Discover Our History
Over a century of British innovation
THE BEGINNING OF SOMETHING SPECIAL
The company was found in 1904 in Birmingham by Edward Thomas Davies, Arthur Reynolds and Francis John Ritchie, who all previously worked for the Tucker Switch Company. They originally named their company Wandsworth Electrical Manufacturing Company (WEMCO), with Wandsworth chosen as the name because a founding member came from that area of London.
1914
Wandsworth was called upon for Special production for Service needs during the First World War, manufacturing shell fuses and missile components.
1927
Wandsworth Electrical advertise in the September issue of The Architect & Building News, highlighting the choice of Wandsworth switches for use in America House, Cockspur Street.
1939
Wandsworth was called upon again to serve for Special production for munitions during the Second World War.
1942
June 30th – Factory hit by Incendiary Bomb during raid on Birmingham and the company is forced to operate out of temporary locations including a car.
1952
The big move – Company relocates to Albert Drive, Sheerwater, Woking as part of the development of Sheerwater Estate which includes homes for 5,000 people and factories for manufacturers.
1955
Wandsworth Electrical supplies premium electrical accessories for the Queens Building (Terminal 2) Heathrow.
1961
Wandsworth Electrical supplies plug sockets and light switches for the new Shell Building, London.
1965
Wandsworth Electrical supply one of its largest orders in the company’s history to the Barbican Development, London.
1980
We continue to proudly manufacture in the UK, despite more British companies sending their production overseas.
1985
Wandsworth Electrical supply premium electrical accessories to the newly built HSBC building in Hong Kong.
1986
Wandsworth Electrical supply designer light switches and plug sockets to Queen Elizabeth conference centre.
2013
Relocation to new modern premises in Sheerwater, just half a mile from the site we had occupied for all over 60 years, where we continue the tradition of manufacturing by hand
2013
Product Launch – The Penthouse Collection, the pinnacle of design artistry and technical skill – home to our finest creations.
2014
Wandsworth Electrical is chosen to supply premium designer light switches and plug sockets to the landmark redevelopment of Battersea Power Station.
2015
Product Launch – With the ever increasing usage of smart phones we evolved our collections to include an integrated USB socket, enabling quicker and easier charging – Beautifully Crafted, Wonderfully Practical
2016
Wandsworth Electrical continued to be specified for iconic projects, bringing peerless quality to interiors in London and around the world. 2016 included the BBC TV centre and Gasholders, Kings Cross
The Wandsworth Group
Ritchie House, Woking Business Park, Albert Drive, Sheerwater Woking, Surrey, GU21 5JY