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Special Projects Facilities

WEC Special Projects was established in 2008 as part of our ongoing expansion, with an initial focus on stainless steel fabrication, commercial diving chambers, street furniture and volume production work. Operating from a 24,000 sq. ft. facility with two large fabrication bays, the division has continued to grow, building a strong customer base across multiple key industries. Today, we specialise in bespoke stainless steel, aluminium and mild steel fabrication projects up to 30 tons, ranging from one-off requirements through to small, medium and large batch production work.

Equipped with state-of-the-art machinery including pyramid rolls and sub-arc welding equipment, we are able to fabricate a wide array of vessels in both mild and stainless steel. Accredited to ISO 9001:2015, EN 1090, EN 15085-2, ISO 14001, ISO 45001 and ISO 3834-2, our operations are driven by a “Right First Time, Every Time” ethos that ensures consistently high standards of quality.

Working alongside our main fabrication division, WEC Special Projects delivers certified solutions to a diverse range of sectors, including food processing, architectural metalwork, airport ground support equipment, and commercial diving and hyperbaric chambers.

Bespoke Fabrication Projects:

WEC Fabrication specialises in bespoke fabrication projects, working closely with customers to deliver solutions tailored to their needs. Our skilled team combines expertise, flexibility and attention to detail to handle even the most complex requirements. We are committed to providing the best all-round service, from the initial concept right through to final delivery.

Case Studies

Specialist Stainless Steel Ducts

Our Special Projects division was commissioned to manufacture a set of three stainless steel ducts, requiring high quality TIG welding and a fully cleaned finish prior to delivery. The project demanded precision, consistency and close attention to detail to ensure all three units met the same exact standards. The scope included the fabrication and TIG welding of three stainless steel duct assemblies. Given the intended application, a clean finish was essential. All cleaning and finishing processes were therefore carried out in house, allowing full control over quality and consistency. Using high grade stainless steel, our experienced TIG welders produced smooth, uniform welds across all three ducts. Care was taken to maintain dimensional accuracy and repeatability, ensuring each duct matched the required specification. Our Special Projects team worked alongside quality control throughout fabrication to inspect weld integrity and overall finish.

Stainless Steel Machine Enclosures

At WEC Fabrication, we specialise in the welding and fabrication of high-quality stainless steel enclosures for a wide range of industries, including medical, catering, automation, transport, and general engineering. Our team has extensive experience producing enclosures for various applications on production lines including:
– Scanning machine enclosures

– Electrical and control panel housings

– Diagnostic and testing equipment covers

– Food-grade and hygienic enclosures for clinical use

– Weatherproof and vandal-resistant outdoor units

Birmingham 21

Project: Birmingham 21 Sculpture
Artist: Anu Patel
Location: Birmingham, UK

Our architectural metalwork division, m-tec, was honoured to contribute to the Birmingham 21 Memorial, a poignant tribute to the victims of the 1974 Birmingham pub bombings. Designed by artist Anu Patel, the installation comprises three 15ft trees, symbolising remembrance and unity. These trees stand in iroko wood planters, crafted from a combination of Corten steel and stainless steel, creating a striking contrast of textures and finishes. Each tree features seven intricately designed steel leaves, with the names and ages of the 21 victims laser-cut into their undersides. This delicate detailing ensures a lasting and deeply personal tribute, providing a space for reflection and remembrance.

Arches of Oman

Project: Arches of Oman
Artist: Giles Rayner
Location: Muscat, Oman

Our architectural metalwork division, m-tec, was commissioned to fabricate a striking 12-metre-high architectural stainless steel water feature, now a centerpiece in the private gardens adjacent to the Royal Opera House in Muscat, Oman. Designed by renowned sculptor Giles Rayner of GR Sculpture Ltd, the sculpture embodies a seamless blend of artistry and engineering. The Duplex stainless steel structure was meticulously fabricated and polished by m-tec’s expert engineers at their UK headquarters. The project took three and a half years from concept development to final installation, with rigorous quality control at every stage.

Meads Reach Stainless Steel Footbridge

Project: Meads Reach Bridge
Location: Bristol, UK

Meads Reach Bridge Temple Quay II, Bristol The Meads Reach Bridge was a joint project between m-tec, Niall McLaughlin Architects, Cyril Swett, Gleeds, Price & Myers and Dean & Dyball for Castlemore Securities to renovate Temple QUAY II in Bristol. m-tec fabricated the 55-metre, 75-tonne stainless steel pedestrian walkway in-house from 2205 duplex stainless steel. Its construction was made from eight sections which were delivered individually to the Bristol location.

Pooley Bridge – Stainless Steel Road Bridge

Project: Pooley Bridge
Location: Lake District

In collaboration with Knights Architects, Eric Wright Civil Engineering, and Cumbria County Council, this innovative three-layer stainless steel road bridge is the first of its kind in the UK. Spanning 40 feet across the River Eamont, the structure is constructed from 110 tonnes of 2205 stainless steel and concrete. Owing to the scale of the project, the structure was fabricated in four sections and required one of the largest cranes in Britain for installation. Its construction involved approximately 13,000 hours of skilled labour, and the bridge was officially opened to the public in spring 2020.

About WEC Group

With over 1,100 employees and 760,000 sq. ft. of manufacturing space across 10 sites in Lancashire, Merseyside, Yorkshire, Dorset, and the West Midlands, WEC Group is one of the UK’s leading fabrication and engineering specialists. Comprising 15 companies and serving key sectors such as Aerospace & Defence, Oil & Gas, Nuclear, Mining, and Automotive, we offer comprehensive subcontract engineering and metal fabrication solutions to meet the most demanding project requirements.

About WEC Group

History

WEC Group began with humble roots as a two-man operation in Darwen, Lancashire back in 1979. Over the past 45+ years, a commitment to engineering excellence, skilled craftsmanship, and continuous investment in cutting-edge technology has driven our growth into one of Europe’s largest and most trusted contract manufacturing and fabrication companies.

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Our Values

At WEC Group, our core values shape everything we do, from the way we work to how we support our people. We are dedicated to Integrity, always acting with honesty and transparency; Excellence, continuously aiming to exceed expectations; and Positivity, creating an uplifting and collaborative environment for learning and growth. We champion Teamwork as a driving force for innovation and shared success, and we place a strong emphasis on Safety, maintaining a secure and high-performing workplace for all. These guiding principles underpin our operations and help develop the next generation of engineers through our dedicated apprenticeship programmes.

Why WEC?

We provide a complete in-house manufacturing service, guiding projects from initial concept and design through to fabrication and installation. Our team of specialists is dedicated to delivering precision and quality at every stage, ensuring the final product meets your exact requirements.

What is metal fabrication?

Metal fabrication is the process of cutting, shaping, and assembling metal to create parts or structures. It includes welding, bending, and machining, and is used across industries like construction, transport, and engineering. WEC Fabrication offers a full in-house service from design to installation, delivering high-quality solutions in mild steel, stainless steel, and aluminium.

What are the different types of metal fabrication services?

Metal fabrication services include cutting, welding, bending, and assembly of metal components. Common types are stainless steel fabrication, mild steel fabrication, sheet metalwork, structural steel fabrication, and architectural metalwork.

At WEC Fabrication, we specialise in these services, using advanced equipment and skilled engineers to deliver precision and quality for every project.

What industries use metal fabrication services?

Metal fabrication is essential across many industries, including construction, rail, defence, automotive, aerospace, energy, and public infrastructure. Each sector relies on custom fabricated metal components for strength, durability, and precision.

WEC Fabrication proudly serves these industries, delivering tailored solutions that meet strict quality and safety standards.

What finishes or coatings are available for fabricated products?

WEC Fabrication offers a range of high-quality finishes including powder coating, wet painting, and shot blasting. Our in-house powder coating team uses state-of-the-art equipment to coat mild steel, stainless steel, and aluminium in virtually any RAL colour, delivering durable, chip-resistant, and environmentally friendly finishes.

We also provide wet painting and shot blasting services for larger components, making us a one-stop-shop for metal fabrication and finishing needs across many industries.

How long does a fabrication project take?

Project times can vary depending on the size, complexity, and finishing requirements. At WEC Fabrication, we operate 24/7 across multiple shifts to maximise productivity and reduce lead times.

We offer rapid quotation turnaround, often within 24 hours, and next-day laser cutting services through our SILVER cutting service for urgent jobs, helping customers meet tight deadlines without compromising on quality.

What are the different types of Welding?

There are several different types of welding, each suited to specific applications and materials. The most common methods include MIG (Metal Inert Gas) welding, TIG (Tungsten Inert Gas) welding, stick (arc) welding, and flux-cored welding, with additional specialist techniques such as submerged arc welding and spot welding. Each process has its own advantages, from the speed and efficiency of MIG to the precision of TIG, allowing us to select the best method for every project.

What is the largest project WEC Fabrication has handled?

The largest project WEC Fabrication has handled is the multi-million-pound replacement of Pooley Bridge in the Lake District, the UK’s first stainless steel road bridge of its kind. Fabricated at our Darwen-based facilities, the 40-metre open-spandrel arch bridge used 110 tonnes of Duplex 2205 stainless steel and concrete, assembled in four sections requiring around 22,000 man-hours. Despite challenges including the COVID-19 pandemic and the bridge’s complex location, the project was completed with precision, using custom jigs and one of the UK’s largest cranes to lift the structure into place. The bridge not only restores a vital transport link but also demonstrates WEC’s expertise in high-spec architectural metalwork and landmark infrastructure projects.

What are WEC Fabrication’s typical lead times?

Lead times at WEC Fabrication vary depending on the size, complexity, and material of the project. Standard bespoke fabrication projects are usually completed within a few weeks, while larger or more complex contracts, such as multi-tonne structures or architectural metalwork, may require several months from design through to delivery. We work closely with each customer to provide accurate timelines and ensure projects are delivered on schedule without compromising quality.

WEC Fabrication has extensive experience in the fabrication of large and heavy engineering projects, delivering high-quality structures, tanks, and pressure vessels for sectors such as offshore, oil and gas, food processing, nuclear, and chemical industries.