History
Almor Wellman can trace its history back to 1904. Prior to it’s acquisition by the Almor Group, the original Wellman business expanded through it’s own acquisition of a number of well-known names in furnace building such as Incandescent, Birlec, British Furnaces, Gibbons, Metalectric, CGE (Consultant Gas Engineers) Wild Barfield and Barlow Whitney. Today these brands all contribute to Wellman’s depth of technical expertise and knowledge of furnace manufacturing and operation.
1904
Where it all started
The combination of Almor and Wellman businesses within this division can trace their histories back to 1904, and incorporates the businesses and technology from several well respected UK furnace builders.
Wellman Smith Owen Engineering Corporation, a large British engineering company derived from Samuel T.Wellman, a steel industry pioneer. It was based at Parnell House on Wilton Road in London, next to London Victoria Station supplying furnaces to the British Steel Industry.
In August 1965 it split into several subsidiaries, including Wellman Machines (at Darlaston, Staffs), Wellman Incandescent Furnace Company (at Darleston, Staffs), Wellman Steelworks Engineering, and Wellman Incandescent International.
Wellman became a private company in December 1997.
The Almor Group bought Wellman Furnaces in 2015.
19041917
Wild Barfield
Wild Barfield (incorporating Barlow Whitney) was established in 1917
Acquired by the Almor Group in 1998.
Design and manufacture of industrial furnaces and ovens.
Furnaces services and replacement parts.
1917
1919
Wellman, Smith, Owen Engineering Corporation
Incorporated as a private company.
19191924
The Wellman Company was made public
1924
1938
Wellman acquired Basic Industries Equipment Company
1938WWII
Constructed many plants for making shells, some of which were exported; also made and fitted bridge laying equipment to tanks
WWII1947
Acquired the shares of Wellman Bibby Co Ltd, specialists in torsional problems in power transmission.
1952
Opened branch engineering workshop at Kirkby in Liverpool and design office in Glasgow.
1947 - 19521960
Formed Wellman Smith Owen (Furnaces) Ltd
19601961
Incandescent LTD & Metalectric
Both companies were acquired by Wellman.
1961
1965
Wellman Engineering Corporation established
19651966
Brayshaw Furnaces were acquired by the Wellman Company
19661976
Mormetfabs were established
Mormet fabs – alloy fabricator, heat treatment fixtures and furniture.
This is now the location of the Wellman facility in Tipton, near Birmingham.
1976
1978
Wellman aquired British Furnaces.
19781980
BIRLEC was acquired by Wellman.
1980
1982
Gibbons Furnaces was acquired by Wellman
1982
1984
Heat Treat Services established – aquired by Almor in 2004
Alloy fabricator heat treatment equipment
Furnace refractory services.
Furnace site services.
19841998
Wild Barfield incorporating Barlow Whitney joined the Almor Group.
Marathon Process Controls were established.
1998
2004
Almor Partner Aichelin
Sealed Quench Furnace installations.
Pusher Tray Type Continuous Furnaces with Controlled Atmosphere.
Continuous Conveyor Belt Furnaces.
Ring Hearth Furnaces for Continuous Carburising and Press or Oil Hardening.
Continuous Roller Hearth Furnaces.
Rotary Hearth Furnaces with Controlled Atmosphere.
20042005
CGE was acquired by Wellman
20052009
The Almor Group acquired Mormetfabs based in Tipton.
Tipton the new Head Office for Wellman Furnaces.
20092013
Wellman Thermal Services consisted of 3 parts: Wellman Robey for boilers, Wellman Furnaces for Furnace Engineering, and Wellman Process Engineering for Vapourisors and crystallisation plant.
2013
2015
Almor Ltd acquired Wellman Furnaces
2015
