At Washington Metalworks, we’re a team only interested in looking forwards and investing in the future. But sometimes, it’s worth a quick look back, if only to appreciate how far you’ve come.
“With over 35 years of industry that drives us forwards. We’re committed to continually improving our performance across all aspects of business, which comes hand in hand with investing in the latest technology and the best team. For us, our plant and people come together to provide an un-rivalled service that’s never satisfied with substandard results.”
– Paul McGowan, Commercial Director
Washington Metalworks – Timeline of Investment
- 2004 – Relocation from Washington site, 30,000 square foot facility to Gateshead Site 98,000 square foot.
- 2007 – Major Investment to the tune of £1.1m in Trumpf Laser Cutting Equipment.
- 2009 – Introduction to the business of Finn Power Multi Turret Punching System.
- 2011 – Factory Extension of 11,500 square foot added to the site to cope with company growth.
- 2012 – Turnover exceeds £10m.
- 2013 – February 2013 was the year that we invested over a million pounds to acquire a 30,000-square foot unit, designed to house our new paint plant. It was the latest addition to our growing on-site facilities, joining our 120,000-square foot building that encompassed our shot blasting, wet and powder coating unit of the business.
With our newly dedicated plant and capability to wet paint sheet metal fabrications with the latest Wet Spray Technology, this in-house facility helped us to keep total control of our product and projects. Automated online with 9 stage pre-treatment and reciprocators, we’re able to ensure panel work consistency and continual quality of paint thickness, scratch and cure testing.
We’re very proud that – without dependence on 3rd party providers – we’re able to maintain the original Washington Metalworks standards that we were founded on back in 1985.
- 2015 – New Gema Paint line £1m investment completed and running. Our paint plant now consists of a paint shop manager, 2 team leaders and 22 paint shop operatives covering dayshift and nightshift.
- 2016 – Formation of company board of directors to strategically drive the business forward.
- 2017 – Introduction new ERP Project which will run continually for 24 months.
Investment Programme
In 2017, we commenced a 2-year Investment programme worth £4m, which has and continues to include the following:
- 2017- x2 1m Trumpf Press Brakes
- 2018 – x5 2m Trumpf Press Brakes
- x3 3m Trumpf Press Brakes
- x2 Haegar Bush Insertion Machines
- x2 8kw Fibre Laser Machines
- 2019 – x1 Trumpf Punch Laser Combination Machine
- x1 Trumpf Punch 5000 Automated Punching System
- x1 Stopa Automated Sheet Storage System
- Coming Soon – Global Shop Solutions ERP Software 08.07.19
- Qualification of Rail Welding Accreditation for BSEN 15085-2
“At Washington Metalworks, we pride ourselves on the high level of quality we provide to our customers. We strongly believe this is a combination of our team’s unfailing commitment to their trade and our ability to take projects from concept to completion without a reliance on 3rd party providers. With the investment of new equipment, we are now able to offer increased capacity to suit all our customers’ needs. We’re extremely proud of how far we’ve come and are, as ever, excited for what the future holds.”Graeme Wales, Commercial Manager
If you’re interested in moving your business forward, we’d love to hear from you. Give us a call on 0191 469 4466 or drop us an e-mail at contact@wmwgroup.co.uk.
