Company's History
Learn about our legacy
Since 1956, ETEL has grown from a small New Zealand manufacturer into a trusted supplier of distribution transformers across Australasia and the Pacific.
It started modestly, Ron Trotman founded Trotman Transformers from the basement of his home in West Auckland, with a focus on specialised transformer manufacturing and a reputation for quality and service that would prove lasting. In 1994, the business shifted its focus to distribution transformers, responding to growing demand and positioning the company for significant expansion. That growth brought sustained investment in manufacturing capability, including new factory space and relocation to meet increasing production requirements.
In 2009, ETEL was acquired by Unison Group, an electricity network company with ambitions to strengthen its Smart Grid capability. Transformers sit at the heart of electricity distribution, making the acquisition a natural strategic fit and under Unison's ownership, ETEL doubled in size. Operations extended into Australia with dedicated sales and support, and today ETEL serves customers across New Zealand, Australia and the Pacific.
Throughout every stage of that journey, what has remained consistent is a practical commitment to reliability, building capability over time to support the evolving needs of electricity networks, infrastructure and industry
Our Timeline
1956
Trotman Transformers established by Mr. Ron Trotman.
1963
Trotman Transformers Limited Incorporated
1974
Company name changed to Trotman Electronics Limited to acknowledge the wider range of products offered.
1984
Company name changed to Electronic & Transformer Engineering Limited at the time of change of proprietorship. The company relocated to a larger premises.
1986
Transformer operations of Willis Transformers Limited acquired.
1988
First exports of AC Adaptors to Australia
1991
Exports to USA, UK and Australia reaches 20% of production.
1992
Transformer operations of Willis Transformers Limited acquired.
1994
Decision taken to enter the distribution transformer market; Set up distribution transformer division; Production of the company's first distribution transformers for the NZ market.
1997
First exports of distribution transformer achieved to an Australian utility company.
2001
Change of company name to ETEL Limited, on the sale of the small transformer division operations to senior staff of the company.
2002
Purchase of larger premises and relocation of operations to present site
2004
Completion of a decade of distribution transformer manufacture.
2006
Exports exceed 20% of total output.
2009
ETEL purchased by Unison.
2011
Exports exceed 50% of total output.
2013
ETEL opens two more plants at its Auckland manufacturing facility, including a new large transformer production line.
2016
ETEL opens its purpose built raw material storage facility. ETEL acquires majority stake in an Indonesian transformer manufacturing operation.
2018
ETEL opens its Perth sales and service centre. ETEL's Aucland R&D Lab recieves IANZ accreditation.
2019
ETEL completes the $2M upgrade to its paint operation.
2021
ETEL purchases ABB Services (Now ETEL Services) and expands its service offering to include large motors and generators.
2023
ETEL Singapore opens (April). ETEL Power Solutions is formed, a seperate division of ETEL specialising in switchgear and integrated kiosk solutions.
2024
ETELs Oil generation plant is fully operational, recycling used transformer oil, returning it to virgin-quality standards.
2025
Sale of ETEL Services to PBA, who is also part of the Unison Group.
Present Day
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