WEC invests £10m in new Blackburn operation

By Ged Henderson

16 Apr 2024

Wec Heavy Large Machining Photo Breaking The Ground

Lancashire headquartered WEC Group has started work on the construction of a new £10m heavy machining and nuclear fabrication plant on Blackburn’s Walker Park.

Once open it will be the largest facility of its kind in Europe and is set to create 60 new jobs.

The 60,000 sq ft state-of-the-art plant also marks a significant milestone in the group’s ongoing expansion strategy. WEC says it will also cement its position as “the premier subcontract manufacturing business in the UK”.

The new facility is being built next to the existing WEC Machining facility and its recently inaugurated apprentice academy.

The purpose-built development will support the UK’s industrial capabilities in key sectors such as nuclear, defence, offshore, and general engineering.

Steve Fitzpatrick, chief executive of machining at WEC Group, said: “Our £10m investment in WEC Heavy Machining and Nuclear Fabrication underscores our ongoing commitment to adding value to our customers’ supply chains and this consolidates our position in the UK’s number one subcontract manufacturing company.

“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 scale and precision of our new equipment are set to transform the subcontracting landscape, offering unparalleled services in the UK.”

The facility will be equipped with six large CNC machining centres, capable of handling components up to 20 meters in length and five meters in diameter, significantly expanding the group’s existing capabilities at its plants in Blackburn and Darwen.

 

Steve Hartley, group managing director, said: “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.”

The company says the facility is expected to create 60 new jobs including 10 additional machining apprentices.

WEC Group has been at the forefront of the UK metal fabrication and engineering industry for more than 40 years.

With 900 staff and nine manufacturing sites in Lancashire, Merseyside, Yorkshire and the West Midlands, the company is made up of 15 specialist divisions spread across over 600,000 sq ft of production facilities.

Steve Hartley and Steve Fitzpatrick are pictured here breaking the ground for the new development.

Enjoyed this? Read more from Ged Henderson

Latest news

1

Call to recognise the ‘Now Generation’ of Lancashire leaders Sub36 event

Call to recognise the ‘Now Generation’ of Lancashire leaders

15 Jul 2025

2

Maya Ellis MP hails A582 upgrade funding as major step forward in tackling transport chaos Maya Ellis MP photo

Maya Ellis MP hails A582 upgrade funding as major step forward in tackling transport chaos

15 Jul 2025

3

TSS announce leadership appointments to drive continued growth James Austin, Alistair Bradley and Michael Collum

TSS announce leadership appointments to drive continued growth

15 Jul 2025

4

Date revealed for opening of entries for Red Rose Awards 2026 Red Rose Awards 2025

Date revealed for opening of entries for Red Rose Awards 2026

14 Jul 2025

5

Northcote celebrates marketing award for the 25th anniversary of Culinary Festival Obsession Northcotes winning awards

Northcote celebrates marketing award for the 25th anniversary of Culinary Festival Obsession

14 Jul 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
LBV123 July/August Launch Event
Lancashire Business View magazine launch
Networking
16 Jul 2025

LBV123 July/August Launch Event

Burnley College University Courses Building, Burnley, BB12 0AN

08:30 - 10:30

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025
BEC 315 X 315 Px
Networking
25 Sep 2025

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025

Blackpool Football Club, Blackpool, FY1 6HX

08:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

Shaping Preston's future by remembering its past
1750160034867.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
16 Jul 2025 - 16 Jul 2025

Shaping Preston's future by remembering its past

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 20:30

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Hub Networking
17 Jul 2025 - 17 Jul 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Mytton Fold, Langho, BB6 8AB

11:30 - 14:15

Chamber Summer BBQ
LBV Hub Social
17 Jul 2025 - 17 Jul 2025

Chamber Summer BBQ

The Borough, Dalton Square, Lancaster, LA1 1PP

17:30 - 20:00

BNI presents Lancashire Speed Networking
1.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
17 Jul 2025 - 17 Jul 2025

BNI presents Lancashire Speed Networking

Chorley Football Club, Chorley, PR7 3DU

16:00 - 19:00

Preston Tech Connection: Web3 is Dead. Or is It?
July Longer Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
29 Jul 2025 - 29 Jul 2025

Preston Tech Connection: Web3 is Dead. Or is It?

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 19:30

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July
Longer July Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
31 Jul 2025 - 31 Jul 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – August 14th
Navy--Event Tile.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
14 Aug 2025 - 14 Aug 2025

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – August 14th

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Burnley, BB11 1JG

09:00 - 12:00

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Header (24).png.png
LBV Hub Networking
21 Aug 2025 - 21 Aug 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Mytton Fold, Langho, BB6 8AB

11:30 - 14:15

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV122 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin