Power Equipment, Darwin NT
About Us
Werner Utzinger and Fred Karlsson established Delta Electrics
in 1969. Both
men originally met in Mt Isa in 1967 whilst working their way around Australia.
At the time they wouldn't have realised how important that chance meeting was
to prove.
When they arrived separately in Darwin they were both strangers in a strange town and naturally when they came face to face again it was pleasant to find a known face and they soon began swapping experiences. Werner and Fred didn't have too much trouble in handling jobs in their respective fields but they kept in touch and as time went on began to plan an idea for a company of their own.
Delta's first home was an unused part of a factory in McMinn St, and they advertised the business as electrical contracting and marine engineering.
They started work with a staff of three and within two years had to move out to a new building behind Shell Service Station, Daly St because of rapid expansion. By 1973 Werner and Fred had space problems again and opened up a separate motor winding shop in Finnis St just across the road. After 12 months it was obvious that this was not going to work and they were looking for another home. They found one at 158 Coonawarra Road Winnellie and after purchasing the property began to move in. Moving their type of equipment, stores and materials is not a five-minute job so although Delta Electrics were not completely moved in by December 24 th 1974. That night Cyclone Tracy unleashed her fury on Darwin and Delta Electrics suffered severe damage to their new premises. This didn't slow them down however because Fred and Werner immediately expanded the business into marketing and took on the agencies of Lincoln Welding Equipment and Davey-Dunlite Generators.
In 1984 the management team of Gordon Harvey, Bruce Hanton and John White were exercising their option to purchase the company, at this time the company moved to its current location of 1751 Coonawarra Road Winnellie, which put them into a first class set-up, second to none in Darwin that can cater for any requirement in their field with an average of 20 staff to look after the customers.
BP Solar had decided it was time to move into the Northern Territory market place and in 1988 they were looking to purchase a leading, well-established local company that could handle their solar product. BP chose Delta Electrics, and by doing so took over ownership and control from the owners. The management team stayed in place and continued under the BP banner for the next 11 years. In 1999 BP and Amoco merged worldwide and under new direction opted to change strategies of owning retail outlets. The opportunity arose early in the year 2000, and in September 2000, two of the original management team, Gordon Harvey and John White, as well as the current Spare Parts Manager Michael Chapman purchased the company back from BP. Michael Chapman retired at the end of 2004 and General Manager Damon Wagland took the opportunity to increase his share holding in the business and has been appointed as a Director. This move has strengthened the already strong local customer focus of Delta Electrics and positions the company into an exciting new era that will continue on for many years to come.