Circuit Supplies managing director Michael Fletcher has spent two decades working across Western Australia’s electrical and engineering sectors, from mining and oil and gas through to commercial construction, government infrastructure and energy projects.
Since founding Circuit Supplies in 2020, Mr Fletcher has grown the business from three employees to a team of 33, delivering electrical, communications, security and design services for government agencies, healthcare providers, education institutions, shopping centres and commercial developments across the state.
The growth has been underpinned by a combination of technical expertise, strong industry relationships and a willingness to adapt as the electrical sector undergoes one of its biggest transformations in decades.
When Mr Fletcher arrived in Western Australia from England in 2005, he could not have anticipated the opportunities that lay ahead. “I was a first-year apprentice from England when the boom hit in 2006 and I walked straight into Rio Tinto,” he said.
The opportunity provided a foundation that would shape his career. Over the next decade, Mr Fletcher progressed from apprentice electrician to high-voltage electrician, instrumentation technician and engineer, gaining experience across large-scale mining operations and critical infrastructure projects.
After leaving Rio Tinto, he moved into oil and gas before taking on management within the electrical contracting industry, including business development manager for electrical engineering company Nilsen. Along the way, he developed a strong understanding of both the technical and commercial sides of the sector.
One of the biggest lessons came from learning how to build relationships and win work.
"When I was at Nilsen, I pushed myself to go knock on the door and sell the business," Mr Fletcher said.
"It was quite a nerve-wracking thing to do, but it put my name personally out there and helped build relationships."
Those relationships would later prove invaluable when he launched Circuit Supplies.
The business secured a contract with WA Police in late 2020, opening the door to broader government work and helping establish the company’s reputation in the market.
Since then, Circuit Supplies has delivered projects for the Department of Justice, health providers, schools, childcare centres including Nido and Busy Bees, shopping centres and commercial developments throughout Western Australia.
Its growth has been rapid. By the end of its first financial year, Circuit Supplies had generated several million dollars in revenue. Staff numbers increased from three to 12 within its first year, before expanding further as the company secured larger projects and long-term contracts.
Today, the business provides electrical design, communications, security, power infrastructure and consultancy services, managing projects from initial design and approvals through to installation and commissioning.
“We do everything from the Western Power application through to the electrical, communications and security design,” Mr Fletcher said.
“We’re involved from the very start of the project.”
As the business has expanded, so too has the complexity of the industry in which it operates. The rise of electric vehicles, rooftop solar, battery technology, smart metering and renewable energy systems is reshaping how electrical infrastructure is designed, delivered and managed.
While Mr Fletcher sees significant opportunities emerging from the transition, he believes the pace of change is creating new challenges for contractors, developers and network operators.
“The industry has evolved very quickly,” he said. “Government grants and rebates have accelerated adoption, but the infrastructure hasn't necessarily kept pace.”
According to Mr Fletcher, growing demand for EV charging infrastructure, solar installations and power upgrades is placing increasing pressure on existing networks and contributing to delays in approvals and upgrades.
He believes the challenge is not a lack of ambition, but ensuring supporting infrastructure can keep pace with the transition.
Despite those constraints, Mr Fletcher remains optimistic about Australia’s position in renewables.
“We’ve moved very quickly in clean energy and electrification compared to many parts of the world,” he said.
Recognising the direction of the market, Circuit Supplies is positioning itself for the next phase of growth.
Mr Fletcher said the business was increasingly focused on opportunities in power generation, solar, smart metering and energy management, while continuing to build its engineering and consultancy capabilities.
“I’m looking at the power generation space and where clean energy is evolving,” he said. “I want to continue building the engineering consultancy side of the business as well.”
Alongside growth, Mr Fletcher remains passionate about developing the next generation of industry professionals.
As Western Australia’s technical representative for Master Electricians Australia, he regularly advocates on behalf of contractors on issues ranging from legislation and training to network infrastructure and industry standards.
Within Circuit Supplies, education remains a core focus. “Everyone gets additional training because the industry is always evolving. We’re huge on education,” he said.
His leadership philosophy is reflected in a simple question he asks his team: “How can we improve? That’s my slogan for every toolbox,” Mr Fletcher said. “I want people to walk a job at the end of the day and ask themselves how we can improve.”
The approach has helped the company build a culture focused on accountability, continuous improvement and long-term development.
Although Circuit Supplies has achieved significant growth in a relatively short period, Mr Fletcher is reluctant to describe the journey as complete.
“I'm not successful. I’m on the road to success,” he said.
It is a mindset that has guided him from apprentice electrician to business owner and continues to shape the company’s future direction.
As for the advice he offers aspiring entrepreneurs, it is characteristically straightforward. “I live by the phrase: love many, trust few, but always paddle your own canoe.”
For Mr Fletcher, independence, persistence and a commitment to continual improvement have been central to the success of Circuit Supplies so far – and remain the principles guiding its next chapter.
