Founded in a family garage back in 1996, TKG Electrics began a journey with a dream to become a national leader in the LV Switchboard sector.
“Fast forward to 2025 and we have grown into one of the leading suppliers of LV distribution solutions in Victoria, approaching 30 years in manufacturing,” says Dean van Dullemen, General Manager of TKG Electrics, operating extensively from its headquarters in the rapidly growing Truganina region in Melbourne’s West.
As their success spread over the State, TKG expanded from larger residential developments to also include new business areas such as mining, health, commercial, and industrial work. The growth has seen it move into successively larger new premises, with the latest HQ being double the size of its predecessor. Already, the company’s success formula has that new plant operating at capacity – with a view to even further expansion.
“Our success is attributable not only to our adherence to industry standards and compliance, but also to our strong culture and family values, enabling national expansion. TKG Electrics is just that, a family, and every one of our employees plays a vital role in our success. Although we are small in numbers, we excel in employee value, culture, and mentorship,” says Dean, who is himself an example of what strong mentoring can achieve.
“I began my apprenticeship in 2006 and, through our employment program, received mentorship from some of the best in the business. This has given me the foundations to lead our company for over 19 years, overseeing its operations and strategy. I am passionate about creating a positive and productive work environment, fostering collaboration and innovation among my team members and contributing to advancing the LV Switchboard industry alongside the National Electrical Switchboard Manufacturing Association (NESMA). I have devoted more than half my life to this company, remaining committed to its success and the success of each of our employees.
“Being involved with NESMA from a relatively young age has contributed strongly to my personal development, in and outside of the industry. NESMA has provided a place where like-minded individuals can come together to help educate, mentor and ensure the manufacturing industry in Australia continues to strive for better. It allowed us to follow in the footsteps of national leaders and has given us the tools to become our own leaders.”
Dean says that in 2025, the company continues to takes pride in its ability to adapt to changing times. “Our employees are our core, and we continue to cultivate industry leaders through our mentorship programs. We are proud to have given every employee an opportunity to develop their skills and grow into natural leaders. Examples over the recent years include Jared Baker (Operations Manager) and David Unsworth (Manufacturing Manager).
“Jared and David are at the heart of our organisation. Jared’s design and business development qualifications are significant contributors to our organisation’s success and future growth. David, with over 15 years of experience in switchboard manufacturing, is our manufacturing team leader and we strongly rely on his experience and leadership to ensure we run a successful program year-to-year.”
TKG Electrics started off in the residential development sector, particularly high-rise apartment developments. “We have worked with many builders and contractors across Victoria in this space and are known to specialise in group metering requirements. As we have grown, we have branched out into more areas over time and have found great success.
“We now provide LV switchboard solutions nationally in many sectors including mining, health, commercial and industrial developments. We have expanded so much that we outgrew our original facility back in 2021 and relocated to a space twice the size – and, dare I say it, it looks like another upgrade is on the horizon as we are quickly running out of space.”
Dean says being located in Melbourne’s west, with its highly competitive skills market, was one of the company’s greatest hurdles over the years, and still is. “It’s incredibly difficult to find staff in our industry and it’s a factor that has limited further rapid growth – which is another reason why we pride ourselves on our work culture and appeal, because we appreciate the importance of our employees and the unwavering impact they have on small business.”
NESMA Programmes
NESMA programmes help address issues such as those faced by TKG Electrics. “As long-standing members and supporters of NESMA, TKG is proud to celebrate our pivotal role in the technical and compliance requirements of the switchboard sector. Our collaboration with NESMA has significantly contributed to our internal and external successes, advancing the LV sector as a whole.
“NESMA has been instrumental in advancing TKG’s adherence to industry standards. Their guidance and support have been crucial in shaping TKG into the company it is today.”
Dean says TKG’s objectives as a company are to continue to advance the electrical switchboard sector alongside NESMA – “Any opportunity to make the industry safer and ensure compliance is at the forefront of our goals.
“We are proud to be a part of an organisation that continues to hold these standards nationally and continues to reassure our clients they are buying the highest standard of LV electrical solutions the market has to offer.”
