About Us
Formed in 1997, our goal was to design and make clever but simple energy controls that fulfilled the commercial needs of building operators while maintaining comfort for the occupant.
From simple touch controls in the early days, Prefect has embraced the rapid development of technology available to our industry and is now at the forefront of providing Building Services control and monitoring systems, unrivalled in our sector.
The company comprises Mechanical, Electrical, and Software engineers. We understand our market and its requirements. We develop products and systems that deliver results and are robust and resilient in terms of both design and manufacture to endure the often, challenging environments.
Philosophy
Philosophy
“Clever but simple”– has always been at the forefront of our minds – from the design process through system installation and on to end user operation.
Continual investment in sector leading equipment, coupled with commendable staff–loyalty, forges an outstanding facility providing robust, reliable yet cost-effective products.
Facilities
Facilities
Quality is critical to Prefect’s success, Our manufacturing facility’s Quality Management System (QMS) is certified to ISO9001:2015 and all staff are fully trained as Certified IPC Specialists (IPC-A-610, IPC J-STD-001 and IPC/WHMA-A-620).
Awards
Awards
• Water Saving Commercial
Product
WINNER
• Energy Management System - FINALIST
• Smart Building Product - FINALIST
• Commercial Installation
HIGHLY COMMENDED
ECN Awards 2024
• Sustainable Project
WINNER
• Overall Project
WINNER
Property Week Student Accommodation Awards 2024
• Supplier of the Year - FINALIST
Markets…
PBSA
Student Accommodation
University Housing
Build-to-Rent
Co-Living
HMOs
Holiday Lets / AirBNB
Hostels
Holiday Parks
Hotels
Our products are found in multi-occupancy dwellings including Student accommodation, PBSA, Co-Living and Build to Rent properties, hotels, leisure parks, hostels, and AirB&Bs – to name a few!
Owners and managers of accommodation can be confident that energy is not being used unnecessarily where occupants are not responsible for paying the energy bill directly.
More than 350,000 ecoStat intelligent thermostats and Irus ecosystem controls ensure residents’ comfort, but not at the expense of rooms being heated when unoccupied.
Our Safety devices, HobSensus and HobSafe, keep kitchens safer by making sure hobs cannot be left on while unattended. Thousands of landlords feel safe in the knowledge that occupants in communal kitchens are safer with these devices above the cooker. While families and carers of vulnerable people have peace of mind that all is being done to ensure the safety of those for whom they have a duty of care.
Prefect Controls History Timeline
26th March 1997
Prefect Controls Ltd. is Incorporated
May 1997
May 1997
June 1997
January 1998
March 1999
November 2002
January 2014
May 2014
August 2014
January 2015
Prefect develop the PRE2000CU2 central control unit
April 2015
The all-new Ecostat2 range of tamperproof thermostats is launched
July 2017
January 2018
The hob-timer range is broadened with the PRE9277 – 40Amp, two gang, horizontal or vertical units. Hobsafe is the new brand name
March 2018
The Ecostat range is upgraded to become Lot20 compliant – Ecostat2
April 2018
The first Ecostat2 Lot20 compliant energy lock heaters are delivered
November 2018
The list of features for IRUS grows to include leak detection
July 2019
October 2019
Prefect IRUS is added to the Energy Technology List (ETL) making it 100% tax deductable
read more
January 2020
April 2020
July 2021
October 2021
March 2022
March 2023
June 2023
Prefect introduces PipeSense
September 2023
50,000 Irus controls in rooms across the UK
September 2023
Prefect boosts green credentials with solar panels, reusable pallets and EV Fleet
read more
July 2024
Glen and Sue Golding, founders of Prefect Controls enter retirement and become Chair and Vice-Chair respectively
read more
August 2024
Irus Investigator is launched
October 2024
70,000 Irus controls in rooms across the UK
December 2024
ECN Awards
The Refinery – Sustainable Project of the year – WINNER
The Refinery – Overall Project of the year – WINNER
read more
March 2025
Irus Optimiser is launched
April 2025
Irus Reporter is launched
June 2025
ControlSensor is launched
Our People…
Glen Golding
Sue Golding
Will Mills
Nicole Howard
Gareth Chaplin
Adrian Barber
Tom McAndrew
Tracy Drummond
Sam Osborne
Chris Read
Craig Donnelly
Jenny Holmes
Paul Gower
Danny Golding
Nick Phillips
Will Dean
Joel Windsor
Alfie Meech
Jamie Head
…and Clients
Multi-Occupancy Accommodation Providers
Universities
Hotels and Hostels
Making Prefect products perfect
The quality assurance process
It is testament to the quality of Prefect Controls products that we have been commissioned to upgrade sites with new generation control systems, where a Prefect product had been installed 15 years previously.
Long life span
A case in point – 1600 controllers removed from a site – all of which were in full working order. It was the development of new features and performance efficiencies that prompted the upgrade. Due to vulnerable positioning and harsh existence, the heater panels are more likely to require replacement than the controllers. This is what signalled, to Energy Managers, the need for a new system.
The manufacturing procedure
All components are stored in controlled, secure conditions. The stock management software maintains supplies that are drawn down when production requirements are logged on the Bill of Manufacture (BOM).
Printed circuit boards (PCBs) are produced on site using the ASM Horizon 03iX Stencil Printer with camera fiducial alignment.
Components are placed on the PCB using a double armed Panasonic CM101-D Pick and Place machine before progressing to and through the Heller Reflow Oven which has a total of 18 heated zones (9 top and 9 bottom). This is where solder is heated, and components are secured.
The Trident ZDO PCB cleaning machine removes any manufacturing residues.
Any components that fall outside the capability of automated placement are hand–fixed by the soldering team.
People, equipment and processes – certified and examined
Prefect has a rigorous quality control programme throughout the design, development and production of its products. The manufacturing facility’s
Quality Management System (QMS) is certified to ISO9001:2015 and all staff are fully trained as Certified IPC Specialists (IPC-A-610, IPC J-STD-001 and IPC/WHMA-A-620). Quality is critical to Prefect’s success, it underpins all manufacturing processes, from accuracy of assembly and efficient use of time to minimal wastage of materials.
Continual investment in sector leading equipment, technology and processes – coupled with commendable staff–loyalty and retention – forges an outstanding facility that manufactures robust, reliable yet cost-effective products.
Inspection. Inspection. Inspection!
Each and every circuit board is scrutinised by eye before going through the Automated Optical Inspection (AOI). A ‘perfect example’ is scanned by the MEK PowerSpektor GTAz+GDAz 550BTL and ‘memorised’ for comparison purposes.
The AOI has top–down/bottom–up cameras and is fitted with 8 digital eyes for side and edge scanning, enabling simultaneous double–sided inspection. Omnidirectional multi–colour LED lighting has the capability to test a range of criteria on all types of solder joints.
Every PCB passes through the AOI and is compared, photographically, with the ‘perfect example’. Any faults are flagged and rejected from the batch for rectification.
Testing! Testing!
The PCBs are then placed on purpose-built Prefect test rigs, powered up and examined to ensure they are fully functional.
Assembly
After testing PCBs are coupled with their chassis, assembled, and where necessary, fascia overlays are applied. The units are then boxed ready for dispatch.
Performance
Prefect proudly boast a 99.5% on–site performance record. Likewise, 99% of ‘faulty’ controls are returned to site, following testing, for re-installation – fully functioning!
Our Testing Department data reveals the most common reason for a product being returned, is on–site operational/programming mistakes.
The robust design, meticulous production process and rigorous testing procedures means Prefect is confident in supplying all products with a 5–year warranty, and the assurance that it will probably be another 15 years before replacement is necessary!
Book a call to find out how we can improve efficiency, safety and comfort in your property.
