In response to an upturn in business over the past few years, Merseyside subcontract machining company Wealdpark is to treble the size of its factory. The first phase of expansion, due to begin immediately, will add an extension a little larger than the 6000 sq ft unit it presently operates in St Helens. By the end of 2023, another 5000 sq ft unit is scheduled for completion on an adjacent plot that was purchased recently.

Mainly a precision turned parts subcontractor, the family owned and run firm operates two vertical machining centres and 15 sliding-head lathes on the shop floor, alongside six Miyano fixed-head turning centres from Citizen Machinery UK. The latest to arrive, in April 2022, was a Miyano ABX-64SYY, bringing to four the number of these 65 mm diameter bar capacity machines purchased since 2014. Also in use are 51 and 42 mm capacity models.

Together with father Jim and brother Steve, Phil Smith is a director and joint owner of Wealdpark. He says: “We’ve increased turnover by a quarter in the two years since the start of the pandemic and sales during each of the first five months of 2022 were at a record level compared with previous years. The production of parts for the hydraulic, pneumatic and yellow goods industries is particularly strong at the moment. We’re also active in the aerospace, automotive, electrical fastener, firefighting, military and temperature measurement sectors. This has given us the confidence to invest in new infrastructure and capacity to develop our business. Part of that strategy will be the continuing purchase of top-quality plant like Miyano lathes, which we’ve used since 2007.”
For further information www.citizenmachinery.co.uk