The British manufacturer of saws, croppers and tumblers, Wells Wellcut, had looked abroad for sales during the economic downturn but is now so busy again it has cancelled all export orders so it can work flat out to keep its customers in the UK satisfied.
The next Wellcut saw to be installed is a 1200 auto with 40 programmable cuts going to Gallagher near Maidstone, Kent, for the production of Kentish Ragstone. (You can read more about the developments at Gallagher from page 36.)
Wells now has so many orders that customers are facing lead times of up to 22 weeks. John Wells, who has handed the business over to his son, Luke, is now back working almost full time. He points out that a 22-week wait is no worse than for a new Range Rover.
The latest launch from Wells is a multi-chisel stone splitter – and for the first time Wells is supplying a product that it does not make, although it says the splitters are made by a family company similar to Wells Wellcut with an ethos of supplying well made, value-for-money products.
Multi-chisel stone splitters are for use on granite and hard stones. By having several blades, pressure is not concentrated on any particular high point. The load is spread, which keeps the cut clean. There are three versions: 50, 70 and 100tonne, each available electric or diesel powered.
John Wells says they have introduced the machines because customers have asked for them when they were buying saws.
With an increase in the range of products sold by Wells over the years, the current growing demand for machinery, and now with the multi-chisels as well, Luke Wells, his father John, and the six people who work with them have found their Deeping Saint Nicholas premises in Lincolnshire a bit overcrowded. To alleviate the problem Wells is currently having a new factory built on a 1.5acre site on the other side of Stamford.
It will be about 18 months before the new factory is ready but when it is, the company will operate from both sites and expects to recruit up to another six people.
As well as its standard range, Wells Wellcut is always willing to modify its machines or make bespoke items – such as the three saws it is currently making for cutting slate.