The 1950s

• John Coyne Snr pioneered the revolutionary grooved and light sole plate on domestic clothes irons. Reducing the weight required to iron efficiently, these grooves carried steam across the ironing surface of clothes.
• This design was patented in his name on 2 October 1956. Adding to his many clever and innovative ideas.

The 1960s

• John Coyne Snr inspired his three sons –Anthony, John, and Patrick –  to follow a career in engineering. Anthony completed an apprenticeship at Lorimier Contacts and further studies as a mechanical technician and production engineer. John attained a Diploma of Mechanical Engineering, and Patrick completed an apprenticeship at Ogden Industries and gained a Mechanical Engineering Certificate. This created the basis for the beginning of WASCA in 1964 in a new family-built factory on Booloora Road, Springvale. The father and three sons set out the tooling and processes needed to carry the business forward.

The 1970s

• With two factory extensions needed to facilitate growth, the company’s range increased to include standard washers, electrical cup terminals, pressed nuts, and metal pressings for the electrical appliance industries.

The 1980s

• By the late 1980s, WASCA outgrew the Springvale premises and the brothers constructed a purpose-built facility in Rowville, Victoria.

The 1990s

• Further growth and new challenges emerged with Asian countries entering the Australian market. The Rowville premises doubled to make way for an import strategy. This required the store and dispatch to be enlarged and set up as a fully functioning, standalone facility in the next-door building. This was managed by Kristian Coyne – John Coyne Jnr’s eldest son – as operations manager, together with long-time employee Paul Williams. Managing and assisting the development of a computer system to monitor and control this facility was vital in the continued growth of the business. Stock control, inventory, and overseas ordering were also pivotal.
• The production facility transformed into a specialised custom manufacturer to offset the commodity product moving to imports.

The 2000s

• To assist the growing complexity and volume of work needed to administer this new business phase, Darren Walker of CPA was appointed WASCA chief financial officer. This new direction of the business changed the manufacturing accent from standard product to customised production and development.
• Anthony’s son Chris joined WASCA in 2000 to help this new and complex manufacturing footprint, bringing experience from email industries encompassing Dorf, Lockwood as well as working for AI Automotive. He is a qualified engineer specialising in press manufacturing, robotics, fabrication and welding, hydraulics, and pneumatics.
• In 2006, Chris’ brother Daniel joined WASCA coming from a metallurgical background. He had worked in automotive and industrial design for companies such as A.W Bell and Electrolux Design Centre.
• WASCA enjoyed its largest growth in custom component manufacturing.

The 2010s

• The company opened interstate warehouses in Queensland and Western Australia to service wider industries around the country.
• Chris and Daniel implemented an updated ERP/CRM system to fast track orders.
• WASCA increased production capacity through technology with the addition of WaterJet and Plasma cutting.
• The brother’s secured partnerships with key overseas manufacturers and worked tirelessly to support their valuable customer base.

The 2020s

• Now, Chris and Daniel – and the growing WASCA team – are highly sought after by national construction, services, and mining industries for their high-quality standard and custom componentry.