Excellence in Galvanizing
A local organisation launched the same year as the first manned Apollo mission is celebrating a big anniversary.
Edward Howell Galvanizers Ltd has been operating from its current site in Wednesfield for 50 years.
Having previously had a plant in Vincent Street, Birmingham, where Arena Birmingham now stands, the company moved to its current Watery Lane base in 1968 – the same year NASA’s Apollo 7 was sent into space and Led Zeppelin played their first ever gig.
Staff at the company are finalising plans for two days of celebrations to mark the occasion in style.
MP for Wolverhampton North East, Emma Reynolds will be among guests at a special celebration at the Watery Lane site on Friday 7th September while a family fun day, featuring a variety of attractions, will be held the following day for staff and their families.
General Manager Kevin Addiss, the fourth generation of his family to work for The Wedge Group, said: “We are delighted to be reaching our 50th anniversary at the site. The plant has benefitted from extensive investment over the years with a new production line added to create additional capacity along with future investment plans to enhance the high level of service we already offer our customers.
“There are just under 100 people working here at the site, with around a fifth of them having been here for more than a decade - which shows just how important staff retention and job satisfaction are to us.
"We also run an apprentice scheme to help pass knowledge down to the next generations and to provide opportunities for people in Wednesfield and surrounding areas.
“We’re hugely proud of our achievements over the past 50 years and look forward to seeing what the next 50 have in store for us.”
Ms Reynolds will join staff and customers of the company, which is part of Wedge Group Galvanizing Ltd, on the first day of celebrations, to be held on Friday 7th September.