IDS are ABB Inverter specialists. We specify, install, commission, repair, service and hire variable speed drives.
IDS was founded in 1999 by Blaise Ford as an ABB Drives Distributor and has since grown to become one of the UK’s leading ABB Value Providers (formerly ABB Drives Alliance Partners). While variable speed drives remain at the core of our offering, our expertise now extends to electric motors, controls, and a range of ancillary products and services — including harmonic filters, energy surveys, and condition monitoring.
IDS has been an ABB variable speed drive partner since 1994 providing complete support and backup to ABB’s market leading products. We are proud to be an ABB VP (Value Provider).
Our roots go back even further to 1994, when Blaise Ford led Wilson Ford Ltd in Nottingham to become an early distributor of ABB drives. IDS was officially established in Wilford, Nottingham in 1999 and quickly flourished. In 2010, we relocated to a purpose-built industrial unit on the Quarry Hill Industrial Estate near Ilkeston, Derbyshire. Situated on the historic Stanton Staveley ironworks site, this remains our home today.
In 2023, Matt Handley joined the business, bringing a fresh approach to leadership and strategy and is now our Managing Director. Blaise Ford has since stepped back from day-to-day operations but continues to retain a strong interest in the business.
As an ABB Value Provider, IDS is certified by ABB to deliver the highest levels of technical expertise, product knowledge, and customer support. Our team receives continuous training and is regularly audited to meet ABB’s global quality standards — giving our customers complete confidence in every solution we provide.
Today, IDS comprises of a dedicated team of 18 people, including 8 experienced engineers, 4 technical sales specialists, and 6 professionals managing the office and operations. Three of our team have been with us since the early Wilson Ford days — a testament to our culture of loyalty and technical depth.
We support our customers with 24/7 access to technical advice, breakdown response, and stock availability. We also maintain one of the UK’s largest fleets of ABB hire drives to ensure short-term flexibility and uptime for our clients.
We take pride in applying our knowledge and experience to our customers’ systems, helping them to reduce energy usage, enhance process control, and minimise wear and tear. Our free energy efficiency motor surveys identify suitable applications for variable speed drives, quantify potential savings, recommend solutions (including controls), and offer a complete turnkey installation service. Our reports clearly show anticipated savings, capital payback periods, and projected annual returns.
We work across a wide range of industries — including manufacturing, aggregates and quarries, food and beverage, water, logistics and warehousing, power generation, petrochem, offices, hospitals, leisure and HVAC — delivering reliable, efficient, and cost-effective automation and motor control solutions.
Trusted by manufacturers and facilities managers, IDS is known for its technical excellence, responsive service, and long-standing customer partnerships.
For all enquiries about IDS, ABB variable speed drives, motors, controls, or any of our services, please call 0115 944 1036 or email [email protected]
Whether you want to explore better process control, discover just how much energy can be saved with inverter technology or if you have a non-urgent technical query, please complete the form and one of our engineers will be in touch soon.
Alternatively, call 0115 944 1036 for 24/7 breakdown support or email [email protected]