A Black Country wire specialist that exports to more than 65 countries around the globe has been named as the region’s Manufacturing Champion. Brierley Hill-based
Alloy Wire International (AWI), which is an employee-owned company, beat off stiff competition from Addfield Environmental Systems and Voestalpine Metsec plc at last week’s
Express & Star Business Awards.
The company’s rapid growth and the ambitions of the young management team was praised by a high-profile judging panel of Alison Jukes (Express & Star), Michael Brooks and Lulu Loughlin (both Collins Aerospace), as well as its ability to supply a 62-strong range of exotic alloys to customers involved in critical automotive, aerospace, medical, nuclear and oil and gas projects.
A strong commitment to being carbon neutral was also highlighted, with AWI neutralising 500 tonnes of carbon every year by taking an active role in Certified Emission Reductions (CER) programmes. These also deliver spin-off benefits of supporting education, employment, ecology and clean water in remote countries.
AWI managing director Tom Mander was delighted with the win. He said: “This is the first time we’ve ever gone in for anything like this, so to win one of the big awards on the evening was a fantastic feeling. We are very passionate to have our home in the Black Country and to be named as its ‘Manufacturing Champion’ by the
Express and Star is a massive honour. Importantly, it reinforces the culture we have built and that is very much about our people, who all own a part of our business. This approach has helped us grow into a truly global supplier, with wire manufactured and treated in our region being sent as far away as Azerbaijan, Australia, Kuwait, Kazakhstan and India.”
AWI is one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of round, flat and profile wire, supporting more than 6,000 customers at home and abroad. Following a management buy-out 18 months ago, the company has delivered £17.9 million of sales, a near £5 million rise and £3 million above anticipated revenues.
The company received the
Manufacturing Champion of the Year award in front of 350 people in The Halls at Wolverhampton University.