative, sustainable engineering solutions for critical infrastructure projects across the UK.
Housed at Charnwood Museum, in the heart of the East Midland’s town, this interactive exhibition highlights the contribution of generations of colleagues who together have helped to shape the business and build the UK’s energy network through the solutions designed and manufactured at the site.
Speaking of the exhibition, BRUSH Group CEO, Nicolas Pitrat said: “BRUSH has a long and rich heritage, and it is a history that we share with the town of Loughborough and its people. We’ve been a major employer in the region for generations of people who together have played a key role in shaping the UK’s energy landscape.
“It’s a pleasure to be able to share our story through this exhibition and highlight the importance of BRUSH, our employees and the town to the country’s critical energy infrastructure, in the past, present and future.”
Councillor Kevin Crook, Leicestershire County Council’s cabinet member for heritage, said: “The history detailed in this exhibition just shows how powerful and meaningful heritage and legacy can be.
“I know this exhibition will mean a lot to local communities who may have grown up in the local area, who are employees of the manufacturer or even visitors to the area, who get a glimpse of the iconic BRUSH neon sign when arriving in Loughborough rail station.
“It’s a great celebration for BRUSH and it really highlights how Leicestershire is thriving, bolstering business and supporting economic growth. I’d encourage everyone to visit the museum and see this local piece of history brought to life.”
Councillor Anne Gray, Charnwood Borough Council’s Lead Member for Leisure Facilities, said: “Having BRUSH in Loughborough is something for the whole town to be proud of.
“This exhibition at Charnwood Museum will shine a light on the work they have done as a global business for so many years, and it is a fantastic opportunity for residents and visitors to discover how Loughborough has contributed to international engineering excellence.”
The exhibition is free entry and open from Saturday 9 May until Sunday 27 September. Charnwood Museum is open Wednesday to Saturday, from 10am to 4pm and Sunday 1pm to 4pm.
Loughborough, UK: Energy engineering solutions company BRUSH Group has acquired iDESo Group, home of industrial switchgear specialists Allenwest Limited and Baldwin & Francis Limited from Longacre Group, the UK-based evergreen B2B investment company, in a deal which will see the Group’s switchgear manufacturing capabilities increase significantly.
The takeover boosts BRUSH’s product range and aftermarket service capabilities and enables the Group to develop a nationwide OEM-agnostic service platform that will both benefit and allow growth beyond BRUSH’s established, predominantly DNO,customer base.
Allenwest, established in 1918 and based in Prestwick, Scotland, employs around 40 people and specialises in electrical control and hazardous area equipment. Baldwin & Francis, founded in 1919 in Sheffield, England, also employs circa 40 and is best known for its expertise in electrical equipment for the toughest of environments – including industrial, utilities, energy and rail.
By combining the two businesses’ field service engineering expertise, which includes maintenance, repair, overhaul and 24/7 technical support, BRUSH can deliver flexible, end-to-end power engineering solutions, across a broader range of core industries such as energy, water, technology, transport, manufacturing, and commercial development.
Nicolas Pitrat, CEO of BRUSH Group, said:
“We are delighted to welcome the teams from Allenwest and Baldwin & Francis into the BRUSH family. It is apt that in a year when we are celebrating 150 years of innovation that we welcome these highly respected, pioneering brands to our Group.”
“Along with engineering expertise, these acquisitions bring complementary market positions and expand our portfolio into new areas, enabling us to build a more diversified and resilient organisation that is focused on exceeding customer expectations.”
He concluded:
“The additional expertise of our new colleagues means BRUSH is well-placed to deliver an enhanced aftermarket service offering across an even broader range of products and geographical locations, something we know is important to our customers, and to the energy security of the UK.”
The integration of Allenwest and Baldwin & Francis also allows BRUSH to leverage established production, assembly and distribution systems as well as certifications and accreditations which strengthen BRUSH’s already impressive technical expertise.
In addition, the acquisition expands BRUSH’s product portfolio to include equipment certified to ATEXand IECExstandards – widely recognised certifications ensuring equipment safety in hazardous and explosive environments. These accreditations unlock entry into new, high-growth markets for BRUSH while enhancing credibility across regulated industries.
Neil Shailer, CEO of Baldwin & Francis and Allenwest said: “BRUSH is a well-established player with a strong reputation across the sector, and we are incredibly excited to become part of this dynamic and future-focused business.”
He added “It’s a fresh chapter and one that we relish as we look to collaborating and innovating with our new colleagues. I’d like to extend my thanks to Longacre Group for their support over the years in positioning our businesses ready for even further growth.”
Stani Schmidt, CEO of Longacre Group added: “During our ownership, we built iDESo into a UK leader in mission-critical switchgear, bringing together Baldwin & Francis and Allenwest, sharpening the Group’s focus on premium specialised solutions for blue-chip customers, nearly doubling revenues over six years. We are proud of what the team has built and confident that BRUSH, with its scale and technical reputation, is the ideal partner to take that story forward.”
BRUSH Group set to return at Data Centre World 2026
For the second year in a row, BRUSH Group is heading to Data Centre World to share its innovative range of electrical power products, services, and solutions.
Held at the ExCeL, London, between 4 and 5 March, Data Centre World is a one-stop event for the data centre industry, and provides the perfect opportunity for manufacturers and suppliers to the sector to meet with clients and project partners. On stand E35, the BRUSH team will be on hand to discuss the company’s capabilities, including their end-to-end engineering solutions, innovative products portfolio and aftermarket services, which together help to meet the demands of mission-critical data centre projects.
BRUSH Group Sales Director, Rob Clarey, who will be on the stand, said of the event: “This is a special event for us, last year we chose it as the place to launch the latest addition to our switchgear portfolio, CRYNO, and this year, we’re marking our 150years of innovation as we celebrate 150 years since our namesake, Charles Frances Brush, invented his electric dynamo, from which the brand we are today grew!”
He continued:
“Last year’s event was a great success, providing the opportunity to interact with many visitors and we look forward to this year demonstrating what BRUSH has to offer to an even wider range of visitors.”
BRUSH Group sponsors Loughborough’s 2025 Christmas lights switch-on
UK engineering leader BRUSH Group brought festive spirit and community pride to Loughborough as the headline sponsor of the town’s Christmas Lights Switch-On. The annual celebration, attended by residents, marked the official start of the Christmas season and reinforced BRUSH’s deep ties to the community.
The event was organised with Charnwood Borough Council and Fosse 107 radio. It featured live entertainment, a countdown led by the mayor, and the illumination of Loughborough’s Christmas lights.
Kellie Tillyer, Marketing Manager at BRUSH Group, said: “As a business with deep roots in Loughborough, we’re proud to be part of such a cherished tradition. Supporting the Christmas Lights Switch-On is our way of giving back to the community and celebrating the spirit of togetherness that defines our town.”
BRUSH is a long-standing champion of innovation and community investment. It used the occasion to highlight its commitment to sustainability and local engagement.
Founded in 1879, BRUSH Group has grown into a UK leader in power engineering, with a reputation for championing technical excellence. “Events like this showcase the best of Loughborough,” added Tillyer. “We’re delighted to help light up the town and bring people together to celebrate.”
The Christmas Lights Switch-On remains a highlight of the Loughborough calendar. With BRUSH Group’s support, this year’s event captured the magic and unity of the festive season.
BRUSH Group promotes its energy management credentials at COP30
British energy engineering solutions provider BRUSH Group is set to promote its role as an enabler of decarbonisation at the UN’s forthcoming COP30, the world’s most important event on climate change – this year held in Brazil from 10 to 21 November.
BRUSH’s role in the delivery of net zero will be highlighted at the 30th Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC (COP30) through activities coordinated by the SJH Group in its capacity as the official media partner for World Engineering Day – an annual global initiative of the World Federation of Engineering Organizations (WFEO).
As part of its collaboration with the SJH Group, BRUSH features in a new film that explores how engineering innovation is helping to drive a more sustainable future. The film, available to view here forms part of a wider initiative celebrating industrial leadership and resilience.
The production was created by the SJH Group as part of celebrations to mark the 325th anniversary of the 1701 Act of Settlement – one of the most significant pieces of legislation in British history, which helped establish the authority of Parliament to govern the country. Supported by a book produced by the SJH Group for the History of Parliament Trust, the focus of these historic celebrations is the transformation of British and Commonwealth industry, emphasising the resilience, innovation and sustainability in British manufacturing and supply chains. BRUSH is a prime example of a business that has continually reinvented itself as new technologies have emerged, adapting to shifting market demand whilst retaining its reputation for engineering prowess.
Today BRUSH is a leader in the design, manufacture, and installation of power transformers, electrical switchgear, and complementary engineering solutions. With business units in England, Scotland and Wales, the Loughborough-based company has a critical role to play in addressing the twin challenges of energy security and decarbonisation.
The story of BRUSH will also be captured in a forthcoming commemorative book 100 Years of Monarchy and Democracy: The Crown, Parliament and the Commonwealth spanning a century of governance, legislation, and constitutional change, bringing together key historical moments from the monarchy and politics, alongside factors that have shaped British industry.
Nicolas Pitrat, CEO of BRUSH Group said: “It’s a real honour for BRUSH to be recognised as part of these initiatives and at COP. We have been part of the UK’s industrial journey for almost 150 years, and the work we do directly impacts critical energy infrastructure – supporting every aspect of our daily lives.
“Whether it’s a hospital, a railway, or a wind farm, the connections we enable help make the UK’s energy systems stronger, cleaner, and smarter. To put it simply, we’re as much a part of Britain’s future as we are its history and having the opportunity to celebrate that, especially during COP, is a proud moment for all of us at BRUSH.”
BRUSH Group to be acquired by energy investor Greenbelt Capital Partners
BRUSH Group Ltd, (“BRUSH” or the “Company”) a leading engineering solutions provider for UK electrical infrastructure projects, announced today that funds managed by Greenbelt Capital Management L.P. (“Greenbelt” or “Greenbelt Capital Partners”) have signed a definitive agreement to acquire the Company from funds managed by OEP Capital Advisors, L.P. (“One Equity”).
A true UK success story, BRUSH has greatly contributed to the UK’s electrical energy infrastructure for almost 150 years and operates from multiple locations across the UK as well as in Italy.
A trusted provider of power transformers, electrical switchgear, and engineering solutions for the transition to net zero, this transaction will see the firm build on the strong and sustained growth it has enjoyed in recent years, with reported revenue of circa £150M annually.
Through its innovative range of engineered products and engineering solutions, BRUSH supports both grid resilience and grid extension, enabling infrastructure upgrades, renewable energy integration, and capacity expansion to meet ever-increasing demand.
Nicolas Pitrat, CEO of BRUSH, said: “This deal represents a brilliant opportunity for BRUSH. From the outset, Greenbelt has liked what we do, and they are committed to supporting us as we continue to build on our enviable reputation for engineering excellence and technical know-how.
What makes this deal genuinely exciting is that Greenbelt has a wealth of expertise in the energy sector and are experts on growing businesses operating within the energy transition.”
He added, “On behalf of the BRUSH team, I would like to thank One Equity, who have been transformative for BRUSH over the last four years. We now look to the future with a new partner who are primed and ready to take us to the next level as we continue to deliver ever-more innovative and customer-focused solutions.”
Andy Hopping, Partner at Greenbelt, said: “Grid enablement and energy resilience are core themes at Greenbelt. We believe BRUSH plays a vital role in enabling the UK’s evolving electricity infrastructure—providing the equipment and engineering expertise needed to integrate renewables, upgrade aging assets, and meet rising demand. We are excited to partner with BRUSH’s seasoned leadership team and bring our sector experience to help support the company’s next phase of growth.”
Speaking on behalf of One Equity, Ori Birnboim, Partner, said: “One Equity is proud to have supported BRUSH through a remarkable journey of strategic growth since 2021. We thank Nicolas, the entire management team, and all of BRUSH’s employees for their unrelenting commitment to delivering best-in-class solutions for customers while keeping to their core values of safety, quality, and customer satisfaction.”
Notes for editors:
About Greenbelt Capital Partners
Greenbelt Capital Partners is a private equity firm with offices in Austin, TX and New York, NY. The firm focuses on investing in leading middle-market companies that are enabling the transition to a more resilient and electrified energy future. With $2.5 billion in assets under management, Greenbelt aims to partner with exceptional management teams to drive growth and build lasting value across its portfolio. The senior team at Greenbelt has committed approximately $6 billion of equity capital across multiple portfolio companies and consummated over $70 billion of M&A and financings in over 260 transactions. For more information, visit www.greenbeltcapital.com.
About One Equity Partners
One Equity Partners (“OEP”) is a middle market private equity firm focused on the industrial, healthcare, and technology sectors in North America and Europe. The firm seeks to build market-leading companies by identifying and executing transformative business combinations. OEP is a trusted partner with a differentiated investment process, a broad and senior team, and an established track record generating long-term value for its partners. Since 2001, the firm has completed more than 400 transactions worldwide. OEP, founded in 2001, spun out of JP Morgan in 2015. The firm has offices in New York, Chicago, Frankfurt and Amsterdam. For more information, please visit www.oneequity.com.
News
Data Centre World 2025: From concept to connection, and beyond
It was a double-debut for BRUSH Group at this year’s Data Centre World, held 12-13 March at ExCel London, not only did the engineering solutions firm make their first-ever appearance as exhibitors, but it was also a first-time exhibition outing for CRYNO, the latest addition to the company’s product portfolio and the next-step in switchgear evolution.
Through its engineering solutions offering, the company brings together its extensive experience, engineering skills, and technical capabilities, to provide a wide range of solutions including bespoke design and build, authorising, consultancy, fully accredited ICP generation connections, as well as maintenance and retrofits to data centres and other high-voltage infrastructure projects .
Speaking of the show, Group Marketing Manager, Kellie Tillyer, said: “We are thrilled to be part of Data Centre World 2025, the event provides an opportunity to share with visitors the capabilities we have across our Group to deliver innovative, future-forward turnkey solutions that meet the needs of data centre projects of all sizes.”
Visitors to the stand were also able to meet with experts from BRUSH Transformers and BRUSH Switchgear and have the opportunity to see CRYNO, a 12kV fixed pattern, indoor, metal-enclosed, vacuum switchgear, in action. Boasting advanced vacuum switching technology, CRYNO is SF6 free and has a modular design to suit the UK DNO market. Offering impressive space-saving, ease of installation and enhanced safety for operators, CRYNO has an ENA notice of conformity.
BRUSH acquires majority stake in Scottish engineering contractor McGowan Group
BRUSH Group has acquired a majority stake in Scottish infrastructure and environmental engineering contractor McGowan Group.
The deal sees the Aviemore based firm, who are a NERS accredited Independent Connection Provider (ICP), become a key part of BRUSH Engineering Solutions – a leader in turnkey solutions to the UK’s power distribution network.
Based in Aviemore in the Scottish Highlands, McGowan employs around 60 people in three business units:
McGowan Infrastructure, specialist in cabling, ducting, pipework, substation and access infrastructure and accredited ICP within the public and private sectors.
McGowan Environmental, design and construction services with a focus on delivering projects which protect and enhance the natural environment.
Eco Cable Protect UK, supplier of exclusive and innovative cable protection and installation technology for the UK’s onshore energy and utility industries.
Ross McGowan, of McGowan Group who founded the business in 2009 and continues as Managing Director alongside the existing management team, said: “Becoming part of BRUSH Group is an exciting new chapter in our story and we’re looking forward to working with the team at BRUSH to apply our approach to working in the natural environment to a broader range of customers as we support the growth of the business across the UK.”
Nicolas Pitrat, CEO of BRUSH Group, said of the deal: “This is an exciting deal for both BRUSH and McGowan, creating significant growth opportunities both north and south of the border. There are strong synergies between our two businesses and McGowan’s impressive environmental credentials add a new dimension to our engineering capabilities. What’s more, their exclusive Eco Cable Protect business gives BRUSH customers a lower cost, lower carbon alternative protection system for cable and pipe laying projects across the UK.”
He continued: “2024 has been yet another year of transformation for BRUSH – one where we have made huge strides towards our vision of delivering complete turnkey solutions for our customers. We are changing the landscape of the industry, redefining what it is to be an original equipment manufacturer; using our hard-earned experience, industry expertise, and drive for excellence to build a business fit for the future. As we move into 2025, we are in a stronger position than ever to deliver industry-leading products, services and solutions to support the UK’s energy transition.”
