12/10/2026
WES Trade Services. A new era. From where it all began to where we are today…
New look. New name. Same values. Same old-fashioned service.
Let us take you on a journey as to how we ended up here.
In August 2007, with a Triton ute and a whole heap of ambition, Widdowson Electrical Solutions Pty Ltd T/A WES Mackay, was started by Electrician Dirk Widdowson. Dirk is a born and bred Dysart local who completed his apprenticeship at Cooee Electrical in Dec 2004. He continued to work in the Bowen Basin for several years gaining experience in all areas from prep plants to high voltage testing and domestic work in between.
WES started off providing electrical services to private domestic clients, real estates, sugar mills and retirement villages. The team soon started to grow, employing an apprentice and a tradesman. In 2013 we moved into the air conditioning sector which saw the two trades work seamlessly together.
In April 2014, WES bought Aquarius Plumbing which added Plumbing and Gas Fitting to our already growing Electrical and Refrigeration service. Bringing four essential trades together under one roof was a game changer, allowing us to offer our clients greater convenience, streamlined service and one trusted team for all their trade needs. This milestone established WES Mackay Multitrades as Mackay’s original multitrade service provider, laying the foundation for the business we are today.
In December 2017, we moved from a backyard operation to 2/13 John Vella Drive, Paget. Being in Paget with more space gave us the opportunity to continue expansion with both tradespeople and administration staff, the ability to hold more stock and operate more efficiently. For almost a decade, this was our home.
In April 2020 saw the birth of WES’s sister company, Smoke Alarms Mackay. Cast your minds back to April 2020… yes the beginning of a worldwide pandemic! But we figured, if we could get this company off the ground during a time like this, it would be a successful business model. And that it is. During the past 6 years, we have issued nearly 35000 Smoke Alarm Compliance certificates ensuring complete smoke alarms safety throughout our region. In May of this year, we expanded our Smoke Alarm model by starting Smoke Alarms Whitsundays and we expect to see continued growth in the Whitsunday region.
At the beginning of 2026, another exciting milestone began for our WES and Smoke Alarms Mackay teams with the renovation of our new home at 2 John Vella Drive, Paget. Thanks to the fantastic work of Matthew Brady Projects, just a few months later we moved into our purpose-built facility, offering more than double the office and workshop space and plenty of room to grow for years to come.
With a new facility came the perfect opportunity for a fresh new look, and we're proud to introduce WES Trade Services! Our new name reflects who we are today and where we're heading, opening the door to new opportunities in Mackay and beyond.
With our team of 35, we're excited for what lies ahead, while continuing to deliver the same reliable, quality service you've come to know and trust.
We're incredibly grateful to everyone who has played a part in our journey so far, from the people who helped bring our new facility to life to our loyal clients, suppliers and hardworking team. Here’s to the next chapter of WES Trade Services!
