About
Our Story
Over 50 years of operation has seen LECO Switchgear Limited become New Zealand’s leading manufacturer and supplier of industrial & commercial switchgear and control panels to the electrical industry.
Lynn Electrical Co Limited was formed in 1973 by Les Shrubb and from its early days, has made quality and service the basis on which to form a growing and lasting relationship with customers. Today the company is managed by Les’ son Steven Shrubb, who heads a team of over 100 staff. Now trading as LECO Switchgear Limited.
This New Zealand based company has undertaken many major contracts in recent years, including providing switchboards to the Watercare Wastewater Treatment Plants, Veolia Water, Waterview Tunnel, Sylvia Park Office, Britomart Transport Centre, Auckland International Airport, Air New Zealand Engineering, Auckland City Hospital and Sky City Hotel, Casino, Conference Centre & Sky Tower, Data Processing Centres, etc.
LECO Switchgear is committed to customer satisfaction. The success of the company is due to the quality of our product and our service and the fact that we are well known in the industry.
ln 2008 LECO Holdings bought a reputable established switchboard manufacturer in Hamilton, GAEL Switchgear Ltd. It is now trading as LECO Switchgear Hamilton branch.
In 2010, LECO Holdings established a branch in Christchurch. Its former ownership, Powercentre Distribution and Control had been in switchboard business for over 60 years. It is now trading as LECO Switchgear Christchurch branch.
LECO Switchgear has supplied switchboards to 26 countries throughout the world and operates a range of hi-tech equipment. As a member of Site Safe New Zealand Inc, LECO Switchgear is committed to the development of a culture of health and safety in the New Zealand construction industry. We are committed to staff training to ensure ongoing compliance with Quality Management System in accordance to Bureau Veritas Certification AS/NZS ISO 9001.
Auckland
Steven Shrubb
Managing Director
Completed his Apprenticeship with Turnbull Jones in 1983. He then travelled through Europe extensively until his return in 1986 whereupon he commenced working at Lynn Electrical, taking up the position of Manager of the Distribution Board Division.
He has an extensive knowledge of Switchboard manufacturing and looks after all the major contracts. He is totally responsible for the management of LECO Switchgear.
Kate Sucich
Financial Controller
CA
Kate, a qualified Chartered Accountant, started her career in the insurance industry working full time whilst completing her studies part time. Once qualified she worked in the FMGC industry for 18 years in various finance roles. She is able to bring her vast knowledge of all the finance functions to her role of Financial Controller with Leco Switchgear where she joined us in 2024.
Kate is responsible for all financial aspect of the Group, including Accounting and Office Administration.
Mark Garnett
Administration Manager
Mark completed his apprenticeship with the HMNZ Dockyard as an Electrical Fitter in 1991. Shortly after this, he commenced employment with Lynn Electrical in 1993 and was soon promoted to the position of Estimator. In 2003, he was appointed as the Administration Manager. He has over 30 years’ experience in estimating and project management.
He is involved with quotation, project management and the general management of LECO Switchgear.
Chin Fong
Business Services Manager
BBus, NZIM, NZCE/Dip. Electrical
Chin previously had worked in the low voltage switchgear at A&G Price, GAEL Switchboards, Merlin Gerin and Schneider Electric when he migrated to NZ. He started off with Lynn Electrical as an Electrical Engineer in 1994. He was involved with projects like Watercare Wastewater Treatment Plants, AT Britomart Transport Centre satellite stations, SkyCity Auckland, Air New Zealand Engineering, etc. He specialises in outdoor control panels.
Chin is responsible for looking after our clients in Preventive Maintenance and Services.
Michael Shrubb
Project Management
While completing his degree at the University of Auckland, Michael began his career at Leco Switchgear in 2017 as an electrical fitter, gaining practical expertise before advancing to production management in 2021. Now an Estimator, he combines technical knowledge with a strong understanding of LECO Switchgear’s operations to ensure projects are delivered to the highest standards.
He is actively involved in quotation and project management.
Phil-Am Balbuena
Engineering Team
BE - ELECTRICAL
Prior to working with Lynn Electrical in Nov 2000, Phil had several years of experience working in high and low voltage switchgear manufacturing companies. He worked in a leading switchboard manufacturer in The Philippines for 3 years and continued working for 7 years with ABB Saudi Arabia and ABB Henderson, New Zealand.
Phil is responsible for the design, engineering, and management of projects mainly for the energy sector, universities, hospitals, Watercare Services, Auckland Airport, data centres and other industrial companies.
Dumitru Coman
Production Manager
From Romania, Dumitru started as an electrical fitter at Iproeb-SA Bistrita in 1979 and was a Team Leader in 1991. He migrated to New Zealand in 2001 and joined Lynn Electrical as an electrical fitter in 2002. He was promoted as a Leading Hand in 2004 and in 2017, he taken on the role of a Production Manager.
Dumitru is responsible for switchboard manufacturing, workshop staff and store.
Hamilton
Dean Manhood
Branch Manager
With over 30 years of experience in the electrical industry, Dean has worked across domestic, commercial, and industrial sectors. Throughout his career, he has contributed to a diverse range of projects, including hazardous areas, dairy factories, and large-scale commercial installations in both New Zealand and Australia.
Dean applies his extensive expertise to ensure that projects run smoothly from start to finish, proactively addressing challenges before they arise.
In 2025, he joined LECO Switchgear Ltd as the Branch Manager, where he continues to drive operational success, project excellence, and exceptional customer service.
Steve Northcott
Project Engineer
After serving with an electrical contracting company for 11 years as a project manager, it was time for a change. In 2001, he joined GAEL Switchgear Ltd as the Workshop Manager. He is responsible for switchboards to be delivered to clients are on time and with the assurance that that it was thoroughly tested and be trouble-free for years.
In 2009, Steve joined the management team to continue serving the clients in his new role of designing and pricing switchboards, to many different requirements from small standard units to the complex control MCCs. No job is too small or too large. His motto is no problem that is too big, just a challenge to overcome.
Christchurch
Ravineshwar Lal
Branch Manager
BEng Tech
From Fiji Islands, Ravi worked as an Electrical Draftsperson for 4 years at VEL Engineering, Building Services Consultancy after graduating from University of The South Pacific. He brings with him experience in AutoCAD electrical drafting. He joined Lynn Electrical as Junior Electrical Engineer in 2011. He was involved in engineering for projects like Parakiore Recreation and Sport Centre, Justice Precinct Christchurch, Pak N Save Papanui, Lincoln University, AG Research Facility Lincoln, Shirley Boys and Avonside Girls School, Christchurch Cashel Square, etc.
In 2016, Ravi joined the Christchurch branch from Auckland office. Now he is responsible for sales, estimating and engineering, besides the general management.
Managing Director Statement
Commitment
LECO Switchgear Limited is a leading manufacturer and supplier of Industrial and Commercial Switchgear and Control Panels to the Electrical Industry. Our emphasis is on Quality and Service, which help LECO Switchgear customers to remain competitive by improving their quality and productivity.
Lynn Electrical was formed in 1973 and from that time, has made Quality and Service the basis on which to form a growing and lasting relationship between the company and its customers. This commitment to customer satisfaction and quality has earned Lynn Electrical an excellent reputation in the commercial and industrial construction areas for quality products and reliable service.
Today, LECO Switchgear, following Lynn Electrical practise, is still committed to growth and customer satisfaction, which is brought about by our ability to listen to our customer needs, and requirements and to remain flexible no matter how small or large the project may be.
Mission statement
To focus on the Quality Design and
Manufacture of Switchboards
to meet our Customer needs
Quality Policy
LECO Switchgear. Limited is committed to a corporate system designed to consistently maintain the specified quality of the company’s products, thereby ensuring satisfaction of customer expectations, continuity of market penetration and acceptable company productivity and profitability.
Every Employee is required to ensure that the administrative and operating standards, specifications, processes, and procedures inherent in the system are always adhered to and in all instances.
As Chief Executive I accept responsibility for upholding the company’s Quality Assurance Program in all respects and for ensuring that its Quality Policy is in no way neglected, ignored or obstructed.
Steven Shrubb
Managing Director
