German safety specialist sets up shop in the UK

The German safety switchgear specialist steute has set up a UK and Ireland operation, based in Martley, Worcestershire. Until recently, the company`s products have been handled in the UK by Schmersal, from which steute was spun off in 2003. The new operation`s general manager is Steven Hill, who previously worked for Schmersal for seven years.

Steute focuses on three main product areas: industrial control technology, including positioning switches, pull-wires, door handles, safety switches and footswitches; explosion-protection equipment, including sensors, safety switchgear and positioning switches; and control devices for medical applications.

In the UK, the company plans to focus mainly on machine safety equipment for hazardous areas - an area in which it is a world leader, according to Hill. He points out that steute has some unique products, including a range of products approved for use in dusty atmospheres, and a new range of wireless switches for hazardous areas. He adds that most of the company`s hazardous area products are certified for use in both gases and dusty atmospheres, unlike most rival products which do not have dust approval.

According to Hill, one of steute`s strengths is its ability to launch products rapidly to meet and exceed legislative requirements. He is planning to set up a network of around five specialist distributors in the UK and Ireland.