#MadeInSandwell Monday 2018
#MadeInSandwell Monday is Think Sandwell’s (usually) weekly celebration of Sandwell businesses and organisations. We like to write about your talent, diversity and interesting origin stories! Please know you don’t need to ‘make’ things in order to be featured – we just love to share success that started in Sandwell. Find out how to be a #MadeInSandwell Monday star.
Monday 3 December
The Lions of the Great War statue [featured in our banner above; picture by Elliott Brown of Birmingham] stands in Smethwick, honouring people of all faiths from the Indian subcontinent who fought for Britain in the First World War and subsequent conflicts. It was created by Luke Perry, a Cradley Heath artist.
Monday 26 November
In an increasingly digital and sometimes impersonal world, two Oldbury-based sisters have made a living creating hand-drawn cards with carefully composed greetings. Meet Sheleen and Simone of Curious Pencil.
Monday 19 November
Tividale-based Barnshaw Steel Bending Group and has supplied iconic building components to world-class projects – including this RIBA Stirling prize-winning building in London.
Monday 12 November
We think Smethwick-based workwear supplier Wizard Pro Gear could wave a magic wand (or fire up its embroidery machines) and get your entire team looking the business!
Monday 5 November 2018
Specialist manufacturer of rapid tests (such as pH testing strips) and filtration products Johnson Test Papers in Oldbury has increased its workforce from three to 25 people. Go JTP!
Monday 22 October 2018
Next time you spot a Land Rover Discovery or Evoque, have a look at the sunroof. It’s very likely that it was made by Star Precision Tools in Wednesbury.
Monday 15 October 2018
Latham’s Security Doorsets in Oldbury already supplies an amazing 10,000 doors a year. Recent recruitment and building investments have brought a forecasted annual growth in turnover of 25 per cent.
Monday 8 October 2018
North Smethwick Development Trust has turned a dilapidated 1960s building into a much-loved community hub. Read all about the Brasshouse and its social enterprise café.
Monday 1 October 2018
We celebrated Black Country ingenuity with this profile of Cradley Heath-based Enforce Technology. The IT company went up against the Beast from the East to help clients at Forestry Commission Scotland.
Monday 10 September 2018
Did you know that the UK’s biggest concrete repair work is underway in Sandwell? It may be delaying motorists but here’s why the Oldbury Viaduct project is great news for the West Midlands . . .
Monday 3 September 2018
Joinery firm Aspen Concepts, with a workshop and factory in Oldbury, has been investing to keep ahead of the market. Its recent high-profile clients include John Lewis and the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.
Monday 23 July 2018
West Bromwich-based Ian Smith Group has evolved from office supplier into full business services provider, and reaped the rewards! Read all about one of Sandwell’s fastest growing companies for 2018.
Monday 16 July 2018
Esprit UK is a specialist shopfitting company, based in West Bromwich, with prestigious retail clients. It is Sandwell’s fastest growing business in 2018. How has Esprit achieved such impressive growth?
Monday 2 July 2018
Smethwick-based Mastervent supplies clipped ductwork in galvanised steel, mild steel and stainless steel. But what is the family company’s role in bringing back gold medals from the Chelsea Flower Show?
Monday 18 June 2018
Majorsell in West Bromwich is a specialist manufacturer of air brake components. Established on a shoestring, it exports to over 70 countries – including repair kits to SpaceX, a company that launches air rockets and spacecraft in the US.
Monday 22 May 2018
This company was established in 1937 as a coach building enterprise. Today Fred Smith & Sons builds, repairs and services trucks from three sites in West Bromwich.
Monday 15 May 2018
The RTB in RTB Performance stands for raise the bar! This rehabilitation and injury prevention service, based in Smethwick, encourages people to become and stay healthy.
Monday 16 April 2018
Giffords Recycling of West Bromwich has turned unwanted wooden pallets into a multimillion pound business, even supplying equestrian bedding for the Queen’s horses.
Monday 9 April 2018
From tiny beginnings in 1964, cold roll-forming giant Hadley Group has grown to have seven manufacturing centres worldwide – with headquarters in Smethwick.
Monday 26 March 2018
Hinges and hardwear specialist A Perry of Cradley Heath has supplied Buckingham Palace, Wembley Stadium and Warner Brothers. It has a contract with Aardman Animations to produce Shaun the Sheep statuettes.
Monday 19 March 2018
Civil and ground engineering company Forkers operates nationally from West Bromwich and has more than 45 years’ worth of expertise. The Sandwell location is crucial to Forkers’ success.
Monday 12 March 2018
Warning: this #MadeInSandwell story contains hunger-inducing images! Cradley Heath-based Manor Abbey Foods keeps Sandwell well fed, supplying to schools, cafés and businesses across the borough.
Monday 5 March 2018
“We’re really passionate about what we do – bringing circus into the community and making it accessible to all.” Spinsonic Circus Academy is a social enterprise based in Oldbury.
Monday 19 February 2018
West Bromwich-based AME Pressure Diecasting manufacturers zinc components. Its 20-year business plan has already led to an increase in women on its senior management team, and big investments in facilities.
Monday 5 February 2018
It’s not only businesses we celebrate on #MadeInSandwell Monday. Located in West Bromwich, Sandwell College has amazing facilities to prepare young people in the Black Country for a lifetime of achievements.
Monday 29 January 2018
From high-visibility jackets for railway workers to lab coats for technicians, Supertouch in Smethwick provides PPE (personal protective equipment) to help keep people safe across the UK.
Monday 22 January 2018
Ever wondered who makes those crowd control barriers you find at big events? Step forward Hawthorn Trading Company, strong as steel in Wednesbury for 30 years.
Monday 15 January 2018
What a year! In 2017 Wednesbury-based commercial vehicle bodybuilder Bevan Group celebrated its 30th anniversary, won an award and was one of Sandwell’s Top 50 fastest growing companies.
