FOLLOWING THE ENGINEERING COMPANY’S RECENT FLORIDA EXPANSION, WUNDERLICH-MALEC IS BRINGING ITS TURNKEY POWER SOLUTIONS TO MORE US CUSTOMERS THAN EVER BEFORE.
An Electric Power Distribution Opportunity
PROJECT MANAGED BY: JEREMY DAVIES
When Dan Gilbert joined Wunderlich-Malec (WM) in 1992, the engineering and architectural firm had a single office and around 35 employees. Today, 33 years later, Dan is one of three WM Vice Presidents of Operations, overseeing a vast footprint of 35+ US offices and over 650 employees.
Already a specialist in system integration and advanced engineering solutions for a diverse range of global industries, WM continues to grow. In 2024, the organisation achieved revenues of $275 million, and earlier this year, opened a brandnew manufacturing facility in Baldwin, Florida.
“Following experiences with food production, semiconductor plants, life science projects,
and powerplants, WM launched its manufacturing service offering for industrial control panels in the early 2000s,” Dan reports. “We then expanded into e-houses in Winslow, Maine, which was a major success. Around 2022, we looked to further capitalise on the e-house opportunity, identifying the Southeast region – and specifically, Baldwin, Florida – as an ideal location.”
We’re Redefining Electrical Power Distribution
We deliver turnkey power distribution systems with unmatched speed, quality and cost e iciency. Our innovative approach combines in-house professional engineering with equipment from leading manufacturers, all integrated within modular power enclosures built in our world-class fabrication facilities.
We provide comprehensive factory and site-tested systems, ensuring seamless integration with your local power infrastructure and the grid.
WM’s new 61,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Baldwin began production in June 2025. Designed for sustainability, the state-of-the-art site will support the organisation’s growing presence in the Modular Electrical Control Enclosure and Skid Fabrication market
“Our building is 112-feet long and we have room to construct four of the largest modulars that we build on each side of the facility, while still preserving a pathway down the centre,” Dan states. “It means we can use cranes to lift the large, heavy bases we’re constructing on the south end and move them to the north end for all the technical installation work. We’ve started out with some small panel fabrication as we work on getting our name out in the region, but we’re looking forward to Baldwin’s first large modulars that will really showcase what the facility can do and match our Maine fabrication facility.”
From its foothold in the Southeast, WM aims to provide its turnkey power solutions to new customers. The Baldwin facility has already been praised by local and national government officials for the impact it will have on expanding power distribution in the US.
“Our modular manufacturing business plays a key role in supporting the US electric grid,” Dan explains. “These activities previously brought in around 15% of our overall revenue, but expansion in Baldwin positions us to grow this number as we support the rising demand on the electric grid brought about by the proliferation of US data centers.” Partner with us for advanced, reliable, and fully integrated renewable energy power solutions designed for superior performance.
An instrumental factor in WM’s ability to establish itself in the e-house market has been the complete and integrated nature of the company’s services. WM can not only build e-houses with the necessary switchgear and protective relaying, but the business can also add significant value through its engineering expertise.
“We turn initial concepts into high-performing solutions,” Dan declares. “We perform the electrical design, civil & structural engineering, and testing & commissioning so that the building meets all specific requirements. It’s a true turnkey offering, so when the building arrives in the field, it is ready to take control on the grid – all our customers need to do is plug it in.”
COMPLETE E-HOUSE OFFERING
While WM’s complete e-house offering helps to differentiate the business in the field, the company’s innovative ownership structure sets it
Dan Gilbert, Vice Presidents of Operations, Wunderlich-Malec.
apart internally. Since 2012, WM has operated with a 100% Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), boosting the longterm prospects of both the company and its employees.
“ESOP organisations are federally tax-free on profits, which has enabled us to hold profits in the company, increasing our stock value for
employee shareholders and allowing us to invest in growth opportunities,” Dan points out.
“ESOP helped us build the capital for the Baldwin venture, and it remains a huge draw in recruitment and retention because it is effectively a parallel retirement plan that rewards our team for their role in WM’s success.”
An increased sense of connection and ownership, as well as clearer pathways for succession and longevity, are just some of the benefits felt across WM since the company’s ESOP journey began. In turn, this has helped to drive the company’s culture of quality and customer service, while also freeing up funds for the business to make targeted acquisitions. Perhaps most importantly, as an ESOP business, WM has felt
emboldened to trust its instincts, build upon its strengths, and seize new opportunities.
“Establishing the new facility in Baldwin was certainly a risk, but we really believe that our success in Winslow can be replicated,” Dan remarks.
“The US electrical market is surging at unprecedented rates due to the rise of AI and data centres, as well as the call for alternative, sustainable energy. We know that the work is going
to be there, and adding Baldwin to our ISO 9001 certified facility in Winslow will provide the costcompetitive quality that the industry needs.”
RAMPING UP
As Dan suggests, while the diverse range of activities in the WM orbit will continue, ramping up the company’s Baldwin facility will be a major priority over the months ahead.
“We currently have five employees at Baldwin, but we’re planning to add around 20 full-time team members over the next year,” Dan says. “As at Winslow, we will likely contract extra resources when needed, so we should have a maximum team of around 50 at peak production.”
Financially, WM would like to achieve a revenue of $8 million in 2025, increasing to north of $25 million over time, as is the target set by the Winslow site. In the longer-term, once Baldwin is fully established, there is
scope and desire within WM to introduce even more similar facilities around the country.
“In terms of a five-year plan, once Baldwin is sustainable, we will look at replicating the process in other US regions,” Dan reveals. “Texas, California, Maryland – these are all potential locations, and we have already begun strategic exploration of these areas. Demand for electricity in the United States is growing exponentially, so it’s very exciting to support that in Winslow, Baldwin, and beyond.”
