BRUSH Group’s New Customer ‘Innovation Hub’ Gets Long-Service Seal of Approval
In celebration of his impressive 50 years’ service, the ribbon-cutting honours were given to Service Product Engineer, Ashley Payne.

Pictured (left to right) are BRUSH Group CEO Nicolas Pitrat, Services Product Engineer Ashley Payne and Business Operations Director for BRUSH Switchgear Jason King. Courtesy: BRUSH Group
Designed to showcase BRUSH’s innovative range of switchgear solutions, including the recently launched CRYNO, the new facility was opened at an event attended by customers, local elected members and representatives of Industry Wales.
It was back in 1974 that a fresh-faced 16-year-old Ashley Payne began his career as an engineering apprentice. Fast-forward some 50 years and Ashley has spent five decades supporting the company’s growth, innovation, and its customers.
A steadying influence throughout the years, today Ashley applies his extensive knowledge and experience to solving problems for customers, as well as to supporting the next generation of in-house engineering experts.
Reflecting on his 50-year career with the company, Ashley said: “I love coming to work – I like what I do! I talk to customers, take away their problems and provide them with solutions. Ultimately, that’s what we’re about, helping and supporting our customers.”
And for Ashley it’s those ‘full circle’ moments that give him the greatest personal satisfaction, he said: “Supporting our bright team of apprentices and mentoring them keeps me sharp! I get to pass on my engineering knowledge and in return, they keep me switched on as they pass on their tech knowledge, ask questions, and share their enthusiasm.”
Speaking about Ashley’s impressive long-service, BRUSH Group CEO, Nicolas Pitrat said: “Ashley has dedicated his career to our business, and we are immensely proud of what he has achieved. It felt only right that as we celebrate the next chapter in our evolution through the opening of our Innovation & Insight Hub, that Ashley is the one to officially open the space that is now home to our next-generation switchgear solution – CRYNO.”
Pronounced ‘Cruh-no’ (Welsh for ‘compact’), the name not only describes a key feature of its efficient space-saving design, but also reflects its proud Welsh heritage, having been designed, developed, and now manufactured, at Blackwood.
Through its switchgear solutions, BRUSH maintains the stability and reliability of electrical power systems, something which is ever more vital as the UK transitions to better energy security and net zero carbon.
Source: BRUSH Group
#apprenticeship#BRUSH Group#career development#CRYNO#customer solutions#electrical engineering#electrical reliability#energy security#engineering expertise#Industry Wales#innovation#long-service#mentoring#net zero carbon#next-generation technology#power stability#power systems#problem-solving#switchgear#Welsh manufacturing