Visit to NSF Ltd

The Keighley Association of Engineers is pleased to announce its early January 2016 event, a visit to NSF Controls Ltd, Keighley (please note this is an afternoon weekday visit).

Operating from the same West Yorkshire site since 1948, the company’s expertise is wide reaching establishing NSF as a knowledgeable provider of customised and creative electro-mechanical actuation products.

Originally known for manufacture of rotary wafer switches, NSF Controls’ reputation for reliability and superior quality has made it the world-class manufacturer it is today.

A Brief History of NSF Controls

The origins of NSF go back to 1931 when a German manufacturing company, Nuernberg Schwachstrom Fabriken, set up British NSF Ltd as an import house. It was 1932 before British manufacture commenced making small components essential to aircraft production in the south of England.

Outbreak of war saw NSF placed under the government’s Custodian of Enemy Property, and a target for German air attack. It was in such a raid that around 30 employees were killed and several wounded. The  Ministry of Aircraft Production redistributed factories to include Northern England and the first Keighley premises in Dalton Lane were born.

In peacetime, the Company moved to their current premises at Ingrow Bridge and production mainly of resistors, condensers and carbon potentiometers with some switch products started. British NSF joined the Rothermal Corporation, later to be known as the Motor and Electronics Corporation.

In 1950 manufacture of the Ledex Rotary Solenoid started under licence from Ledex Incorporated, and in 1951 the name was changed to NSF Ltd, with rotary wafer switch production starting soon after. Over the years, manufacturing continued and diversified, with NSF playing a key role in the then Simms Motor and Electronics Corporation. This was eventually to be acquired by the Lucas Group in 1968, however, it was not until 1980 that reorganisation within Lucas took NSF into the Lucas Industrial Systems group of companies and the Lucas identity was adopted.

Following a merger with the Varity Corporation in 1996, Lucas consolidated its core automotive businesses and several companies within the new group were considered surplus to requirement including the Keighley site.

Recognising the remaining business as a viable operation with unfulfilled potential, managers led a successful purchase resulting in the rebirth of NSF Controls Ltd on July 4th 1997. Previously held global manufacturing and distribution relationships were re-established and NSF Controls Ltd has seen year on year growth ever since.

Expect a highly interesting and informative visit to this specialist and long standing Keighley based manufacturing company.

Note:

• It is recommended to wear appropriate attire complete with safety shoes and glasses during this visit, visitors are kindly requested to bring their own PPE equipment if available.

Flyer: A visit to NSF Controls Ltd