Willenhall factory forging ahead after £1m expansion
An expansion scheme costing more than £1 million which promises to safeguard the future of a historic Willenhall factory and create new jobs has been completed.
Two new forge buildings have been built at WH Tildesley and the shop floor area has been extended, making room for future growth. The firm has also increased capacity by expanding the parts it supplies to the aerospace industry. The regeneration scheme, which is expected to create up to eight new roles to add to a workforce of around 50, began in 2011.
The company, at Clifford Works Ltd in Bow Street, supplies the aerospace, oil, motorsport and pharmaceutical industries and has been running more than 130 years. The regeneration scheme involved refurbishing and rebedding all forge hammers using the latest damping technology to minimise vibration.
WH Tildesley spokesman Phil Hobley said: "We now have a thoroughly modern manufacturing facility.
"The improvements provide better working conditions and help to ensure we meet the latest environmental standards.
"The work flow through the factory is improved and the increase in available shop floor area means that we have the option to install additional production capacity to accommodate future growth."
The company has also started shipments of another forged and machined valve body to the aerospace industry.
The component is forged from CZ115 brass before being extensively machined in the company's in-house machine shop.
The finished valve body is fitted to the Hawker 125 aircraft, where it helps to regulate the emergency oxygen supply.
Mr Hobley added: "This project helps to continue the steady growth we have seen with our aerospace customers. Obviously, to supply such a critical component into this industry means that the quality of our product has to be exceptional.
"Our customer appreciates that he can get the part forged, machined and finished to his high standards all under one roof and with a single point of contact."
The firm has taken on three apprentices in the past year and recruitment for more roles will begin as demand increases.
The firm originally started out in blacksmithing and engineering when it was launched in Willenhall in the 1870s.
But it has built up a reputation in the forgings and pressings industry with links to Europe and America.
