J. Shaw Group has successfully completed a major industrial electrical installation for W.Howard Group at its manufacturing plant in Astley, Greater Manchester.

The project formed part of the site’s continued investment in modern manufacturing infrastructure and involved providing the complete electrical installation for two new, state-of-the-art extraction systems.

Upgrading the Site’s LV Electrical Infrastructure

Ahead of the extraction system installation, our engineers carried out a planned upgrade to the plant’s low-voltage electrical distribution infrastructure over the Easter weekend.

The works included the installation of new Schneider Electric LV submain equipment, providing the additional electrical capacity required for the new plant and machinery.

By completing this critical stage during the Easter shutdown, our team was able to minimise disruption to W.Howard Group’s manufacturing operations and prepare the site for the next phase of the project.

Two New 300A Electrical Supplies

Following completion of the LV upgrade, J. Shaw Group installed two dedicated 300A electrical supplies for the new extraction systems.

The installation included:

• Two 300A LV electrical supplies
• Industrial cable containment systems
• Power distribution to the extraction equipment
• Electrical supplies for associated motors and control equipment
• Installation and connection of electric motors
• Installation and connection of variable-frequency drives and inverters
• Electrical testing and commissioning
• Coordination with the extraction system engineers and other site contractors

All containment and cabling were installed to provide a robust, professional and maintainable electrical system suitable for the demands of a busy timber manufacturing environment.

Motor and Inverter Installation

The new extraction systems incorporate multiple electric motors controlled through variable-frequency drives. These drives allow motor speeds to be accurately controlled to suit production requirements, helping the extraction equipment operate efficiently and reliably.

Our engineers completed the installation and connection of the motors, inverters and associated electrical supplies, working closely with the specialist extraction contractor throughout the project.

Careful coordination was essential to ensure that every part of the electrical installation aligned with the extraction equipment design, operating requirements and overall project programme.

This project demonstrates J. Shaw Group’s ability to deliver complete industrial electrical packages—from upgrading LV distribution equipment and installing high-current submains through to containment, machinery supplies, motor connections, inverter installations, testing and commissioning.

The works were carefully planned around W.Howard Group’s operational requirements, with the initial LV upgrade completed during a planned shutdown and the remaining installation coordinated alongside ongoing activity at the Astley plant.

We are proud to have supported W.Howard Group with this important investment in its manufacturing facilities and to have delivered the electrical infrastructure required for its new extraction systems.

Commercial and Industrial Electrical Contractors

Established in 1966, J. Shaw Group provides commercial and industrial electrical services throughout Manchester, Greater Manchester, Liverpool, Cheshire, Lancashire and Yorkshire.

Our services include:

• LV distribution and switchgear installations
• Industrial submains and power distribution
• Machinery and production-line electrical supplies
• Motor and inverter installations
• Industrial cable containment
• Factory electrical upgrades
• Planned shutdown works
• Electrical testing and certification
• Ongoing industrial maintenance and fault finding

If your business is planning a machinery installation, production-line upgrade or LV distribution project, contact J. Shaw Group to discuss your requirements.

J. Shaw Group — Commercial & Industrial Electrical Contractors Since 1966