ROYAL MAIL POST BOXES
WEC Group Puts Its Stamp on Royal Mail Contract
A Major Milestone for a Proud British Manufacturer
In 2020, WEC Group, a leading contract manufacturing specialist based in Darwen, secured a prestigious multi-million-pound contract with Royal Mail. From July 1st of that year, WEC Group began manufacturing all Royal Mail’s iconic red post boxes and associated metal products, items deeply embedded in British heritage.
Expanding Capabilities and National Presence
The Royal Mail contract required WEC Group to produce a wide range of fabricated products, including post boxes, parcel drop boxes, sorting stations, and mail trolleys. The scope of work was well aligned with the company’s in-house capabilities, which encompass laser cutting, fabrication, precision machining, and specialist coatings. Adrian Radcliffe, Fabrication Operations Manager, credited the win to WEC’s longstanding reputation for quality, reliability, and the ability to deliver complex projects on time and within budget.
Strength Amid Uncertainty
Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, WEC Group’s successful bid underscored its resilience and strength as a trusted supply chain partner. Commercial Director Wayne Wild described the contract as a major boost to the Group’s growth targets, adding that the partnership with Royal Mail reaffirmed WEC’s position as the go-to UK manufacturer for OEMs seeking dependable and future-proof manufacturing solutions.
Investment in People and Technology
At the time of securing the contract, WEC Group employed over 150 highly skilled welders and had recently invested over £6 million in advanced manufacturing technologies. These included robotic welding systems, CNC machining centres, and fibre laser cutting machines, key developments that enhanced production efficiency, accuracy, and scalability. The Group’s commitment to continuous improvement and workforce development played a vital role in winning and delivering such high-profile work.
Local Pride and National Recognition
The contract was met with enthusiasm by staff at the Darwen headquarters, who took great pride in manufacturing some of the most recognisable products in the UK. Local MP Jake Berry also praised the achievement, stating: “WEC Group really are a first-class company, so it’s appropriate that they’ll be manufacturing the iconic red letterboxes right here in Darwen.” The win was another example of how WEC Group has continued to deliver on large-scale national projects, including recent work for Airbus.