Four Forged in Fire champions return for a chance to prove who among them is the best of the best in a challenge that leaves no room for error: a high carbon steel inlay. After two surprising rounds of competition, only two will move on.
An open day was held at an historic Willenhall factory with the boss of a leading car manufacturing company invited to officially open its forging facility.
The long-standing WH Tildesley, in Bow Street, spent more than £1 million on expansion plans which are expected to create new roles in the future.
The firm supplies the aerospace, oil, motorsport and pharmaceutical industries and been running more than 130 years.
Sir Alan Jones, chairman emeritus from Toyota Motor Manufacturing (UK) Ltd, was invited to officially open the new-look facility.
Several of the classic and vintage vehicles that use parts produced by the company were put on display. Factory tours also took place.
The regeneration at the company, at Clifford Works, has involved refurbishing and rebedding all forge hammers using the latest damping technology to minimise vibration.
Two new forge buildings were built and the shop floor area has been extended so it has space for growth over the coming years.
The company revealed earlier this year it has started shipments of another forged and machined valve body to the aerospace industry.
The component is forged from CZ115 brass before being extensively machined in the company’s in-house machine shop.
The finished valve body is fitted to the Hawker 125 aircraft, where it helps to regulate the emergency oxygen supply.
The firm has taken on apprentices in the past year and recruitment for more roles will begin as demand increases.
The firm originally started out in blacksmithing and engineering when it was launched in Willenhall in the 1870s.
But it has built up a reputation in the forgings and pressings industry with links to Europe and America.