shentongroup Power Systems Blog

Shenton Group is Recruiting!

25 March 2022

Categories: Industry, News

Over the past 24 months, Shenton Group has been heavily recruiting sales, operations, and engineering staff across the UK to meet the increasing demands in the power industry. It was just last week that we welcomed four new engineers to the team.

Stuart, one of our new Generator Rental Engineers, said;

“I was surprised by the amount of thought and care that had been put into our onboarding. We were made to feel very welcome and was introduced to everyone in the office and given a tour of the facilities. We were all given new phones, laptops, branded merchandise and even a bottle of wine; every detail had been thought of.”

Dedicated Team

In the kitchen sits our long service board, which celebrates our employees’ hard work and dedication. Photos hang pegged on a clothesline like display, gathered in five, ten and fifteen-year milestones, all the way up to thirty years plus!

“I really feel the family vibe here, and that employees are valued. It feels like a great place to work”. “I can see myself working here for a long time too!” – Luke, newly recruited CHP Engineer.

Roland Taylor, one of our Technical Support Engineers, has been with the company for over 31 years! He was one of the original team that started with Richard Meek, our founder. As a result, Roland has experienced first-hand the company going from strength to strength.

“It has been rewarding to see the company grow. I remember when we worked on small scale 3kw generators out the back of a cow shed down in Orchid Hill, Andover. There was only about 6 of us then, and now there is nearly 100! I love what I do and have done for the last 30 years!”

Shenton Group Technical Team Recruits

Shenton Group’s in house tech team has expanded. We are pleased to welcome Andrew, a fully qualified Mechanical Engineer with nearly eight years of industry experience. Andrew has hit the ground running and is producing technical designs to client’s specifications.

“I enjoy problem-solving, and every project’s requirements are different. I have been really welcomed into the team. It is a nice place to be.”

Delivering the very best power solutions to the nation carries tremendous responsibility, technical challenges, and great variety. Therefore, we are always on the lookout for high calibre personnel. The work that we do is niche and highly specialist. Below is a list of roles that we are on the lookout for:

Generator service engineers
Generator installation engineers
Generator commissioning engineers
Generator controls engineers
UPS service engineers
UPS installation engineers
UPS commissioning engineers
CHP service engineers
CHP installation engineers
CHP commissioning engineers
CHP controls engineers
Electricians
Gas engineers
Project managers
Estimators

Join Us

Shenton Group is a corporate business with people at heart. We work hard to build a culture where our employees feel happy and supported. Would you like to join the Shenon Group family? To view a full list of our current vacancies and job perks, please visit our careers page.

Shenton Group 40 Years in Business

3 February 2022

Nicole Wells

Categories: Diesel Generators, News

2022 marks our 40th year in business! But how did we get to where we are today? Well, on the 29th of April 1954 in Andover, Richard Meek (circled) was born. Just an ordinary chap, who did everyday things and lived a normal life, at the height of 5ft 8.5 inches.

At 24 years old Richard got married and began to work for his father-in-law who was in the catering trade, servicing pubs, restaurants and hotels. It was here that Richard first got into the world of sales, and his entrepreneurial spirit started to bloom!

By 1982 Richard and Melanie had two children. Knowing that there were going to be more mouths to feed, Richard decided it was time to go it alone and started his own business. Having always had a fascination with heat and power, Richard saw the opportunity to sell gas bottles to pubs, restaurants and B&Bs; so Outback Energy was born from this idea. Richard didn’t want to stop there, he had bigger plans to hatch! He wanted to provide alternative power to those who needed it, and his fascination for engines prompted him to go into the generator market.

Richard and Melanie believed in the business, and knowing that it could be their children’s future, they invested their last £1000 into the Company. Over the years, with hard work and a dedicated team, they have made what was one man’s vision into a sustainable and robust business.

We are forever grateful to Richard for giving his four children and all of the staff the chance to create their own history, in what we now know as Shenton Group.

Click here to view our company timeline from 1982, the birth of Outback Power and beyond!

The blog header image was taken in 1995. Richard Meek is circled standing amongst his valued colleagues, two of which still work at Shenton Group to this day. Now if that isn’t dedication, I don’t know what is!

Shenton Group Fundraising 2021

11 November 2021

Nicole Wells

Categories: News

Every year Shenton Group run fundraising activities to raise money for four charitable causes. As a company with a vested interest in our community, we always look to support local.

Supporting children whose parents have died whilst serving in the armed forces

Quarter 1 of 2021 saw us fundraising for; Scotty’s Little Soldiers, a charity supporting children whose parents have died whilst serving in the armed forces. With our head office in Andover Hampshire, not far from Tidworth army camps, this charity is close to a lot of our hearts. Julie, one of our Project Manager Assistants, an army wife and on the board for this charity, headed up the fundraising activities. She has raised a considerable amount of money over the years and, in turn, has supported thousands of children.

Donating to the local Foodbank

Quarter 2 saw us collecting non-perishable food, personal hygiene products and essential household items for the Andover Foodbank. Kirsty, one of our Maintenance Coordinators, was in charge of fundraising and collections. The Foodbank divides essential food and healthcare items into boxes consisting of three days of nutritionally balanced, non-perishable foods. These boxes are then distributed to local people who have been referred to the Foodbank in crisis.

We don’t think anyone in our community should have to face going hungry. So we are working to combat poverty and hunger. – Food Bank.

Shenton employees bake cakes in aid of Jazzie Fest

In quarter 3 we fundraised for Jazzie Fest! A charity formed to support young people with disabilities moving into higher education and becoming more independent. Jasmine is an 18-year-old who has various disabilities, including Rett syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that affects brain development, resulting in severe mental and physical disability.

Jasmine is in her last year at a local special needs school. Currently, there are no higher education facilities in Andover to attend to meet her needs. The charity has been in touch with the local council and Andover college, and plans have been agreed to run a life skills course to aid young school leavers such as Jasmine to learn valuable independent living skills. Funding is the biggest stumbling block as the college facilities need to be converted into a safe environment and be sufficiently equipped.

The bake sale competition at Shenton Group was a hit and helped raise much-needed funds for the charity. A big thank you to Olivia, one of our Maintenance Coordinators for her support fundraising.

Shenton supports Yellow Brick Road, a charity that supports young people with trauma

For the fourth and final quarter, Shenton Group is raising money for Yellow Brick Road. The charity works with young people, building support networks, helping to build resilience and reduce feelings of loneliness. Yellow Brick Road helps people learn life skills – money, home, relationships, health and wellbeing and offer accredited learning programmes.

Issy, our Executive Assistant, is leading fundraising, and she has arranged everything from boot sales to pumpkin carving competitions. There is even a ‘Shenton Has Talent Show’. Watch this space! There are plenty more fundraising activities to come!

If you know of a Hampshire based charity that you would like us to support, get in touch, we would love to hear from you. To see other charities that we have fundraised for in the past, visit our charitable giving page.

Shenton Group Complete Generator Installation at London Data Centre

29 October 2021

Shenton

Categories: Diesel Generators, News, Power Systems (Generators and UPS)

Another Data Centre can have total peace of mind in the knowledge that Shenton Group have installed a generator for them to protect their business. When looking to complete a generator installation, it is crucial to consult the experts to audit the site, to ensure you have the equipment you need to keep the power on at your data centre site.

Generator Installation Requirements for Data Centre

Our client required 2 x 220 kVA, 3 phase Generators to allow syncing to the customer’s Common Bus Connection. The instalation included new Deep Sea 8610 Controllers, downstream changeover panels (400A 3 phase with Deep Sea 333 controllers), and new ABB motorised MCCB’s.

One of our fully qualified generator installation Project Managers worked very closely with the customer’s electrical installers on this 1st phase, leading to a smooth project throughout design, installation and the onsite witness test—another successful Generator installation from Shenton Group.

How Much Does It Cost to Install a Generator?

The total cost of generator installation is dependent on many factors, including the equipment required, the size of the generator/ number of generators, and if it’s a standard or bespoke solution. If you invest in a generator, you must ensure correct integration, and consider ongoing maintenance so the equipment can be relied on in the event of an outage. A power outage at a data centre could be catastrophic. The ramifications can include loss of data, money, customers and reputation. Therefore it is invaluable to have a reliable backup generator solution in place. The best way to establish the costs involved is to book a site survey, and we can then provide an accurate quotation. We can also offer guidance on generator maintenance plans best suited to your requirements.

Generator Installation Services

We provide a full suite of generator installation services right from the design and manufacture, to project management, install/site integration, testing and ongoing maintenance. We provide full turnkey installations.

Request a Site Survey

Shenton Site Survey’s Ensure The Correct Solution

A site survey will help the Shenton Group engineers to understand your exact requirements. Prior to a generator installation, we will work with you to establish your electrical demand and clarify how long you need a backup power system to run in the event of a power outage. A backup generator alone will kick in within 10-15 seconds after a power outage, but if teamed with a UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply), there will be no downtime at all. All critical applications such as data centres and healthcare facilities use generators and UPSs in tandem.

Backup power solutions consisting of a UPS and no generators are suitable for organisations that can afford some downtime. A UPS safeguards equipment in a power outage, temporarily protecting it from immediate power loss, potential damage or malfunction, and provides time for you to shut down and turn off equipment safely. UPS only backup solutions can be relied upon for periods ranging from just a couple of minutes right up to 2 hours. This timeframe is dictated by the size and amount of UPS batteries and the electrical load it needs to support. However, installing a generator would be the answer if there is a requirement for the power to remain on and protect you for more extended periods. Each use case is different, and every customer of ours has different needs, which is why a site survey is essential.

Design & Standby Generator Installation

A carefully designed backup power solution will ensure you have all the equipment you need to avoid any issues during power loss.

Whether you require an internal or external installation, we will provide a complete turnkey project, including:

Design
Manufacture
Project Management
Civils
Mechanical and Electrical Installation
Site Integration
Testing
Final Commissioning
Ongoing Maintenance

We provide you with peace of mind that you can operate with confidence that your generator installation will provide the support you need at those crucial times.

Shenton Group is a leading generator manufacturer focused on keeping power supplies operational in the event of a mains failure and improving the sustainability of your power supply.

Shenton Group Plans to Become Scotland’s Generator Rental Company of Choice!

30 September 2021

Nicole Wells

Categories: Diesel Generators, Generator Rental, News

Due to the increased Generator rental demand across the UK, we have decided to move to premises in Falkirk. This location offers a larger yard to store rental generators and equipment, enabling us to further improve our offering and provide a premium service to the Scots!

Due to fast response times and great customer service, Shenton Group’s Generator Rental enquiries have more than doubled over the last 18 months across the rest of the UK. As a result, we have expanded our service offering and thought it time to really stretch our legs in Scotland. Our aim is to become Scotland’s company of choice for generator rental, maintenance and alternative power supplies!

Increased Generator Rental Service In Scotland

With offices currently in Falkirk and Aberdeen, Shenton Group already provides some power continuity solutions in Scotland. Still, this move to a larger facility will enable us to provide increased support and really push our generator rental division far and wide. So if you have a generator hire requirement, please get in touch; we will be more than happy to assist!

Short or Long Term Generator Hire

No matter which sector you operate in, we can support you. Whether you need additional power security for few months, or you would like to ensure minimal/no disruption to your day-to-day operation while staff are off-site, we can support you in true power resilience!

Premium Power Solutions

In our Latest Rental Projects blog we discuss how we have supported Hospitals, the Ministry of Defence, retail and care homes with our Generator Rental and Power Call emergency generator call-out services.

During the pandemic, One retail giant called us after having to close the store due to a leak and power failure. Within 2-3 hours, we had an engineer on-site to arrange a same-day solution, allowing the store to open the doors the following day to continue trade.

“Following our recent power failure, I would like to thank Shenton Group, particularly the Rental division, for your help and assistance during that very difficult time. Shenton Group showed a very high level of customer service, which instilled confidence from the first point of contact through to completion. The personal approach and assurance were combined with the knowledge that Shenton Group had the expertise and equipment to deliver. These high service levels were also continued through to the staff on-site, and we would have no hesitations in recommending your services.”

Facilities Manager – Retail Company

If you have a generator rental requirement, get in contact today to speak to one of our technical experts.

What Is ‘Peak Lopping’ And How Can It Help To Maintain Power Supply?

23 September 2021

Shenton

Categories: Diesel Generators, Industry, News

‘Peak lopping’ otherwise known as ‘peak shaving’, is the use of an additional power source (such as a generator) in synchronisation with the mains power supply, to deliver enough power to meet the peak demand that cannot be met by the mains supply.

Using a generator to provide a ‘peak lopping’ power supply, will enable the use of the most cost-effective mains power but provide the added support to reinforce the mains power during periods of high demand.

Shenton Group Runs Apprenticeship Program

28 August 2021

Nicole Wells

Categories: News

Willoughby Long joins Shenton Group on a 12-month apprenticeship program. Working part-time as a Business Developer for our Generator Rental department, Willoughby will learn key skills and gain work experience whilst continuing his studies in business and marketing. Upon successful completion, we will be pleased to offer him a full-time role!

Shenton Group offers a supportive environment to young learners. As Richard Branson once said, “Train people well enough to leave, treat them well enough that they don’t want to.” We are a firm believer in this notion.

Willoughby explains:

Engines have always interested me. I was interested in the different types of projects and the mechanical side; that’s what attracted me to Shenton Group.
I had heard good things about the company as I have some friends that already worked here.

Willoughby has worked at Shenton Group for a month and has already integrated himself well into his team. We asked him: How have you found your time working at Shenton Group so far?

I have enjoyed learning new things, challenging but rewarding, it has been good fun, and the staff are friendly. It is very hands-on, and you get to speak to a variety of different customers.

Our generator rental fleet supplies generators from 30kVA up to 1250kVA. We are equipped to meet the demand of any bespoke residential, commercial, or heavy-duty applications 24/7, 365 days a year UK wide. If you need to hire a generator, give the industry experts a call. You never know, you might speak to Willoughby!

Are you interested in a career with us? Check out our careers page or get in touch about other apprenticeship opportunities.

Fuel Taxation and Power Generation – 2022 Law Changes

28 August 2021

Nicole Wells

Categories: Diesel Generators, Industry, News

As many will be aware, in March 2021 the UK Government announced impending changes to the way some fuel products would be taxed with effect from April 2022. Possibly the most significant of these is what’s widely known as ‘Red Diesel’.

For anyone unclear, red and white diesel perform in exactly the same way. Quite simply ‘red’ has a chemical marker added to distinguish it from white (or DERV [Diesel Engined Road Vehicle]) and because red wasn’t intended for road use, it attracted a far lower rate of taxation.

It should be noted that the red marker chemical also stains or dyes any fuel system component it comes into contact with, making it very easy for HMRC, VOSA etc to detect improper use!

These changes will inevitably affect power generation for both suppliers and consumers so how will these effects be felt?

There will be a number of exemptions to the changes. Specific areas of industry and business will be allowed to continue to use the lesser taxed fuel and more information on this can be found on the government website.

As with the introduction of many legislative instruments, this will be an iterative process and will inevitably be subject to a series of clarifications however there are some things that can be made clear from the outset.

If your particular industry or usage category is not clearly included in the above-mentioned government list, then specific and individual advice may be necessary and the Government provide a specific contact* for this purpose.
If you are part of a clearly identified industry, you will need to stop buying red diesel at a date appropriate to your typical usage rate and from there, move to white.
Affected businesses should NOT purchase red diesel which will then remain available for use after 1st April 2022.

The requirement for end users to have fuel tanks purged and flushed has been removed following consultation however emphasis is placed on NOT ‘stockpiling’ red diesel ahead of the transition which would clearly be intended for use after April 2022.

Given the degree of uncertainty affecting some aspects of the anticipated transition, be certain to retain invoices, orders and in general to maintain a clear and visible audit trail of related activities which – should an inspection take place – would then demonstrate the rationale and reasoning behind the current position of your business.

At the time of writing (August 2021) we can confirm the following points with regard to the use of HVO (Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil) as alternative fuel:

HVO is a drop-in replacement and can be mixed with old diesel and there have been no compatibility issues recorded to date
From 1st April 2022, all HVO will have to be sold as road fuel and so have the additional tax applied, thus it will be more expensive than white diesel
The main selling point for HVO is a reduction in CO2 emissions which may be of interest to energy managers where their CO2 footprint is of importance. This is a result of the fuel manufacturing process and has no effect or bearing on exhaust emissions but when compared with fossil fuels, achieves a reduction of approximately 90%.

As with any fundamental change to the operation of essential equipment, it is always wise to check or ask questions specific to your own requirements before introducing an alternative fuel into your systems, to avoid any subsequent damage or reliability issues.

Please contact Shenton Group with any related technical questions.

What is an ATS panel? (Automatic Transfer Switch)

16 August 2021

Shenton

Categories: News, Power Systems (Generators and UPS), Products

ATS panels (or automatic transfer switch panels) are used in combination with standby generators to automate the switch between the mains power source and a generator in a blackout. An ATS panel ensures that you do not have to manually switch to an alternative power supply, such as a backup generator in the event of a power outage. An ATS will automatically switch to another power and an ATS panel ensures that a generator doesn’t require manual operation. When combined with a UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supplies) there will be a seamless supply of power as the UPS will bridge the gap in power whilst the generator starts up, reducing the risk of data loss, damage to electrical equipment, or any disruption to a business or facility. Without a UPS, there will be approx a 15 second delay in power as the generator starts up.

The ATS panel monitors the incoming AC mains supply so that, should there be a blackout, the electrical load is transferred to the standby generator. When the mains power is restored, the ATS transfer switch then returns the building back to the mains supply, and shuts down the backup generator.

Using an Automatic Transfer Panel for Safety Reasons

An automatic transfer switch or manual transfer panel is installed as part of any generator project where there is a mains supply.

The benefit of an automatic transfer panel system over a manual system is the ATS panel moves the electrical load without any manual process, reducing downtime. In the event of a power outage the transfer switch automatically switches its incoming power supply from the mains to the generator, triggering the generator to start up. The generator is ready to take load within approx. 15 seconds.

Without ATS switches, organisations would have to manually change over from mains to the generator and therefore suffer a longer break in electricity and depend on personnel being available to carry out this task. An automatic transfer switch panel will eliminate this need for a manual change.

ATS Panel Manufacturers

Shenton Group provides complete turnkey solutions consisting of generators, UPSs and ATS panels, designed to your requirements.

We design and manufacture our own ATS panels, often as part of a turnkey standby power solution that links an automatic transfer switch, UPS and standby generators with remote monitoring and associated security and safety features.

To ensure you get the correct backup power arrangement for your needs, get in touch with the UK’s leading technical experts today.

What Is the Difference Between ATS and AMF Panels?

Automatic Transfer Switches (ATS) and Automatic Mains Failure (AMF) panels both switch an electrical load from normal supply to a standby generator supply, and back to the mains when required and are in effect just different terminology for the same thing. To find out more about AMF panels and how they work, read our blog which further explores all AMF-related topics.

Find out more about AMF panels

An ATS Panel Solution for Amazon Distribution Centre

After an initial assessment, Shenton Group provided a 275kVA generator to an Amazon distribution centre and as part of the project, to ensure seamless generator changeover, a 400A ATS (automatic transfer switch).

For more information about any ATS Panel or generator solutions, get in touch with our technical experts today, and we will be happy to provide you with the best course of action for your premises.

Why Choose Shenton Group?

Shenton Group is an established power back provider with over 40 years of experience providing peace of mind with a turn-key solution. Our highly skilled team of technical experts can provide you with the answers to any questions you have.

We manufacture a fully bespoke range of reliable standby power generators and offer ongoing technical support and maintenance service contracts to ensure you never fall victim to a power failure.

Find out more about our products and services.

Find out more about our products and services

Shenton Group Expands Recruiting Across the UK

27 July 2021

Nicole Wells

Categories: Industry, News

Shenton Group expands its workforce and has opened up various job opportunities, a mixture of office-based and remote engineering roles, across the UK. We ask our new employees how they have found working for Shenton Group so far.

The last 18 months of living through the pandemic have been challenging. It has brought added pressures in a magnitude of ways. Some businesses have shut up shop whilst others have been working around the clock to keep up with demand. It has been a trying time for all, but it has also opened new markets and new opportunities.

Shenton Group have experienced exponential growth, and 18 new team members have joined the Shenton family, and we still have some roles to fill! To view a full list of job titles we are recruiting for, please visit our careers page.

From Humble Beginnings, 1982 – 2021

Shenton Group is the continuous power industry leader with family-owned business values. We were founded by Richard Meek back in 1982, under the name of Outback Energy. Scorpion Power was established only five years later, a brand that rapidly became synonymous with reliable standby power generators.

Merging many brands under the Shenton Group name in 2010, the family-run business is now managed by Richard’s sons; Jody Meek Managing Director, Curtis Meek Sales and Marketing Director and Darren Meek as well as Derek Barry, the company’s Technical Director. Shenton Group now operates as a large corporate delivering million-pound projects and provides alternative power solutions to the nation.

What Makes Shenton Group Different as an Employer?

Ubay: “I feel appreciated at Shenton Group, and my work is recognised, rather than feeling like just another number. This workplace feels a lot more welcoming and supportive than other places I have worked. I enjoying coming into work in the mornings!”

Ubay is one of our new CHP Service Engineers, and he has now worked at Shenton Group for two months.

What attracted you to work for Shenton Group?

Ubay: The culture and professional image. I wanted to push my career, and there is the opportunity to develop at Shenton.

How have you found your time working at Shenton Group so far?

Ubay: I have found the team very welcoming, open and honest.

Millie is one of our new Service Coordinators and has worked for Shenton Group now for five months.

What attracted you to work for Shenton Group?

Millie: I heard good things about how the company was run and I was looking for something more challenging.

What do you enjoy most about your role?

Millie: The variety within the role, the team and the atmosphere.

Kealan (pictured to the right) joined the sales and marketing team three months ago as Business Development. We asked her what attracted her to Shenton Group…

Kealan: The image the company gives has always been something which I wanted to be part of! I had already heard a lot about Shenton Group as my sister works here. The team culture and family atmosphere make it very welcoming and a nice place to be.

We want to say a huge welcome to all that have joined the team and thank you for all of your work so far.

We are always trying to improve workplace enjoyment for our staff; after all, a happy workforce means happy customers. If you are interested in taking your career to the next level or are looking for a new challenge, take a look at our careers page.

Shenton Group is Recruiting!

Dedicated Team

Shenton Group Technical Team Recruits

Join Us

Shenton Group 40 Years in Business

Shenton Group Fundraising 2021

Supporting children whose parents have died whilst serving in the armed forces

Donating to the local Foodbank

Shenton employees bake cakes in aid of Jazzie Fest

Shenton supports Yellow Brick Road, a charity that supports young people with trauma

Shenton Group Complete Generator Installation at London Data Centre

Generator Installation Requirements for Data Centre

How Much Does It Cost to Install a Generator?

Shenton Site Survey’s Ensure The Correct Solution

Design & Standby Generator Installation

Shenton Group Plans to Become Scotland’s Generator Rental Company of Choice!

Increased Generator Rental Service In Scotland

Short or Long Term Generator Hire

Premium Power Solutions

If you have a generator rental requirement, get in contact today to speak to one of our technical experts.

What Is ‘Peak Lopping’ And How Can It Help To Maintain Power Supply?

Shenton Group Runs Apprenticeship Program

Fuel Taxation and Power Generation – 2022 Law Changes

What is an ATS panel? (Automatic Transfer Switch)

Using an Automatic Transfer Panel for Safety Reasons

ATS Panel Manufacturers

Get in touch

What Is the Difference Between ATS and AMF Panels?

An ATS Panel Solution for Amazon Distribution Centre

Why Choose Shenton Group?

Shenton Group Expands Recruiting Across the UK

From Humble Beginnings, 1982 – 2021

What Makes Shenton Group Different as an Employer?

Latest News

New Sales Manager Colin to Lead Shenton Group’s Generator Hire Division

Welcoming Juri: Strengthening Our Sales Department and Leadership Team

Andover Carnival and Shenton Group Unites for Social Responsibility and Sustainability