Wilson Transformer Company - local and serving customers worldwide

Ed Robert and James Wilson of Wilson Transformers

Looking at Springvale Road today, it’s hard to visualise what it looked like when Wilson Transformer Company (WTC) bought its current Glen Waverley property in 1948. The road was narrow, rough and only partially sealed, and all around it were market gardens and orchards.

Jack Wilson founded WTC in 1933 in a tiny garage in South Melbourne. Jack’s grandson, Ed Wilson, is the current Managing Director and is proud the values that differentiated the company from others back then continue today.

“For 85 years we have established a track record of technical excellence and innovation combined with a belief and passion for our product, strong ethical and family values and, above all, a commitment to being an Australian company,” said Ed.

WTC has grown into an international company with around 700 employees and a turnover of $250 million. It has offices in New Zealand, Singapore and the UK, and subsidiaries/joint ventures in the US, Malaysia and Saudi Arabia.

Many thousands of WTC transformers, from small distribution transformers to large transmission transformers, are in service around Australia and the world including Antarctica, Africa, China, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, UAE, the UK, the USA and Vietnam.

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is an important value that is demonstrated in many ways, but is based on engaging with and investing in the industry and communities to help build opportunities and create prosperity.

One such initiative was sponsoring SolarBuddy (solarbuddy.org) at the Monash Mini Maker Faire in December 2019.  Attendees could build a solar light, learn how to reduce the impact of energy poverty, and send their light to vulnerable children empowering them to read and study at night. Solar lighting also supports improved health outcomes with communities no longer being reliant on health-damaging kerosene lighting. 

“WTC is passionate about the energy sector and understands the importance of safe and reliable electricity,” said Ed. “We have been involved in many renewable energy projects and are proud to contribute to a clean energy future. It was therefore an easy decision to support SolarBuddy, where 100 SolarBuddy lights will be shipped across the world to at-risk communities.”

Other CSR projects WTC supports include: Albury/Wodonga Solar Car Challenge; annual prizes and scholarships for Monash University (since 1969) and RMIT students; Glendale Primary School for the Human Powered Vehicle program; and the Sri Lanka Tsunami Appeal where WTC and its Sri Lankan employees raised money to rebuild a two-storey school building, buy a school bus, plus continuing maintenance support.

The company also runs educational factory tours for local schools, universities, industries and community groups. It has hosted a Monash Council Industry Site Tour and supported the Council’s International Women’s Day celebration of women in STEM.

“Factory tours are a great opportunity, especially for engineering students, to see the step-by-step manufacturing process. We believe it’s a powerful way to develop a deep understanding of our transformer solutions and the industry. It also allows us to showcase the capabilities of an Australian manufacturer,” Ed added.

WTC Projects

  • Euro Tunnel (UK side)
  • Olympic Games precincts in Sydney and London
  • Clyde Wind Farm in Scotland
  • Broken Hill and Nyngan Solar Farms (100 transformers)
  • Nickel smelter in Indonesia
  • Chevron Wheatstone LNG project (WA)

For more information, visit wtc.com.au

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