WEC Group, a key player in the UK's subcontract manufacturing sector, has begun construction on a new state-of-the-art, 60,000 sq ft heavy machining and nuclear fabrication facility in Blackburn. This new development marks a significant milestone in the Group's ongoing expansion strategy and cements its position as the premier subcontract manufacturing business in the UK.
The new division, WEC Heavy Machining & Nuclear Fabrication aims to become one of the largest subcontract machining facilities in Europe. Located adjacent to the company's existing WEC Machining facility as well as the Group’s recently inaugurated Apprentice Academy, this new purpose-built development “will support the UK's industrial capabilities in key sectors such as nuclear, defence, offshore, and general engineering”.
Steve Fitzpatrick, CEO of Machining at WEC Group said the £10m ($12.4m) investment in WEC Heavy Machining & Nuclear Fabrication “underscores our ongoing commitment to adding value to our customers’ supply chains and this consolidates our position in the UK’s number 1 subcontract manufacturing company". He added: "With this new facility, we are not only expanding our capacity but also enhancing our overall ability to deliver turnkey solutions for large and oversized projects."
The facility will be equipped with six large CNC machining centres, capable of handling components up to 20 metres in length and 5 metres in diameter, significantly expanding the Group’s existing capabilities, already in place within the group’s existing Blackburn and Darwen facilities.
Steve Hartley, Group Managing Director, commented during the groundbreaking ceremony, "This expansion is a pivotal part of our strategy to maintain and extend our leadership in the subcontract manufacturing industry. We are proud to invest in not only our company's future but also in the economic growth of Blackburn and the wider region."
WEC Heavy Machining & Nuclear Fabrication facility is expected to create 60 new jobs including 10 additional machining apprentices, further supporting the local community and strengthening the skilled workforce trained at WEC’s Apprentice Academy.
Image: Steve Hartley, WEC Group’s managing director and Steve Fitzpatrick, CEO of WEC Machining break ground on the new facility
