Excellence in Galvanizing
Wedge Group Galvanizing Ltd has cut the ribbon on brand new headquarters.
We’ve renovated an historic former school in Willenhall – just yards from the site on which the company was founded nearly 150 years ago.
The multi-million pound development project, which delivers modern offices and facilities for more than 20 staff, was formally opened in an official ceremony at the beginning of December.
Chris Woolridge, managing director of Wedge Group Galvanizing Ltd, said: “Our new headquarters are on the very street where the foundations of our business began.
“The former Central School has been derelict for more than a decade, but our investment gives this historic site a brand new lease of life and sees it become a revered landmark in the community once again.
“Next year, we’ll celebrate 150 years since John Wedge began a galvanizing operation in Willenhall and what better way to do that than by continuing his legacy in new headquarters.”
The building features an iconic clock tower that has been refurbished and protected as part of a redevelopment carried out under the ‘Considerate Constructors’ scheme, with workers taking care to minimise disturbance on the local community.
Civic dignitaries, including Walsall North MP Eddie Hughes as well as the architect behind the design of the new building, were among more than 20 guests at the opening ceremony.
Mr Hughes said: “As someone who was previously involved in construction myself, it’s fantastic to look around a building that’s historically significant for the town that has been sensitively refurbished to create very modern offices and a beautiful place to work.
“I’m delighted that the former school has been given a new lease of life and that the historic element including the clock tower has been retained.
“Employment is obviously incredibly important to the town and I’m delighted to see this kind of success story locally.
“Wedge Group Galvanizing is more successful than ever after almost 150 years in the town and on the national stage and that’s an achievement for us all to be very proud of here in Willenhall.”
Michael Bates, Director of Architecture at Wolverhampton-based Tweedale, said: “This has been a fantastic project to be involved in because of the challenge of creating a design that complements and enhances elements of the existing locally-listed building in a conservation area; respecting its history and key features.
“The design provides a contemporary, first class working environment and will give the building a new life for many years to come.”
Also present at the ceremony were brothers Ted and Eric Hall – former pupils at Central School and long-time residents of the town.
Ted accepted an invitation to formally cut the ribbon on the new building alongside Jeremy Woolridge, chairman of Wedge Group Galvanizing Ltd.