Celebrating a century of success

MK Electric, a name synonymous with wiring devices, and with products in millions of buildings across the UK, domestic, commercial, industrial and beyond, is proud to celebrate its centenary year in 2019.

From humble beginnings with just two employees and second-hand machinery, the company is now a global manufacturer with hundreds of employees worldwide.

MK Electric was established in 1919 as the Heavy Current Electric Accessories Company by Charles Arnold with just one product: the Multy Kontact socket, which would later become its namesake. 

Assembly workers in Southend, 1965

Along the way there have been many pioneering inventions including anti-flash, the first shuttered socket to feature concealed live and neutral terminals; the first ‘monobloc’ light switch product with two components – a mounting box and the integral switch and frontplate; and Logic PlusTM, with its revolutionary 3-pin, child-resistant design. 

Test centre, 1979

Emma Segelov, EMEA marketing operations manager for MK Electric commented, “2019 is a landmark year for MK Electric as we look back on our achievements over the past century and cast our eyes to the future, with a firm commitment to our principles to continue providing the market with high quality, reliable and safe products. 

“We’re also proud to continue our heritage of British manufacturing with over 80% of products sold in the UK being made in the UK*.

“We look forward to sharing our story on the MK website, with a dynamic timeline which features milestone events, historical images, vintage adverts, personal stories and competitions, and at events across the country – notably at the ELEX shows in Manchester, Coventry and Sandown.

“We sincerely thank all our customers for their continued support and look forward to working together with them and electrical industry organisations in leading the industry to a smart and sustainable future. 

“Of course, none of this would be possible without our valued employees, past and present. Thank you for your hard work and dedication and here’s to another hundred years!”