Schneider Electric, the leader in the digital transformation of energy management and automation, today is calling on organisations to address the “Silent Saboteur” – the hidden, cumulative risks that quietly undermine business operations, safety, and efficiency.
Drawing on insights from audits of over 400 customer sites worldwide, Schneider Electric’s latest Industry Insight Report reveals that many organisations are unknowingly exposed to operational threats that can have catastrophic financial and reputational consequences.
Types of risk identified
- Safety and compliance gaps: 98% of sites had electrical safety risks, and 93% had not conducted recent protection coordination studies, leaving them vulnerable to safety incidents and regulatory non-compliance.
- Obsolete equipment: 79% of audited sites were found to be running outdated electrical equipment, increasing the risk of unexpected failures and costly downtime.
- Lack of critical spare parts: 71% of sites lacked essential spare parts, putting business continuity at risk and extending recovery times in the event of a breakdown.
- Poor maintenance practices: Nearly a third of sites had damaged or poorly maintained capacitor banks, compounding power quality and stability issues.
- Limited operational visibility: Many organisations still rely on manual processes and siloed data, making it difficult to detect inefficiencies or anticipate failures before they escalate.
Kas Mohammed, Schneider Electric’s Vice President for Services UK&I said:
“Too often, organisations focus on headline investments while overlooking the operational fundamentals that keep their business running. The real risk lies in the hidden faults – those silent saboteurs – that quietly erode efficiency and resilience. The good news is increased monitoring and digitalisation of assets stops the saboteur lurking in the shadows, and organisations can be on the front foot when it comes to managing their operations.”
For more information on how to unmask the Silent Saboteur and future-proof your operations, contact Schneider Electric or visit www.se.com/uk/en/.