HISTORY OF OUR BUSINESS

The Early History of an Industry Leader

Looking back over 100 years on the activities of O’Donnell Griffin in Australia and South East Asia, one wonders what went through the minds of the two founders – Mr Frederick Tertius Squire O’Donnell and Mr Thomas Leslie Griffin – when they opened their electrical business in Sydney in 1906.

Street lighting in Sydney was still new, and electricity as a means of powering and driving machinery, offered the two entreprenuers a real opportunity to ride the electrical wave that was flowing into Australian industry. Their vision for O’Donnell Griffin then was to specialise in the installation of dynamos and generators for the industry. 

The business quickly developed a reputation for tackling the difficult and complex jobs and played an integral part in the development of Australian infrastructure and industry from the early days.  They played an active role in providing essential and often innovative electrical services to the various defence operations based in Australia during the second world war.  This involvement developed the company’s expertise and poised for the company for future growth.

Evolving to Support Industry Growth

Between the late forties and sixties O’Donnell Griffin expanded nationally.  Branches were established in the major centres in Queensland, Victoria, Western Australia and South Australia.

The early 60’s saw a renewed surge in Australia’s mining industry.  Exploration intensified, new minerals were found, export controls of iron ore were lifted.  O’Donnell Griffin forged a reputation for quality, reliability and innovation with today’s big names in mining.  O’Donnell Griffin were involved in most major new developments in the industry and the growth of the company tracked closely with the development of the resources industry as a whole.

The company’s first major international project was undertaken in 1971, at an iron ore treatment plant at Bougainville island in the Solomon Islands.  This was the largest project of it’s type in South East Asia at the time.  Other international projects followed thereafter.

O’Donnell Griffin Today

O’Donnell Griffin have continued to evolve over the years to develop key capabilities in specialist areas and have retained a leadership position in the electrical and communications industry.

Today O’Donnell Griffin is Australia’s partner of choice in many industry sectors as we meet our clients’ demands for the highest level of performance , quality and reliability ensuring efficient, continuous operation of their facilities.

In addition to major project developments, business critical electrical maintenance and service solutions keep O’Donnell Griffin’s customers operations functioning 24/7.