Lancashire manufacturer creates innovative recyclable housing cabinets for worldwide market

A leading Lancashire manufacturer is set to turn the worldwide electrical enclosure industry on its head with the introduction of their new, fully-recyclable PVC Cabinet.

Historic Darwen-based manufacturing company Ritherdon are taking a leap into a more sustainable future, by launching these innovative new cabinets as the family-owned firm celebrates its 130th anniversary.

Following over two years of research and development, combined with a six figure investment, Ritherdon PVC Cabinet range offers a new cost-effective, greener solution for housing electrical equipment across a wide variety of applications.​

The innovative and durable PVC Cabinets are different from any other plastic electrical enclosure currently on the market, because they can be recycled, unlike the standard GRP – glass reinforced plastic – enclosures, which end up in landfill.

Ben Ritherdon, managing director, said: “Our PVC Cabinets are an innovative new product that combines the usability, strength and practicality of our stainless steel cases with the electrical insulation properties of plastic - all while being totally recyclable.

“Our PVC cabinets have applications globally, and we are already receiving interest from all over the world.”

Ritherdon’s innovative cabinets, which are manufactured at their factory in Darwen, are crafted from high-quality PVC over a metal frame, ensuring years of resistance to corrosion and environmental wear.

The cabinet’s robust construction provides reliable protection for electrical components, maintaining functionality and extending service life.​

Designed with versatility in mind, the PVC Cabinet caters to a wide range of applications, including the commercial EV charging sector, where they are already being used to replace non-recyclable GRP housing.

Mark Blease is a senior designer at Ritherdon, and was responsible for the development of the new PVC cabinets.

He said: “When the project began over two years ago, our main criteria was recyclability.

“Of course, strength was imperative as well, as GRP is very brittle, compared to stainless steel.

“It was all about giving the same high qualities we produce in our metal cabinets, strength, long service life, reliability but in an alternative recyclable material.”

Ritherdon has historically focused on stainless steel metalwork, and are using their decades of experience to ensure the supporting structure inside each PVC Cabinet is strong and sturdy, and resistant to corrosion.

Ben said: “We couldn’t believe nobody else was using PVC to make industrial electrical enclosures – it just made sense to us.

“The cabinet’s adaptability ensures that it meets the diverse needs of different industries, providing a secure and organised housing solution for electrical equipment.​

“Our cabinets, while strong and durable, are also recyclable, which was very important to us as a company.

“We want to provide customers with a product that is long-lasting, but also not damaging to the environment.

“We wanted to create a product that is an alternative to metal, but also recyclable.

“GRP produces a huge amount of landfill, but PVC is widely recycled, and that was something we knew we wanted to take advantage of.”

Each PVC Cabinet is also designed with enhanced security features, including a robust locking mechanism to prevent unauthorised access, ensuring the vital and expensive equipment within is kept secure.

Ritherdon ensures that the PVC Cabinet complies with relevant industry standards, including those set by National Highways, as there is huge potential to install these cabinets along the country’s roadside, and they are already in talks with national EV charger provider Instavolt.

The company are also receiving keen interest in their cabinets internationally, including France, Australia, New Zealand and Iceland.

Ben added: “The introduction of the PVC Cabinet underscores Ritherdon’s dedication to providing innovative and reliable solutions for electrical enclosure needs, while looking toward the future.

“The combination of durability, versatility, and security makes it a valuable addition to our product line, as it caters to a broad spectrum of applications and we know it will be setting new standards in the industry.”