VanTran Transformers by Forgent is setting new standards for modern transformer manufacturers
With over 60 years of experience, VanTran Transformers by Forgent (VanTran) is a US-based manufacturer of custom-engineered, liquid-filled transformers that serve a wide range of markets from utilities and industrial plants to renewables, oil and gas, mining, and data centers. Leaning into emerging macrotrends like the electrification of infrastructure, renewable expansion, grid modernization and data center growth, VanTran has recently expanded its Waco, Texas, facility to meet increased demand while maintaining high levels of craftsmanship and responsiveness. In August 2025, VanTran became part of Forgent, joining MGM Transformers, States Manufacturing and PwrQ in providing data center, manufacturing and utility customers with end-to-end power infrastructure solutions they can design, engineer and integrate across the full power stack from a single partner. Under Forgent, VanTran helps bridge the gap between custom builds and industrial scale with the ability to move fast and adapt quickly, while providing the quality assurance and engineering depth customers expect.
“Our philosophy is simple: build transformers that are robust, reliable, and resilient enough to perform in the toughest environments,” opens VanTran President Ty
Gayeski. “That’s why our designs use sealed-tank construction, welded covers, and always meet or exceed IEEE and ANSI standards. Our flexibility and speed differentiate us as we do not offer a one-size-fits-all catalog. Every transformer we build is engineered to meet the specific needs of the project, whether it’s handling the heat of a refinery, the corrosive conditions of a coastal site, or the continuous load demands of a data center.”
VanTran’s product portfolio includes a complete line of liquid-filled and custom-engineered transformers designed for diverse environments, voltages, and applications. The company offers: padmount transformers for commercial, industrial and utility settings; substation transformers to link transmission and distribution networks; multi-tap or rental transformers; auto-transformers; grounding transformers to provide a neutral grounding point for ungrounded systems like wind farms or microgrids; dry type transformers; submersible and vault transformers; retrofit and replacement transformers; and polemount transformers used in rural or overhead distribution systems.
“We’ve been building custom liquid-filled transformers in the USA for more than 60 years, and each unit is built-to-order to meet IEEE, ANSI, NEMA, and CSA standards, with flexible options for materials, cooling methods, enclosures, and electrical configurations,” Ty says. “Our customer base has diversified significantly over the years and now includes industrial facilities, renewable projects, and data centers.
“Our industrial and manufacturing customers rely on us for transformers that can handle continuous duty in harsh environments, including high temperatures, vibration, and corrosive conditions. For oil, gas and petrochemical applications, our sealed and corrosion-resistant transformers power compressor stations, refineries and offshore platforms. Renewable energy is a huge growth area where we supply padmount and grounding transformers for solar, wind and BESS sites, designed to handle the unique challenges of inverter-based power systems. In data centers and AI infrastructure, we’ve seen strong demand for medium-voltage liquid-filled transformers that deliver quiet, efficient, and highly reliable performance on tight timelines.
“Beyond that, we also support temporary power, mining, transit, and port electrification – anywhere that needs rugged, fast-deploying or custom-engineered power solutions,” he adds. “What ties it all together is our engineering flexibility. Every transformer we build is made-to-order, and it’s all manufactured right here in Waco. That local control, combined with the support of the Forgent family, lets us deliver the reliability and speed our customers count on.”
Considering VanTran’s recent acquisition by Forgent, we’re keen to ask Ty about the changes and developments VanTran has experienced. “The acquisition has really accelerated our growth and expanded our capabilities in a meaningful way,” he states. “VanTran has always been known for our custom-engineered, liquid-filled transformers and fast, customer-focused approach, but by joining the Forgent family, we’ve gained access to a much larger manufacturing network, broader engineering resources, and complementary product lines, especially on the dry type and cast-resin side. Together, we’re positioned to offer one of the broadest transformer portfolios in North America, from low-voltage dry type and cast-resin units to larger liquid-filled substation transformers, all designed and built in North America.
“Forgent brings leading North American transformer manufacturers together, aligning shared strengths in engineering, manufacturing, and customer service to meet the country’s growing power infrastructure needs,” Ty shares. “VanTran continues to operate as the same customer-focused company, but we now benefit from Forgent’s combined expertise, engineering depth, manufacturing footprint, and supply chain strength.”
Alongside this acquisition, VanTran has made significant investments in terms of capacity and automation. “Our Waco facility is undergoing an expansion that will make it one of the largest liquid-filled transformer plants in the US,” Ty explains. “At 450,000 square feet, the site is expected to unlock over $1 billion in annual production capacity and create 700 skilled jobs over the next five years across automation, engineering, and operations.
“As a purpose-built facility for modern manufacturing, we can maintain the custom engineering agility we’re known for while operating at far greater volume. That means more US-made transformers delivered faster, with the reliability our customers expect, which is crucial as we scale to meet rising demand from data centers, renewable energy projects, and utility grid upgrades. As part of the Forgent family, we can also align our liquid-filled capacity with the group’s wider portfolio to serve more end-to-end projects.
“Digital transformation has been a major part of our expansion strategy,” Ty continues. “The facility in Waco was designed as a Smart Factory environment where we can integrate automation, real-time data collection, and advanced analytics into every part of the production process. By providing our teams with instant visibility into material flow, production status, and quality metrics, we can identify potential bottlenecks or variations before they impact output. We’ve also introduced digital testing and traceability systems, so every transformer has a full digital record with data fed directly into our quality and reliability programs to help us continuously improve performance.”
Sustainability is another key pillar of VanTran’s operations, especially within its manufacturing processes. “Sustainability isn’t just about building transformers that last; it’s about making them responsibly,” Ty says. “We place a strong emphasis on recycling and material recovery, with nearly all the steel, copper and aluminum we use being either recycled content or recovered and reused from our own production process. The new Waco facility features closed-loop waste handling, with everything from oil reclamation to packaging materials managed with minimal environmental impact. Our transformers themselves are DOE 2029 efficiency compliant, operating at the highest energy efficiency standards to help customers minimize their carbon footprints. As we manufacture domestically, we naturally benefit from reduced freight emissions and supply chain waste.”
Heading into 2026, Ty shares that next year looks like a defining year for VanTran as it shifts from a growth phase into full-scale execution. “Our growth strategy is built around three core priorities: expanding capacity, diversifying our product portfolio, and strengthening our customer partnerships,” he states. “The goal isn’t just more volume but smarter scale, higher quality, and deeper market penetration. We’ll be activating more smart-factory capabilities next year, with a focus on production yield, quality consistency and high uptime.”
“Following the expansion to our Waco facility, our new 450,000-square-foot site will begin ramping up its workflow, enabling us to fill more orders faster and reduce lead times in key sectors. As part of the Forgent portfolio, we have enhanced engineering bandwidth to explore hybrid and cross-technology solutions, especially in new verticals where demand is increasing, such as grid modernization, energy storage, microgrids, and mission-critical infrastructure.”
Further afield, VanTran will continue to build on this momentum, growing responsibly, strengthening capabilities and deepening partnerships across the industry. “Our focus will remain on innovation, quality, and reliability, but we’ll also be looking to expand our footprint, workforce, and technical expertise to better serve customers in emerging sectors,” Ty concludes. “We want to be recognized not just for the volume we produce, but for the value and trust we deliver as a US-based manufacturer that combines engineering excellence, speed, and sustainability. Ultimately, our vision is simple: to keep powering progress, supporting our communities and setting the benchmark for what a modern transformer manufacturer can be.”