B. E. Wedge came into existence in the mid 1850s soon after the new galvanizing process was brought to the Black Country region from France. Wolverhampton and the Black Country were part of the Industrial Revolution and played a major role in the production of iron and the development of the hot dip galvanizing process. The few records that remain prior to the turn of the century show that John Wedge was galvanizing in Willenhall in 1869 and that the business was established on the present site in 1876.

 

There is evidence of steady progress and some diversification along the way but it was not really until the Chairmanship of Peter Wedge, that a formal plan for growth and acquisition was put into place. This included investments both at home and in South Africa. Expansion was by specialization using the best available equipment and the inherent skill of the workforce.

Essentially a service industry and therefore not, a direct exporter, possibly more than 30% of the material Wedge galvanizes for its customers finds its way overseas. Consequently, Wedge Group sees considerable advantages to being in Europe. Investment returns aside, there are great benefits to be made in the exchange of ideas and experience in all disciplines of the business.

The Group now employs 700 people and has an expansionist outlook. It keeps a watchful eye for likely acquisitions both in the UK and Europe whilst maintaining a steady level of investment in hot dip galvanizing plant and equipment. Currently there are 15 galvanizing subsidiaries strategically placed in Scotland and the North, the East and West Midlands, South Wales, East Anglia, Essex and across the South of England from London to Devon.