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.

1904

Founded and based at Mary Street, Birmingham.

1908

Relocate to 61-62 Ludgate Hill, Birmingham.

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.

1928

Relocate to Kenyon Street, Birmingham.

1935

A new logo is developed

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.

1943

Find a new home at Frederick Street, Birmingham.

1950

A new logo to represent our growing business.

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.

1958

The Wandsworth Red Spot Plug is advertised as virtually unbreakable.

1960

An update on the logo

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.

1968

Our latest catalogue with our range of Electrical Accessories.

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.

1996

A new logo is developed

1997

An advert in AJ Focus highlighting how Wandsworth Electrical Design for Designers.

1998

Patents granted for our clip-on front plates first seen in our Infinity range

2001

New Product launch – The Crystal Range of transparent plates are launched.

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

2019

Wandsworth Electrical launches its brand new website, including its Online Shop. The new site is as sleek and innovative as their designs, serving to provide customers with everything they need to start their Wandsworth journey.

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