English Electric Co., Stafford

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Date:1955 - 1957 (c.)

Description:In the background of this Staffordshire Newsletter picture is English Electric’s Main Office building near to the Lichfield Road (A34) in Stafford. The English Electric Co. was renowned for its electrical products including generators, transformers and switchgear.

This photograph shows the start of groundworks for a new Transformer Works which would be built on land near to Stychfields in Stafford. For many years transformers had been built on the adjacent ‘Main works’ site, however, due to the rapid development of transformers a new larger transformer manufacturing facility was required.

Planning for the new factory began in 1955, building started in August 1957 and by November 1958 occupation of the building began. When completed the new factory covered around 245,000 sq. feet and cost £2 million to build and £1 million to equip. In addition, a 40,000 sq. ft. four floor office block accommodating transformer design and commercial staff was built. In October 2020 the Transformer Works are still operational as part of the GE (General Electric) group.

Additional information: Siemens Brothers purchased land by the Lichfield Road in 1901 and built a factory and offices which were ready to start production in 1903. In 1918 Siemens merged with several companies, including Dick, Kerr and Co., to become The English Electric Co. Two years later in 1920, The English Electric Co. bought the Stafford Works. The English Electric Co. merged with GEC (The General Electric Company) during 1968 and the Lichfield Road Site became part of GEC Power Engineering Ltd. On 22 March 1989 became part of GEC ALSTHOM, an Anglo French Joint Venture. On 22 June 1998 this in turn became part of ALSTOM with global HQ in Paris and on 2 November 2015 the Stafford Grid and Power Businesses became part of GE (General Electric, an American Company).

Reproduced by Kind Permission of the Staffordshire Newsletter who retain copyright.