25 Years of Switchboard Precision: A Conversation on Evolution, Craftsmanship, and Assembling for the Installer

By Ron, Switchboard Assembler at Excel Switchgear

Last week marked a milestone that doesn’t happen very often in modern manufacturing: I completed 25 years with Excel Switchgear. To celebrate, the team took me out for lunch to toast a quarter of a century on our workshop floor.

My time here spans 25 years, three eras of ownership, and a period of massive technological transformation in low-voltage switchboard manufacturing. Looking back over two and a half decades, a lot has changed in how we work, but the fundamental reason I’ve stayed remains the same.

Starting from Scratch

Looking back to my very first week at Excel, it was a complete shift in direction for me. Before starting here 25 years ago, I was making transformers, so stepping into switchboard manufacturing was a real challenge. Back then, the training style of the previous factory manager was pretty direct: he’d show you how to do something once, hand you a piece of paper, and say, “Right, off you go.” It was sink or swim, but it was a challenge I enjoyed right from the start.

Learning as the Technology Evolves

Over a quarter of a century, technology has changed dramatically, but you never stop learning. When I started, there were no electronics inside the breakers or components like there are today. Everything is smart now; integrated and designed to communicate across networks. You learn on the job as new designs come through; you see a new specification, think “That’s interesting,” and figure out the best way to assemble and execute it.

The tech moves fast, but the fundamental mechanics of building a solid board remain.

The Constant Through the Years

Excel has been through three different owners during my time here. People ask what core values have stayed the same throughout all that change, and my answer is immediate: quality. That has always been the constant. No matter who has owned the business, our core focus on the shop floor has been making the board the best it can possibly be.

Taking genuine pride in our workmanship is the main reason I’ve stayed here for 25 years.

Smart Tech vs. The Human Element

As switchboards get smarter, there is plenty of industry talk about automation and plug-and-play components, but I’m firm on the role human craftsmanship still plays today.

Tech can get as smart as it wants, but a machine doesn’t think about the electrician standing on site trying to land heavy cables in a tight plant room.

When we build a board at Excel, we are constantly talking with, and thinking about, what the contractor on the receiving end will need; where the board is going, what the site environment is like, and how difficult it’s going to be to get those cables in.

You don’t just build to a drawing; you build knowing the environment and the person who has to install and service it. We work together to get to a quality solution.

Pride in the Craft and Mentorship

That eye for detail was shaped early on by my former colleague Brian Blackwood, who had a massive impact on my career. Brian was at Excel when I started and made a lasting impact before retiring several years ago. He was famously finicky – he wanted everything to look spotless and work perfectly – and I picked up that exact same mindset.

That pride is obvious when looking at complex builds like the larger Schneider Prisma P boards. When you finish a massive build like that, step back, and look at how clean and impressive it is, there’s a genuine sense of accomplishment.

Looking to the Future

What keeps someone motivated after 25 years? For me, it comes down to enjoying the work and working alongside a great team on the floor. That makes coming to work easy. With new ownership stepping in, it’s exciting to see fresh ideas coming through and potential new directions for the business – especially around complementary tech like solar integration – all while keeping the core quality of what Excel has always built intact.

Whether you’re planning a new installation or an upgrade, getting the right fit matters. Based in Wellington, Excel Switchgear brings over 30 years of experience and more than 100,000 successfully built boards across New Zealand. We use that legacy of quality to tailor a switchboard exactly as you need it – ensuring compliance, reliability, and performance well into the future.

If you’re planning a new switchboard or considering an upgrade, get in touch to discuss your next project.