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From Factory to Field | Power Pillars for Project Connections, A Case Study

From Factory to Field | Power Pillars for Project Connections

Thorne & Derrick, a Specialist Electrical Distributor for Lucy Zodion, have successfully completed delivery of the industry-leading Fortress range of feeder pillars to a major street lighting project for the Highways Department of Nottinghamshire County Council. The project demonstrated our combined customer service excellence, communication speed and technical support while ensuring full compliance to client specification. Upon payment completion the consignment of 27 feeder pillars was delivered ex stock from factory to field within 3 days.

The Challenge

Fernmac Limited, sub-contracted to Nottinghamshire County Council, urgently required 27 galvanised steel feeder pillars delivered from stock to precise technical specifications for installation across the county’s highways network. Although Lucy Zodion was not the specified manufacturer, their Fortress range of feeder pillars recommended by Thorne & Derrick, fully satisfied the council’s design and performance requirements. Each feeder pillar was required to:

• Be constructed from galvanised steel with side-hinged doors and stainless steel/brass hinges
• Include a 15mm marine-grade plywood backboard, pre-treated with moisture-repellent lacquer
• Incorporate BS 88: Part 2 fuse links and a dedicated 10-way brass earth block
• Achieve a minimum IP34 ingress protection rating for outdoor installation
• Cut-outs and terminations integrated in accordance with Electricity Authority standards

Tight project timescales meant Fernmac needed a proactive and technically capable supply partner to coordinate specification, communication and logistics with Lucy Zodion.

The Solution

Upon receiving the enquiry, Thorne & Derrick reacted quickly to review the design drawings, confirm compatibility and liaised directly with Lucy Zodion to secure the required units from available stock. This rapid and coordinated approach ensured that the project remained on schedule, with all 27 feeder pillars delivered and installed in line and in time with the local authority requirements. By maintaining close communication between Fernmac, Lucy Zodion, and the council’s highways contractor, Thorne & Derrick ensured a smooth and efficient delivery process.

Results

The successful delivery of the feeder pillars demonstrated the value of agility, communication and collaboration across the supply chain.

Key outcomes:

• On-time Delivery: Project milestones were maintained without delay
• Specification Accuracy: Compliance with Nottinghamshire County Council’s design and regulatory requirements
• Customer Satisfaction: Clear communication between all stakeholders ensured confidence throughout the project

About Lucy Zodion

Lucy Zodion is a leading UK manufacturer of street lighting control and power distribution equipment. Their Fortress range of feeder pillars is designed for durability, safety, and performance across infrastructure, highways, and industrial applications. Learn more here.

Your Invite to Meet with the Faraday Power Group

The Faraday Centre, based at the Wilton Centre in Redcar & Cleveland specialise in the delivery of High Voltage & Electrical Safety Training Courses for AE’s, SAP’s, Jointers & Duty Holders operational up to 33kV across all industrial sectors  – manufacturing, renewables, BESS, offshore/marine, utilities, facilities management and data centres.

Many clients attend from across the UK and globally.

The Faraday Centre is home to and will be hosting the Inaugural Power Group Meeting, and we would like to personally invite you and your organisation to either Exhibit or attend as a Visitor.

The Faraday Power Group is a collective of companies rooted in the region of the North of England who work together with passion as a network to improve safety, introduce innovation and support entirely the requirements of the Electrical Power Industry.

Open Trade Day – The Faraday Centre

📅 Tuesday 25 November 2025
🕙 10:00 – 15:00 (Visitors’ Access)
📍 The Faraday Centre, Wilton Centre, Redcar & Cleveland
💼 Exhibitors & Visitors: Free of Charge

Purpose of the Day

• Bring together organisations from the North East and beyond
• Expand cross-sector relationships – Renewables ⚡Utilities ⚡Power ⚡Testing ⚡Protection⚡ Offshore ⚡ Manufacturing ⚡ HV/LV Electrical ⚡Tools ⚡Engineering ⚡Supply Chain ⚡Cable Jointing ⚡Switchgear & Transformers ⚡Electrical Safety
• Explore collaboration, partnerships and supply chain opportunities
• Celebrate the strength of local industry and regional economy to mutual benefits

What’s included (Free)

• Exhibitor stall (round table + seating)
• Chance to present or demonstrate your product/service
• Networking with key companies across multiple sectors
• Lunch included for exhibitors and attendees
• Parking included
• Transport available from the Wilton Centre Visitor’s Centre to The Faraday Centre
• Guided facility tours of The Faraday Centre

The Faraday Centre combines world leading electrical safety knowledge with the world’s best learning experiences to create High Voltage Training you can trust.

Important Site Information

The Wilton Centre is a COMAH site, therefore all visitors (including exhibitors) must complete a quick visitor safety induction. If completed online beforehand via our instructions, your pass will be ready on arrival. If completed on the day, please allow an additional 15–20 minutes to physically complete it with the Falck induction team.

⛔ No under-18s Permitted/ Right Of Admission Reserved (COMAH site).

Exhibitor Set-up

🕗 08:00 – 09:30
Stall space is compact – please plan for a round table display. You are welcome to bring a small banner and marketing materials, as well as demo products/merchandise. If you have any special requirements (power, equipment placement, product demonstrations), just let me know.

To Register Interest (Exhibit or Attend): please message : 📧 [email protected]

If you have dietary requirements or allergies, please include that in your reply so catering can accommodate appropriately.

We are incredibly proud of the innovation happening in the North East of England and want this to become a place where new partnerships, contracts and collaborations start. It would be great to have you with us.

Thanks, and we hope to welcome you on the day.

The Faraday Centre Ltd
The Wilton Centre Annexe
South Building
Wilton Centre
Redcar, TS10 4RF

LV-HV Jointing, Termination, Substation & Electrical Eqpt Distributors 600V to 66kV 

Authorised Stockists & Distributors for Leading HV Cable Accessory Manufacturers

Slaters Electricals | UK’s Largest Stock of New & Refurbished Power Distribution Equipment

Since 1923.

• uploaded by Chris Dodds | Thorne & Derrick Sales/Marketing Manager

Slaters Electrical are experts in the provision of LV MV HV Power, Distribution & Cast Resin Transformers, Switchgear, Installation, Maintenance, Site Services & Spares.

The Slaters Electricals installation division primarily operates from a dedicated base in Sheffield, with additional skilled engineers based at their Head Office and main works in Newcastle upon Tyne.

From these two sites Slaters Electricals offers a range of HV MV and LV installation and cable work services covering the whole of the UK.

➡ Contact t: 44 (0)191 414 2916 e: [email protected]

Switchgear & Transformers

MV HV Medium & High Voltage Power

The following photographs are published with the kind permission of Slaters Electricals and demonstrate their leading technical skills, knowledge and expertise in providing turnkey Medium & High Voltage Power Distribution solutions.

• 2no New 2000kVA 11kV/433V Midel Filled Tier 1 Distribution Transformers + LV Boxes to accommodate Schneider Canalis Busbar Trunking System
• New 7 Section Schneider Ringmaster Switchboard consisting of 5no 630A CE6-T4/21 & 2no 200A CE2-T2/21 Circuit Breakers
• 30V Battery Tripping Unit
• HV Cable Works & Cable Containment

All MV HV Power Distribution Switchgear & Transformers are checked, refurbished and tested by skilled time-served engineers prior to delivery.

• 11kV/110V AC Voltage Transformer fixed and moving portions for GEC VMX Switchgear despatched to a UK DNO on a same-day turnaround following a catastrophic failure in a distribution network Substation. Slaters Electricals provide a rapid-response to emergency power restoration enabled by extensive stocks of legacy and current technology switchgear and transformer spare parts at their 100,000 square foot facility.

Emergency deliveries of Power Distribution & Switchgear are achieved nationwide supported by the largest UK spares stocks and same day “load and run” delivery fleet.

• 2no refurbished Schneider GenieEvo VC2 200A Circuit Breakers after completing tests at Slaters Electricals – the range of refurbished switchgear stock includes most current production types including Schneider GenieEvo & Ringmaster, Hawker Siddeley/Brush Eclipse, ABB UniGear & ABB SafePlus as well as the widest available range of legacy UK manufactured types including Alstom, Brush, GEC, Long & Crawford, Reyrolle, South Wales, Yorkshire etc. Whether you need a spare part, a single extension panel or a full replacement switchboard, you can contact their Sales Engineers.

• New 2000kVA 11kV/433V Tier 1 Distribution Transformer complete with close coupled Schneider CN2-T1 200A Circuit Breaker and refurbished 3200A ABB SACE ACB Feeder Cabinet, contained within a custom fabricated tranformer bund. Slaters Electricals site services division attends site to complete MV HV & LV cable works and containment plus  installation-commissioning as part of a full supply and install MV Power Distribution solution including GRP enclosure and battery tripping unit.

2.5MVA 11000/433V Dyn11 Cast Resin MV Medium Voltage Transformers

2500kVA 11kV/433V Tier 1 Distribution Transformer

Fully Refurbished 11kV Eclipse 20ft Containerised Switchboard | Hire Options

THORNE & DERRICK

Thorne & Derrick are national distributors of LV, MV & HV Cable Installation, Jointing, Substation & Electrical Equipment – servicing businesses involved in cabling, jointing, substation, earthing, overhead line and electrical construction at LV, 11kV, 33kV, 66kV and EHV. Supplying a complete range of power cable accessories to support the installation and maintenance of low/medium and high voltage voltage power systems:

• Slip-on Cable Terminations
• Cold-shrink Cable Terminations
• Heat-shrink Cable Terminations
• Cable Joints – Heat & Cold-shrink
• Separable Connectors (Euromold)
• Surge Arresters & Switchgear/Transformer Bushings

Key Product Categories: Duct Seals | Cable Cleats | Cable Glands | Electrical Safety | Arc Flash Protection | Cable Jointing Tools | Cable Pulling | Earthing | Feeder Pillars | Cable Joints LV | Joints & Terminations MV HV 

Keeping High Voltage Electrical Switchgear Safe | An EA Technology Event

Testimonial

Organiser | EA Technology 

Event | Industrial Forum 2025 

Title | Keeping Electrical Switchgear Safe

Date | 14th October

Location | Chester Racecourse

By | Chris Dodds (Sales & Marketing Manager at Thorne & Derrick | Co-Exhibitor with Bill Earlie (Commercial Manager at PENTA Electrical Safety Products)

I would like to congratulate and thank the EA Technology Team for a highly professional, intensely engaging and strongly attended Event. The Forum successfully attracts Senior Power Engineers together sharing and shaping innovation, improvement and experiences combined with candid discussions of industry “pain-points” and appropriate responses.

These challenges included arc flash protection, cable duct sealing, competency complacency, predictive v reactive maintenance and adoptable guidance on ensuring documentation, policy and procedure are fit-for-purpose in the context of rapid and dynamic industry change.

The Event readily facilitated productive introductions to the highest-level KDM’s responsible for high voltage power reliability across all sectors of the economy.

We would not hesitate to recommend or attend future events organised by the EA Technology Team and look forward to future collaboration.

Pictured Left to Right | Bill Earlie (Commercial Manager PENTA Electrical Safety Products), Chris Dodds (T&D), Carl Cox (T&D Sales Engineer) & Jason Eardley (Sales Engineer PENTA).

EA Technology is a global, independent provider of end-to-end power engineering solutions, supporting customers in managing and operating electrical assets reliably, safely and efficiently. Recognised as a world-leading expert in its field, working collaboratively with partners across the energy, utilities, infrastructure and associated sectors.

Specialist Distributors of MV HV Cable Accessory & Connection Products

MV HV High Voltage Cable Joints | Cable Terminations | Cable Connectors | Distributed from Stock | UK & Export Sales

Thorne & Derrick distribute the most extensive range of MV HV Medium & High Voltage Cable Joints, Terminations & Connectors from manufacturers including 3M, Sudkabel, Prysmian, Nexans Euromold, Elastimold, Pfisterer CONNEX & SEANEX and Shrink Polymer Systems.

Heat shrink, cold shrink, push-on and slip-over cable accessories enable the jointing, terminating and connection of 11kV-33kV and 66kV-132kV cables to oil, air or gas insulated switchgear, transformers, motors and overhead lines distributing electricity at medium/high voltages.

Thorne & Derrick hold large stocks of 11kV 33kV 66kV Joints & Terminations suitable for XLPE, PILC and EPR cables, in both heat shrink and Cold Shrink technologies, to service the medium/high voltage power cable accessory requirements of UK and international customers.

Thorne & Derrick Celebrate 40 Years Supplying the Energy Industry

Thorne & Derrick International, the UK’s leading Specialist Distributor of LV HV Cable Accessories, Tooling & Hazardous Area Electrical Equipment, are celebrating 40 years of supplying products and solutions that ensure the safety and reliability of industrial heating, lighting and power systems.

From Fossil Fuels to Sustainable Future

Established in 1985 as a regional business supplying the fossil fuel and heavy industries, whose clients then included UK Coal plc, ICI Wilton and Swan Hunter Shipbuilders on the River Tyne, Thorne & Derrick have successfully innovated and evolved alongside the shifting and reshaped industry landscape over four decades. Today, they are proudly powering Energy Transition by delivering MV/HV Electrical Equipment & Cable Accessories to major renewable energy projects.

Our Shelf to Your Site, Globally

Thorne & Derrick are framework supply partners to ECP’s and international energy providers across the UK and Europe, including Spain, France, Germany, Switzerland, Sweden and Denmark – a highly successful, customer-centric and globally competitive business.

With a substantial Distribution & HV Cable Accessory Kitting Centre, multi-million pound stocks and Technical Sales Teams to specify and supply client requirements – T&D are servicing utilities, wind, solar, battery storage, rail, oil/gas, hydrogen and the explosive atmosphere sectors.

High Voltages & Hazardous Areas

“We are contributing to Green Grid electrification supported by our world-class supply chain including 3M, Nexans Euromold, Pfisterer, Lovink and Sudkabel; daily delivering Cable Accessories to joint, terminate and connect power literally from substation to socket,” comments Chris Dodds (Thorne & Derrick’s Sales & Marketing Manager).

“Equally, we are trusted and trained to supply correctly Certified Hazardous Area Equipment to ensure ATEX, IECEx and DSEAR Compliance. We provide customers with value-added solutions including design and survey services for heat trace and hazardous area lighting systems, Jointer Training Courses up to 66kV and accredited CPD’s across numerous industry subjects.”

Energy Transition

From those fossil fuel roots in the 1980’s onwards to Net Zero 2050, T&D have rapidly adapted, innovated and grown – their 40 year journey reflects a commitment to partnerships, investment in staff and a firm focus on delivering customer service excellence.

Thorne & Derrick have proactively pivoted towards the future; we are at the forefront in supporting a modernised renewable energy system, achieving industry decarbonisation via hydrogen and CCUS projects and committed to continued service to all customers in high-voltage, hazardous and harsh environments.

“Finally, in a powerful symbol of both business and industrial progress we return to the banks of the River Tyne and to the reimagined Swan Hunter site, where 40 years later we continue to service customers. Once a shipyard but today the UK manufacturing and services hub for offshore wind energy – it’s a full-circle moment that emphatically reflects Thorne & Derrick’s resilience and vision,” concludes Chris Dodds.

Thorne & Derrick are Specialist Distributors of LV HV Cable Installation, Jointing, Substation & Hazardous Area Electrical Equipment to international energy providers, EPC’s and HV Jointing Contractors working on the design, construction and maintenance of UK, European and international projects – T&D are servicing the utilities, wind, solar, battery storage, rail, oil/gas, hydrogen and the explosive atmosphere sectors.

T&D are Main UK Distributors of Medium Voltage Cable Joints, Terminations & Connectors from 3M Electrical, Lovink, Nexans Euromold, Pfisterer Connex and Sudkabel.