Supply chain disruption, skills shortages, and declining contractor accountability have reshaped how many electrical manufacturers approach project delivery. For NESMA member Nevmat Australia, these challenges have driven a deliberate shift toward vertically integrated, in-house capability across switchboard manufacturing, logistics, and power solutions.
Nevmat Australia, a family-owned industrial power solutions provider, specialises in custom switchboards, Motor Control Centres (MCCs), and integrated electrical and mechanical services across manufacturing, infrastructure, data centres, and food production.
The company’s recent focus has centred on strengthening control over quality and delivery.
“We’ve seen increasing variability in contractor performance and ongoing supply chain instability,” said Jonathan Andrews, Electrical Engineering Manager, Nevmat Australia. “Our response has been to bring more capability in-house so we can maintain consistent engineering standards, manage project timelines, and provide a more predictable outcome for our customers.”
The company operates a large-scale fabrication and manufacturing facility equipped with laser cutting, pressing, guillotining, and laser welding technology. By designing and building switchboards in-house, Nevmat Australia reduces dependency on external suppliers and retains direct oversight of engineering quality from concept through assembly.
Additionally, Nevmat Australia owns and operates its own heavy rigid transport fleet, including crane-equipped vehicles, enabling the company to manage delivery and on-site handling without third-party contractors. According to Andrews, this level of integration provides a single point of accountability and reduces risk during critical installation stages.
Skills development and standards through NESMA
Nevmat Australia’s leadership team actively participates in NESMA education and training programs to stay aligned with evolving standards and emerging technologies within the switchboard sector.
“NESMA training provides practical insights into standards, technical developments, and management practices,” Andrews said.
“NESMA has been an invaluable partner in the professional development of our leadership team. Our upper management, including key decision-makers, has consistently participated in the educational and training programs offered by NESMA. These programs have provided them with critical insights into emerging industry standards, advanced management strategies, and the latest technological innovations, particularly within the switchboard manufacturing sector.”
“This high-level knowledge doesn’t just stay in the executive office. A core part of our philosophy is to ensure that this expertise is passed down throughout the entire organisation. The training our management receives from NESMA forms the foundation of our internal professional development programs. This creates a cycle where the latest knowledge is disseminated to every technician and engineer on our team, ensuring that the principles of quality, safety, and innovation are embedded in our company culture and reflected in the work we do every day. This top-down approach to education, facilitated by NESMA, is a key reason we can maintain such a high level of skill and consistency across our workforce.”
Designing for resilience and power security
Another trend shaping Nevmat Australia’s strategy is increasing demand for backup power solutions driven by concerns around grid reliability and operational continuity. In response, the company has expanded its capability to include integrated standby power solutions, supported by its own diesel generator fleet.
“We’re seeing clients prioritise resilience and uptime more than ever,” Andrews said. “By combining engineered switchboards with standby power solutions, we can deliver complete power security systems that address both distribution and continuity.”
This integrated approach aligns with broader industry shifts toward resilience-focused infrastructure design, particularly in sectors where operational downtime carries significant financial or safety risks.
Responding to a changing manufacturing environment
The post-COVID environment has highlighted vulnerabilities across supply chains and workforce availability. Nevmat Australia’s investment in internal manufacturing and logistics capability is intended to mitigate these risks while maintaining consistent service delivery.
“In a market where skilled labour and materials can be unpredictable, having strong in-house capability provides stability,” Andrews said. “It allows us to control quality, respond quickly to project changes, and maintain customer service standards that are becoming harder to achieve through fragmented delivery models.”
Nevmat Australia’s approach reflects a broader trend toward consolidation of expertise within electrical manufacturing businesses.
“As project complexity and reliability requirements continue to increase, vertically integrated models may play an increasingly important role in ensuring consistent outcomes across the switchboard and power distribution sector,” concludes Andrews.
