Weidmuller celebrates 40 years

Weidmuller Australia celebrated its 40th anniversary with an Australiana-themed luncheon party complete with hand-picked local food and a bush band at its headquarters in Emu Plains on Thursday 20 September. Surrounded by hay bales and a myriad of photos marking the history of the company, Managing Director, Weidmuller Australia, Andrew Finch welcomed all the guests and its 60 employees to the anniversary lunch. The event was all about getting connected, so “Let’s connect,” he opened.

“People are very important to this company,” he said. With a large number of employees being with the company for 20, 25 and some over 30 years, the company was described as ‘one big family’ and it is obvious that employees like to work there.

Third-generation German founder Christian Glasel, who is Chairman of the Weidmuller Supervisory Board & Representative of the Glasel family, was in Australia for the first time. Setting up globally with Weidmuller Australia and its Klippon Electrical brand back in the 70s was a huge step for the German-based family business. To have a global presence in a remote country such as Australia was difficult but significant and it is still one of the few German companies remaining today. Christian said the reason for the success is the company’s unique range of products, which are custom-made for the market.

Trevor Hitchcock, Founding Managing Director, Weidmuller Australia likened the beginnings of the organisation to the convicts. He started the company back in September 1972 after he travelled from England and arrived at Botany Bay on a rainy day in April. Working with two generations of the Glasel family, including Christian’s father, he shared some amusing stories from his 29-year history with the company. He commented that one of the main reasons for originally choosing the Emu Plains site was related to the then government ‘promises’ of the M4 freeway being completed within five years.

The luncheon included a charity auction with all proceeds going to Westmead Children’s Hospital.