A technique is provided for manufacturing a stator of an electrical machine, such as a motor. The stator is formed by using thin end plates or laminations that are attached to each other by rods around a group of laminations. The end plates maintain pressure on the laminations. Within the laminations, slots extend thru the length of the stator. A slot liner is placed within each slot as an insulating layer between coils and the laminations. Furthermore, an insulating end piece or lamination is positioned within each end plate and adjacent to the laminations to provide support to the slot liners that extend beyond the laminations. The insulating end lamination supports the slot liners during the winding processes to prevent the slot liners from damage. In addition to providing support, the insulating end lamination is able to provide extra insulation between the coils, laminations, and the end plate. Moreover, by having thin end plates, the motor may be wound by automated processes to reduce the cost of manufacture.