60th anniversary sparks celebrations at Wealdpark

The CNC machining of components to exacting customer specifications is the lifeblood of the UK manufacturing industry. However, not everyone can do it as successfully as Wealdpark Ltd, a St Helens based subcontract precision engineering company that’s celebrating an impressive 60 years in business.

Although supplying parts to a broad spread of industries, identifying a niche can pay real dividends for subcontractors seeking growth. Wealdpark has done exactly that with the electrical sector, producing parts for connectors, fuse gear and standby power equipment. It has two machines running 52 weeks a year producing parts for these applications. On a more general basis, the company serves sectors that extend from yellow goods and fluid power to fasteners and catering equipment.

Exporting is another string to the bow of any successful subcontract machinist. As well as delivering parts across the UK, Wealdpark currently supplies customers in mainland Europe and the United States – success that’s spurring major growth projects.

“Not so long ago we acquired the unit next door to expand the footprint of our modern facility and allow investment in additional machinery,” explains Phil Smith, Director of the 29-employee company. “By way of further expansion, planning approval is now in place to extend the original premises and replace the unit next door with a new facility.”

Turn for the better

The shop floor is currently home to 16 Star sliding-head lathes and six Miyano fixed-head lathes that produce parts from bar (up to 64 mm diameter) and billet (up to 200 mm diameter). Also present is a Hurco VMX 3+2 axis machining centre. Wealdpark regularly updates its capacity through ongoing investment programmes. Five new machines arrived in 2023.

Accredited to both the BS EN ISO9001 quality standard and BS EN ISO14001 environmental standard, the company has also been a proud member of the BTMA (British Turned Parts Manufacturers Association) since 2010. Phil Smith even stepped into the role of president in 2017-18, reflecting Wealdpark’s commitment to the engineering community and professional excellence.

“The information we get via the BTMA is invaluable, as are the networking opportunities,” he says. “I would never consider lapsing our membership.”

The family way

Founded in 1965, Wealdpark’s original owner sold to Phil Smith’s father (an employee of the business since 1968) in 1995. Phil, along with brother Steve, today runs a steady ship by nurturing a happy and rewarding workplace for his skilled staff. One employee, Ken Jones, has been at Wealdpark for 53 years, while shop foreman Joe Savage will reach 50 years of service in August. Although long-serving employees and low staff turnover are testament to the business, the brothers are also proactive about recruiting the next generation of engineers.

“A few years back I visited our local school, which had introduced engineering to its syllabus. We ended up taking on two school leavers, who we put through an apprenticeship in lean manufacturing run by the MTC in Liverpool, which they have now passed. Getting young people interested in engineering is key for our business and industry as a whole.”

Record revenues

Although somewhat surprised, Phil smith says the current market demand for subcontract machining services at Wealdpark is exceptionally high.

“After the election last year we expected a market downturn, but it’s gone the other way. We had our best ever February, while March was the best month in our history. Going to the most recent BTMA meeting, it seems many others are seeing the same – unexpectedly busy!”

Initiatives at Wealdpark moving forward include the introduction of solar panels that will help cut the company’s electricity bill by around a third. Adopting renewables is clearly key considering the high operating costs of a manufacturing business. Material prices represent another example.

“The best policy with material prices is honesty. Yes, if material prices spike, we have little choice but to raise our prices in turn, but we always lower them again if prices decrease. Customers appreciate our transparency and it reinforces our position as their trusted partner in precision engineering.”

As for now, the company is busy enjoying its 60-year anniversary. All staff and their partners were recently treated to a meal at an Italian restaurant in nearby Ormskirk. It was the same venue used for the firm’s 50^th anniversary 10 years ago. The taste of success is clearly proving addictive at Wealdpark.