Winder Power __________________________________________________________________________________________________
Demand for grid infrastructure keeps outpacing supply, putting pressure on manufacturers to deliver capacity at a pace utilities and developers can trust. Across the UK, network upgrades, renewable connections and data center growth are driving orders for larger transformers. With volatile global supply chains increasingly threatening infrastructure timelines, Winder Power’ s domestic manufacturing capability is turning industry-standard lead times into a distinct competitive advantage.
At its Leeds site, Winder Power has entered a new chapter fueled by steady investment and significant operational changes. Josh Doust, Group Sales & Marketing Director, is right at the heart of that transition- shaping how the business communicates its capabilities to utilities, renewable energy companies, and industry partners. When it came to defining the next phase of growth, Josh’ s answer was straightforward.“ We asked ourselves,‘ What is next for our business’ s evolution?’ That pointed us directly toward higher-voltage transformer manufacturing.”
Factory transition
The move to 132 kV has not been a single upgrade; it has touched nearly every corner of Winder Power’ s manufacturing site and has not been without challenges that, as a business, it has overcome.“ The new 132 kV line is now fully operational,” Josh explains, highlighting that the collaboration across the business to get this major milestone complete has been fantastic. Production has already begun, with the first unit moving along the line.“ This is the first 132 kV transformer we’ ve designed and manufactured ourselves and it is not a small one either, rated at 45 / 60MVA,” he notes, referring to a unit now nearing testing. For Josh and the wider business, this marks a genuine shift in capability, connecting design ownership with manufacturing delivery.
A wider upgrade supports that move. New cranes and handling systems have been installed alongside new vacuum ovens and a giant new tanking pit. Josh describes the scale of the excavation work on the pit plainly, comparing it to a deep diving swimming pool.
Testing capacity has expanded alongside production.“ We are now going to be operating two test labs within our factory,” Josh shares. The new high-voltage facility works beside the existing power lab. It is a practical move to keep throughput steady while handling larger units, so different product ranges can move through testing without delay.
“ The opportunity was there for a UK manufacturer of these larger transformers. Demand is outstripping the supply chain,” Josh explains. That demand is translating into firm orders, with more than 20 units already confirmed at 132kV level.
The opportunity was there for a UK manufacturer of these larger transformers. Demand is outstripping the supply chain
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