‘Firing on all cylinders’ in the Black Country

From left to right: West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker, Bowers & Jones directors James Owen, Nicola Owen & Jane Sommerville with Lord Lieutenant Derrick Anderson

Bilston-based metal-forming equipment manufacturer Bowers & Jones Ltd last week celebrated a remarkable double milestone, marking its 70th anniversary alongside the official presentation of a King's Award for Enterprise in the international trade category.

Established in 1955 by Aurther Bowers and Doug Jones who spotted an opportinity to acquire a manual lathe and set up a workshop in Wetherby, the company has undergone significant changes in ownership over the years. Most notably, in 2020, it was acquired through a management buy-out (MBO) by managing director Jane Sommerville, and directors Nicola Owen and James Owen.

In her speech at the ceremony, Jane said: “Like steel, we have adapted without losing our strength, we have modernised without compromisng our integrity, and today Bowers and Jones continues to reflect the very qualities that make steel so remarkable, durability, precision and the confidence to carry the weight of progress.”

Strategic transformation
Under her leadership, the company has undergone a strategic transformation and invested heavily in its machining capabilities to future-proof the next 70 years. The company has had to face many challenges along the way, the first one being a relocation to its current premises during the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as UK inflationary pressures, energy price spikes, and most recently US tarrifs.

However, with an unshakable belief that permeates through Bowers & Jones, the company acquired a CUT E 600 wire erosion system in 2022 to enhance its ability to produce complex geometries with micron-level precision, and more recently, made a £400,000 investment — partially funded by a £50,000 UK Shared Prosperity Fund grant — in a DN Solutions’ ram-type vertical turning lathe from Mills CNC (pictured left), which has significantly increasing throughput and reduced lead times on large-diameter tooling.

The firm’s core competencies lie in the production of high-tolerance components such as spindles, circular knives, straightening rolls, and custom shafts. These are engineered to exacting specifications using advanced CNC machining centres and CAD/CAM software, ensuring compatibility with high-speed rolling mills and demanding production environments. Bowers & Jones also offers refurbishment services for worn tooling, extending the lifecycle of critical components and reducing downtime for customers.

The celebration event, held on 19 September at the company's facility on Oxford Street Industrial Estate, brought together industry partners, local dignitaries, and stakeholders to honour seven decades of engineering excellence — Machinery Market’s online editor John Hunter was in attendance. One of the highlights of the afternoon was the official presentation of the prestigious King's Award for Enterprise by the Lord Lieutenant for the West Midlands Derrick Anderson, recognising the company's achievements in exporting to international markets.

West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker also attended the event and delivered a keynote speech celebrating Bowers and Jones’s contribution to the region’s manufacturing heritage.

Collaborative approach
Under the stewardship of managing director Jane and directors Nicola and James, the business has experienced remarkable growth since the MBO. The company has increased turnover from £2.6 million in 2021 to £4.8 million in 2024, with 80% of revenue generated from exporting components to the USA, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, and Mexico.

Bowers & Jones operates within a tightly regulated quality framework. Its engineering team works closely with customers to develop tooling solutions tailored to specific material profiles, rolling speeds, and dimensional tolerances. This collaborative approach, combined with a deep understanding of metallurgical behaviour and roll dynamics, positions the company as a trusted partner in the global metal-forming sector.

Jane continued: “Reaching our 70th anniversary is a testament to the dedication of our team and the trust our customers place in us. Receiving the King's Award for International Trade makes this milestone even more special. It recognises not just our export success, but our commitment to British manufacturing excellence on the global stage. As we look to the future, we remain focused on innovation, quality, and building lasting partnerships with customers around the world.”

West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker said: “Congratulations to Bowers & Jones on 70 years of manufacturing in the Black Country and on being recognised for their global contribution with the King’s Award. The company’s success over seven decades is an inspiration to the many small and medium-size businesses across our region, showing how to thrive, grow, and create jobs. By helping such businesses unlock the Government-backed investment they need, we can generate the momentum needed to grow our region’s economy at pace. That is why I am focused on making sure our business community can access the funding and expert advice they need to get firing on all cylinders.”

Bowers & Jones has received numerous accolades in recent years, including Made in the Midlands Export Business of the Year, Express & Star Small Business of the Year, and has also won Black Country Chamber manufacturing and engineering awards.

The King's Award for Enterprise is the UK's most prestigious business award, recognising outstanding achievement five areas — international trade, innovation, sustainable development, and promoting opportunity through social mobility. royal seal of approval, instantly elevates a business’s reputation. As winners, the directors were invited to a Royal reception at Windsor Castle in June hosted by King Charles, where they were able to network with other top business leaders and meet other members of the Royal Family.