Contract manufacturer makes laser acquisition as ‘gateway to the south’
Contract manufacturer WEC, the UK’s largest fabrication and contract manufacturing company, has acquired Laser Profiles Ltd, a leader in precision laser cutting based near Bournemouth, Dorset.
This acquisition is part of WEC Group’s long-term growth strategy to extend its reach across all corners of the UK and reinforce their market leading position in the contract manufacturing sector and is described as a “gateway to the south” for the Lancashire-headquartered group.
Laser Profiles, which provides laser cutting services to “various key supply chains” in the South of England, will bring cutting-edge technology to other business to WEC Group.
The company had been owned by Amari Metals Engineering Group of Wednesbury in the West Midlands, which operates as a consortium.
Across the group WEC now has 25 laser cutting machines, 23 press brakes, 3 waterjet cutting machines high-definition plasma cutting machines, as well as over 40 CNC Machines, 200 skilled welders, 13 robotic welding cells, and full in-house powder coating and wet painting capabilities.
James Pickles, Service Centre Manager at WEC Group, said: “The addition of Laser Profiles to the WEC Group represents another important milestone in our ongoing
expansion plans, and as our first manufacturing site in the South of the UK, it will open the door to further growth as we gain access to new target markets. This acquisition allows us to harness synergies between our capabilities and expertise, enhancing our ability to serve our clients’ needs and further reducing manufacturing lead-times.”
In the last accounts filed for the financial year to December 2022, WEC Group made pre-tax profits of £9.8m on turnover of £125.8m. The company’s owners are registered in the United States of America.
With 900 staff and 9 manufacturing sites in Lancashire, Merseyside, Yorkshire and the West Midlands, the company comprises of 15 specialist divisions spread across over 600,000 square feet of production facilities.
WEC’s previous acquisitions include MTL Advanced in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, HTA Group in Coventry, West Midlands, and 5750 Components in Knowsley, Merseyside.
Each acquisition has strategically expanded WEC’s capabilities and market reach, affirming its commitment to excellence in the UK manufacturing supply chain.
Mark D’Amico (left), General Manager at Laser Profiles Ltd and James Pickles (right), Service Centre Manager at WEC Group.
