Nottingham-based company Blackburn Starling is an automation solutions provider and manufacturer of bespoke Low Voltage control systems. It has recently become a Siemens Sivacon S8 Power Partner.

Siemens has added Blackburn Starling, the Nottingham-based Low Voltage electrical equipment manufacturer, to its roster of authorised Sivacon S8 Power Partners. The midlands firm becomes one of two UK companies to currently hold this prestigious title. Operating under license, Blackburn Starling will build Siemens’ industry-leading Sivacon S8 system – the Low Voltage intelligent switchboard that has been at the forefront of industrial infrastructure for the last 15 years – at its purpose-built factory on Queens Drive.

“As one of the most revered names in the country for the design, fabrication, assembly and testing of Low Voltage Motor Control Centres (MCC’s) as well as switchboards, control panels, systems integration and metal fabrication, we are delighted to welcome Blackburn Starling as a Siemens S8 Power Partner,” commented Darren Motley, Product Manager for Sivacon S8. “Only firms that adhere to the strictest quality standards, audit and testing regimes are entrusted to build Sivacon S8, which has set the optimum standards for power distribution applications over the years.”

Darren continued: “With a rich depth of engineering experience and extensive project knowledge in the deployment of power systems across a range of industrial markets Blackburn Starling is one of the most capable firms familiar with the origination, upgrade, modification, re-testing and certification of Low Voltage assemblies and assets.”

Built to IEC 61439-2 standards, the Siemens Sivacon S8 Low Voltage intelligent switchboard delivers power up to 6300 Amps for use as a power Distribution Board or Motor Control Centre in both industrial and infrastructure applications. Modular in design, the Sivacon S8 system offers versatility and adaptability with easily changeable motor starter units. The Sivacon S8 system is tested to robust safety standards and offers active protection against internal arcing (exceeding IEC/TR 61641 conditions). This intelligent switchboard can also be fully digitalized. When managed under the SIMARIS control visualisation application, users can monitor all the switching devices, status information and diagnostics, and can also integrate the unit to energy management, automation solutions and cloud-based analysis systems.

“The Blackburn Starling Siemens SIVACON S8 Partner agreement brings a significant step change in the solutions that we are able to offer & deliver to our customers and end users,” added Jason Smith, Operations Director Blackburn Starling. “The signing of the Blackburn Starling Siemens SIVACON S8 Partner agreement brings celebrations and great cheer to all our staff in Nottingham where we operate an innovative, profitable and growing business through being customer focused, ensuring all our people maximise their potential.”

Smith concluded: “The Siemens Sivacon S8 solution will enhance our current product, driving innovation into the solutions for our customers.”

Blackburn Starling’s in-house manufacturing facility is fully accredited and provides high quality metal fabrication, manufacture and coatings to quality standard ISO 9001:2015. Blackburn Starling currently operates in industrial markets such as nuclear, water, pharmaceuticals and food and beverages.

In excess of 300,000 switchboards have been built and installed by Siemens Sivacon Partners worldwide.

from left-right): Darren Motley; Product Manager Siemens, Garfield Turner; Finance Director Blackburn Starling, Mark Harrison; Head of Electrical Products Business Unit Siemens, Jason Smith; Operations manager Blackburn Starling.

Siemens Smart Infrastructure (SI) is shaping the market for intelligent, adaptive infrastructure for today and the future. It addresses the pressing challenges of urbanization and climate change by connecting energy systems, buildings and industries. SI provides customers with a comprehensive end-to-end portfolio from a single source – with products, systems, solutions and services from the point of power generation all the way to consumption. With an increasingly digitalized ecosystem, it helps customers thrive and communities progress while contributing toward protecting the planet. SI creates environments that care. Siemens Smart Infrastructure has its global headquarters in Zug, Switzerland, and has around 72,000 employees worldwide.

Siemens AG (Berlin and Munich) is a global technology powerhouse that has stood for engineering excellence, innovation, quality, reliability and internationality for more than 170 years. Active around the world, the company focuses on intelligent infrastructure for buildings and distributed energy systems and on automation and digitalization in the process and manufacturing industries. Siemens brings together the digital and physical worlds to benefit customers and society. Through Mobility, a leading supplier of intelligent mobility solutions for rail and road transport, Siemens is helping to shape the world market for passenger and freight services. Via its majority stake in the publicly listed company Siemens Healthineers, Siemens is also a world-leading supplier of medical technology and digital health services. In addition, Siemens holds a minority stake in Siemens Energy, a global leader in the transmission and generation of electrical power that has been listed on the stock exchange since September 28, 2020. In fiscal 2019, which ended on September 30, 2019, the Siemens Group generated revenue of €58.5 billion and net income of €5.6 billion. As of September 30, 2019, the company had around 295,000 employees worldwide on the basis of continuing operations. Further information is available on the Internet at www.siemens.com.

Siemens Sivacon S8 low-voltage intelligent switchboard system