Transformer works, English Electric Co., Stafford

Description:This photograph of a new sign on the English Electric’s Transformer Works building was taken from Stychields car park at the Lichfield Road Works in Stafford. The sign was illuminated at night and visible to passengers on the nearby West Coast Main Line.

For many years Transformers had been built on the adjacent ‘Main works’ site, however, due to the rapid development of transformers this new Transformer Works was required. The planning for this began in 1955, building started in August 1957 and by November 1958 occupation began. 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.

The English Electric Co. in Stafford was renowned for its electrical products including generators, transformers and switchgear. At the time this picture was taken there were many thousands of employees based on the Lichfield Road site. This required several large car parks which were located at Stychfields, Riverway, and the Main, Transformers and Visitors car parks along with bicycle sheds around the site perimeter.

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).