Generations of engineering excellence – The history of Richard Wilson Dencol (RWD)

Established in 1946 by entrepreneur Richard Wilson, RWD started dealing in the provision of flame-proof equipment, pumps and motors. Twenty years later in 1967, Richard’s two sons, Dennis and Colin joined the company. By 1974 the business was incorporated and became known as RWD – Richard Wilson (Dencol) Limited and grew into a leading supplier of refurbished power equipment.

In 1990 Dennis Wilson’s son, Simon Wilson, joined the business and just three years later RWD’s battery charger division was created. By the end of the 1990s, Colin Wilson’s daughter, Erika, had become yet another family member to join the business RWD has been a leading supplier of re-engineered distribution transformers and switchgear until May 2011 when it became part of Wilson Power Solutions Ltd.

The history of Power & Distribution Transformers – PDT

Power & Distribution Transformers Ltd [PDT] was established in 1994 by Dennis, Colin and Simon Wilson.

Originally set up to manufacture distribution transformers, it successfully diversified and by 1996 begun to import cast resin transformers from Italy for the UK market.

By the year 2000, the manufacture of Power Transformers up to 50 MVA was in full swing and in 2005 PDT first started to manufacture its own range of low voltage feeder pillars and MCCB/ACB cabinets.

PDT has been a leading UK power engineering business manufacturing next generation products such as the Wilson e2, the UK’s first super low loss amorphous transformer until it became part of Wilson Power Solutions Ltd in May 2011. In early 2019, Wilson Power Solutions Ltd launched the Wilson e3, the industry-leading ultra-low loss transformer product.

Erika Wilson becomes major shareholder and sole managing director

Simon Wilson retires from his role as joint Managing Director and makes a full exit from the company after 31 years at Wilson Power Solutions. Erika Wilson becomes the sole Managing Director after carrying out this role jointly with Simon for the last 13 years. Erika will also become the major shareholder of the business.

Erika and Simon have steadily grown the business from £6 million to £22 million since their fathers Colin and Dennis retired, and have successfully established independent departments to allow prompt decision making and adequate response to market needs. Our exceptional calibre led by the management team puts quality, efficiency and customer support at the heart of all our deliverables.

Wilson Power Solutions has increased sales by 20% in the last financial year during the pandemic and is now expanding its teams to serve the strategic growth plans.

Our values as a family business will remain unchanged after Simon’s retirement as they enable us to be agile and responsive. We will carry on as a thought leader in the industry and we will always advocate for advancing Net Zero and combating climate change while working on the betterment of the sector as a whole.