Our Story
LEGACY
OUR STORY
At MATelec Australia, innovation matters, but what matters most is trust, understanding, and the confidence our customers place in us.
1973 - PRESENT
MATelec AUSTRALIA HISTORY
Family-owned and proudly Australian Made accredited, MATelec Australia brings more than 50 years of expertise in delivering dependable electrical control solutions. From humble beginnings in South Africa in the 1970s, our commitment to quality products and exceptional service laid the foundation for what MATelec Australia is today. Built on quality and trust, our legacy continues through long-standing partnerships with customers who rely on us for dependable performance. Because at MATelec Australia, we believe happy people are our future.
HUMBLE BEGINNINGS WITH A BOLD VISION
Founded by Bruce Arnot in South Africa, MAT-a-Door begins in a garage supplying door seals, PPE, and hardware. Driven by a passion for exceptional service, the business quickly grows.
A MAJOR STEP FORWARD: EXPANDING THE ELECTRICAL OFFERING
Matador Sales secures the Switch King agency, marking a major move into electrical wholesale and power distribution solutions, while also expanding its electrical range, importing and distributing high-quality Hole Saws and Tungsten Halogen tubes from Japan, and precision tap and die sets from the UK.
A NEW CHAPTER BEGINS: MATelec IS BORN
Bruce launches MATelec Distributors, selling the Matador name and the hardware division to focus solely on the electrical sector, marking the beginning of a new chapter with the birth of MATelec.
BACKYARD BEGINNINGS WITH A BIGGER PURPOSE
MATelec begins manufacturing cable clips and glands in an outbuilding with its first injection moulding machine. As the business grows, so does its impact, partnering with disadvantaged communities to provide meaningful work, assembling and packing moulded products. Three more machines soon follow, expanding capacity and purpose.
INNOVATION BEGINS IN-HOUSE: LIGHTING THE WAY FORWARD
MATelec launches its first proprietary electrical products including LightTronic twilight switches, Floatronic float switches, and Scorpion motion sensors, followed by the addition of rugged outdoor lighting solutions such as Centurion, Galaxy, Emperor, and Mirage polycarbonate fittings. To support this growth, MATelec moves into a larger facility equipped to scale with bigger machines.
A NEW HOME IN REGIONAL VICTORIA
The family relocates to regional Victoria, with Richard and his family putting down roots in Shepparton.
MATelec AUSTRALIA IS BORN
Richard officially launches MATelec Australia, initially offering a limited range of products, including cable accessories, float switches, and Day/Night (Twilight) switches.
DROUGHT SPARKS INNOVATION
As Victoria faces a major drought and residential outdoor water use is restricted, demand for greywater solutions surges. MATelec Australia is approached by a customer of float switches to create a controller for greywater pumps, prompting the team, to use its skills in electronic design, to develop the first electronic pump controller, enabling irrigation systems to efficiently and compliantly, use stored greywater to water garden beds.
CONTROL SOLUTIONS TAKES OFF
MATelec Australia moves into new premises, and commences in-house, production of Pump Controllers, and launches a new division: Control Solutions.
HYDRO INNOVATION BEGINS WITH FPC RANGE
MATelec Australia launches the FPC range of pump control products, including the APC5 and ME-90, marking the beginning of its innovative Hydro range.
THE LAUNCH OF THE HYDRO RANGE
From the launch of the Hydro range, MATelec Australia focuses on smart, fit-for-purpose innovation, shifting the market from relay logic to intelligent electronic control, and going on to launch products such as:
- HydroTOUCH (c. 2015) - intuitive touchscreen interface multi-pump control
- HydroWHIZ (c. 2020) - smarter sensing and enhanced capability
- HydroSTART (c. 2023) - durable, efficient pump control
100 STRONG: A REGIONAL SUCCESS STORY
MATelec Australia hits a major milestone. 100 employees, becoming a significant employer in the Goulburn Valley.
AUSTRALIA MADE ACCREDITATION
MATelec Australia’s pump control products are certified to carry the Australian Made logo, a trusted mark of genuine Aussie products.
20 YEARS STRONG
Marking two decades of growth, innovation, and commitment to quality, MATelec Australia has evolved into a trusted manufacturer of reliable electrical control solutions. This era reflects the dedication of our people, the strength of our partnerships, and a shared commitment to continuous improvement.
50 YEARS OF THE MATelec LEGACY
Fifty years on, MATelec has transformed from a small South African operation into a respected Australian manufacturer. This milestone reflects decades of technical expertise, product reliability, and strong industry relationships that continue to shape the brand today.
CERTIFIED QUALITY, EVERY STEP OF THE WAY
MATelec Australia achieves ISO:9001 Certification, underscoring its commitment to exceptional quality.
IOT ERA BEGINS: PROPITECT LAUNCHES
Launch of Propitect; marking the start of MATelec Australia's advancement into the IoT space in Control & Automation Solutions.
ISO:14001 & ISO:45001 CERTIFICATION ACHIEVED
MATelec Australia achieves ISO:14001 (Environmental Management Systems) and ISO:45001 (Occupational Health & Safety Management Systems) certification, formalising our commitment to responsible environmental practices and workplace health and safety.
