How Winder Power’s innovative transformers have been powering the UK’s grid for over a century 

Proudly British, Winder Power is a specialist in the design and manufacture of power generation and electrical equipment. Specifically, the company designs, manufactures, installs, and services distribution, power, and grid transformers. Within the Winder Power group, there are three separate divisions, all with market-leading qualities in their respective expertise areas: distribution, power, and grid transformers, transformers services, and Newton Derby, which manufactures permanent magnet generators (PMGs) and exciters. Josh Doust, Group Sales and Marketing Director, talks us through the company’s rich history, which spans over a century. 

“In existence for around 126 years, the company has undergone various transformations throughout its journey, including multiple name changes. The original name, RF Winder (RFW), was derived from its founder, Roland Frederick Winder. Several key milestones have shaped the business into the entity it is today. Between 1898 and the 1960s, still operating under the RFW name, the company functioned as an electrical contracting business. Rather than manufacturing products, it specialized in motor rewind, transformer refurbishment, and installation services. Subsequently, from the 1960s to the 1980s, RFW went down the route of developing distribution transformers, marking the beginning of its current operations. A significant milestone occurred in the late 1980s when the business was awarded a contract to provide a large number of 500, 800, and 1000 kilovolt-amperes (kVA) distribution transformers for the Eurotunnel project. During this period, the company also became Leeds United’s first ever main shirt sponsor under the RFW name. This relationship with Leeds United has recently been rekindled, with Winder Power currently serving as a Silver business partner,” he opens. 

Fast forward to the present, Winder Power stands as one of the UK’s leading providers of power and distribution transformers, offering a wide range of products and services to multiple clients. “We supply power transformers to the critical infrastructure network, serving utilities, distribution network operators (DNOs), and end-users such as water and rail companies, power stations, and more. However, most of our business comes from DNOs. We hold long-term framework contracts for power transformers with six out of the UK’s seven DNOs, including SSE Northern Ireland, Electricity North West, Northern Powergrid, ScottishPower, National Grid Electricity Distribution, and UK’s largest water utility, Thames Water, with whom we have a contract for distribution transformers. Our clients can benefit from our multifaceted transformer services business. This division is dedicated to installing our transformers, refurbishing transformers – even those not manufactured by us – as well as storing third-party transformers. Furthermore, we provide transformer relocations, maintenance, and on-site testing. Therefore, clients purchasing a full-package transformer from us can have it delivered on-site, cold commissioned, and ready to go, all completed by our in-house transformer services team of over 20 people.” 

In addition to operational excellence, Winder Power’s UK-based manufacturing delivers a strategic advantage in supporting DNOs’ sustainability and net zero goals. By sourcing transformers locally, transportation emissions are significantly reduced, helping cut Scope 3 emissions from the supply chain and directly contributing to DNOs’ net zero targets. Moreover, it enables greater transparency and traceability across the supply chain, making it easier to verify ethical sourcing, production standards, and environmental performance, which are key to meeting ESG obligations, the Modern Slavery Act, and the UK Net Zero Strategy. Local procurement also supports the broader British economy, creating green jobs and building skills within the clean energy sector, aligning with national initiatives like the Green Industrial Revolution and Levelling Up agenda. 

“Presently, our operations are centered around three core pillars: distribution transformers, power transformers, and more recently, grid transformers. Notably, we are rapidly moving toward in-house production of transformers up to 132 kV, with our first orders scheduled for delivery early next year. Consequently, all eyes are on our upcoming factory upgrade, which will enable us to deliver this new product on time as we expand into the grid market. Moreover, for the past few years, we have been establishing supply chain and manufacturing partnerships for even larger transformers, reaching 275 kV and 400 kV. We have formed partnerships with companies overseas, particularly one in Turkey, where we take on a project management and installation partner role. This means that we oversee the entire process, managing projects and contracts, conducting design reviews, and ultimately providing those transformers to the customer. If any audits or factory acceptance testing are required, we facilitate those with the customer and our overseas manufacturing partner,” Josh expands.

Upgrading its factory is set to empower Winder Power to meet the evolving needs of its clients through an enhanced manufacturing layout, equipment, and capabilities. “Representing a multimillion-pound investment, this full facility upgrade was driven by several factors. Firstly, we needed to refresh the layout of our shop floor for efficiency; we want production to start at one end and have the finished product at the other. In contrast, our current factory layout is not linear and not as organized as it could be, which limits efficiency and monthly output. With the upgrade, we will be able to increase our output by about 50 percent on distribution and power transformers. Secondly, we will soon introduce the larger transformers I mentioned earlier, which will be produced on-site. To achieve this, the facility will feature separate bays for the production of our existing offerings and a new bay for making larger two-winding and three-winding transformers of up to 120 Megavolt-Amperes (MVA) with voltage levels of 66 and 132kV. 

“The upgrade includes a state-of-the-art test facility worth over £1.5 million that will be almost fully automated, allowing us to run all tests with minimal need for manual reconfiguration in the lab. Our target is to have this test facility operational by the end of the year. As part of the upgrade, we are acquiring a new state-of-the-art vacuum oven, which will fundamentally enhance our efficiency. Additionally, we are installing new crane systems, as producing 120 MVA transformers will require extremely large cranes, along with robotic carts to lift the transformers on. Instead of relying solely on cranes, we will use these carts to move the transformers around the factory and into the testing area. The facility will also feature a mezzanine for additional office space dedicated to production and transformer services. Lastly, we will be relocating our Newton Derby business, which manufactures PMGs and exciters, from the area where the new test facility will be established,” Josh adds. 

As Winder Power lays the foundation for further growth through this factory upgrade, the secret behind its longevity and enduring success over the past 126 years lies in its dedicated workforce and leadership approach. “The reason this business has thrived for so long is our people, including those who have taken over and run this company, unafraid to shift our key mission and adapt our focus. Our history reflects that evolution, starting out as an electrical contracting and refurbishment business before moving into distribution transformers and later power transformers. Since then, we have been on a journey, evolving to produce larger transformers right here in the UK and securing more DNO contracts. 

“For me, the key to our longevity is constantly adapting to the market and where the business might be heading but also valuing our people and strong leadership. As a British engineering company, a crucial part of our identity is our workforce as well as our commitment to British engineering. Our people, our factory, and our focus on British engineering form the cornerstone of this business. Instead of simply outsourcing everything, we made the decision to remain a British engineering company driven by our talented team. We have continually reinvested in our people and facilities, all while keeping up with trends now more than ever. The business had been stable for many years, but over the last couple of years we have been and continue to be on an exciting journey that has seen our revenue increase by over 150 percent and allowed us to employ over 160 people in the heart of the country, with further jobs set to be created with our new product lines and increased output. We have reached a point where market demand for our products is on a significant growth trajectory, and we must be ready to capitalize on that,” Josh ends. 

Winder Power’s century-long legacy of innovation, unwavering commitment to British engineering, and investment in its facilities solidify its position as a leader in the transformer industry.  

winderpower.co.uk