Department for Business and Trade visits Hastings-based Focus SB

Focus SB premium electrical accessories manufacturer's MD, Gary Stevens and MD Designate, Ciaran Mitchell are delighted to welcome Programme Manager - Southern England, Exports Directorate, Janet Edwards and International Trade Adviser, Infrastructure - Construction & the Built Environment, Colin Melhuish from the Department for Business and Trade (DBT).

Hosting Focus SB's last factory visit of 2025 in their current roles saw Mr Stevens (to be the company's new Chairman in 2026) and Mr Mitchell (to be the new Managing Director), showcase the British manufacturer's precision engineered switches and sockets and how these are made and finished from the finest raw materials. Visitors also viewed the company's latest investments in CNC technology coupled with metal presswork, laser marking and hand finishing demonstrations by its skilled experts.

Mr Melhuish commented: ‘As Export Champions, Gary Stevens and Ciaran Mitchell of Focus SB support the Department for Business and Trade to encourage more UK businesses to trade internationally. It was inspiring to see how the company has embraced international opportunities and achieved their export growth. Their journey demonstrates the ambition and innovation that British businesses bring to global markets.'

Mr Mitchell said: ‘Really lovely to meet you and get the chance to show you around our space. We look forward to meeting up again over the months ahead as we move into a new phase of innovation, expansion, and global growth.’

Ends

Editors notes

Focus SB® is an award winning innovative British manufacturer renowned for the design, development and specialist hand finishing of premium electrical wiring accessories, blending traditional artisan techniques with the latest technology; specified for world class hospitality and leisure resorts, prime residential developments, heritage buildings, royal residences, superyachts and commercial projects both domestically and internationally.

King's Awards for Enterprise winner for excellence in International Trade in 2023, Focus SB made history in its industry in 2017 when the company became the first and only British and European manufacturer to gain CQC factory accreditation to supply and sell wiring accessories directly from Europe to China, also gaining full CCC licence for all of its products for the Chinese marketplace.

The company’s specialist capabilities include electrical accessory design, development and testing; bespoke metal plate design and manufacture; specialist metal finishing and complex supply chain project management. Focus SB commenced trading in 1979 and exports to Asia, the Middle East, Malta and West Africa. Projects include Aspen at Consort Place, Twenty Grosvenor Square, Belmond Cadogan Hotel, Corinthia London, Royal Lancaster London, Chelsea Barracks, No.1 Grosvenor Square, The Glebe, Hampton Court Palace, Windsor Castle, The Londoner Macao and Pudong Airport Satellite Terminal VIP lounges.

Focus SB is committed to reducing its carbon footprint by taking all appropriate measures to minimise any impact on the environment throughout the business from operational to manufacturing processes. The company's green energy investment plans have included solar panel, LED lighting and electric car charging points installation. Laser marking technology enables Focus SB to offer a standard alternative to screen printing, for improved fine detail quality and to significantly limit the use of environmentally damaging consumables and reduce waste.

Focus SB is a Disability Confident Employer since 2017 and is committed to creating equal opportunities and a diverse and inclusive workforce, seeing the company work closely with local charity Little Gate Supported Employment for over four years.

UK press contact: Suzi Baker, SB PR Consultancy suzi@suzibaker.com