MK Electric


MK Electric is a company that makes electrical accessories. The company's headquarters are in Basildon, Essex, England, from where it sells goods worldwide.

History

In 1912 Charles Arnold and Charles Belling formed Belling and Company making electric fires. Following his release from the army in 1919 Charles Arnold founded 'The Heavy Current Electrical Accessories Company' with Charles Belling as a shareholder. This was later renamed MK Electric. The company developed electrical equipment such as high rated switches and sockets.

Multy Kontact socket

One product, the Multy Kontact spring grip socket, soon became a market leader and the British Engineering Standards Association changed standards to adopt this new product. By 1923 demand for these new products was growing rapidly and new production facilities were built in Edmonton, Middlesex. The company was then renamed MK Electric after its flagship product.

Shuttered socket

In 1928 the first shuttered socket was produced which concealed the live and neutral contacts when the plug is pulled out of the socket.

World War II

During World War II, production at the Edmonton factory focused on munitions to help the war effort, but development work resumed in 1945. In the 1950s MK Electric produced a light switch design which is still used today.

Post war

In 1966 the company floated on the stock exchange and became MK Electric Holding Company Ltd. The company later became a subsidiary of Honeywell International in 2005 when its parent company Novar plc was acquired. Its factory in Southend-on-Sea produced its one millionth socket in 2014.

Product recall

MK Electric issued a product recall on 12 April 2013 for part 5500S due to its being a potential fire hazard. This only affects the 5500S sold between 1 October 2012 and 26 January 2013.