Blackwood Engineering Limited (BWE), a market leader in the production and supply of metal castings and counterweights, is proud to announce significant advancements in its operations and continued support for local employment in the South Wales Valleys, following its successful application for a grant from Blaenau Gwent Council.
Established 75 years ago as a foundry in Aberbeeg, Blackwood Engineering has evolved to become a key player in the construction manufacturing sector, supplying global names such as Caterpillar, JCB, and Nifty. Blackwood Engineering remains in the private ownership of the Connor Family and is an important local employer in the Welsh Valleys. Part of Blackwood's hidden success as a warm and friendly family business in Wales is providing customers with great customer service, a great product, and offering a range of 'value-added' services alongside the supply of castings and counterweights.
The team at Blackwood Engineering now offers customers a full turn-around solution which means it can project-manage the technical engineering process and sourcing of raw products and deal with the logistics, processing, storage and supply to corresponding manufacturing sites in the UK or Europe.
With the support of grant funding, Blackwood Engineering has made strategic investments to enhance its operations. The money has been utilised to develop team members' problem-solving skills and to purchase and install awnings to protect finished products stored on the yard. This investment is expected to reduce rework costs caused by adverse weather conditions, thereby improving product quality and operational efficiency.
Company spokesperson Vivienne Compton said: "We at Blackwood Engineering are delighted to be a beneficiary of this scheme in what is proving a difficult economic climate for many employers.
This investment has helped us retain existing jobs, improve product quality, and employ young people into development roles. We are grateful to Blaenau Gwent Council for their support in building and retaining a successful business capable of providing important local employment for many individuals at different stages in their working life.”
In 2024 alone, Blackwood Engineering supported various initiatives, including internships with Cardiff University, undergraduate degree apprenticeships with the University of South Wales, and engineering graduate roles from Oxford Brookes University. The company also provided employment opportunities for college leavers and unemployed individuals over the age of 50.
Councillor John Morgan, Cabinet Member - Place & Regeneration and Economic Development said, “Blackwood Engineering have been a valued member of the business community for many years and it is good to hear they are supporting future generations with degree apprenticeships and providing retraining opportunities to the local community.”
The Blaenau Gwent Business Development Grant is funded by UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund and managed by the Business & Innovation Team at Blaenau Gwent Council. The Business Development Grant aims to support the growth and development of new and existing businesses in Blaenau Gwent. The scheme is now closed but businesses that require financial support are encouraged to complete the online EOI form at the link below and if further funding becomes available from April 2025 onwards businesses on the waiting list will be contacted.
https://formbuilder.evolutive.co.uk/formsite/form/f530b997-67cf-4775-af03-1434e30ece30
