Major milestone achieved in £10m Blackburn heavy machining site that will create 60 jobs
A major milestone has been achieved in the development of Europe’s largest subcontract heavy machining and nuclear fabrication site - in Blackburn.
The WEC Group say they are making “significant progress” on the £10m facility in Walker Park, which stengthens their advanced manufacturing capabilities and supports the future needs of the UK’s heavy engineering and nuclear sectors.
Phase 1 of the build has already been achieved, with the first Correa Fox M machining centre successfully installed and fully operational. The second machine (Correa Axia with a 20t rotary table) is currently being installed, and apprentices have even been assisting with the welding. The Correa Axia will be operational by the end of March 2026.
Within phase 2 of the build, the walls and roof are now fully in place, and the team is currently focused on levelling the flooring in preparation for the next stages of installation and fit-out. Once complete, the WEC Heavy Machining and Nuclear Fabrication facility will house six large CNC machining centres, designed to handle components up to 30 metres in length. This will significantly expand the group’s existing machining capacity and technical offering, enabling the production of large, complex and high-integrity components for demanding industrial applications.
“Our £10 million investment in WEC Heavy Machining and Nuclear Fabrication underscores our ongoing commitment to adding value to our customers’ supply chains and this consolidates our position in the UK’s number one subcontract manufacturing company” said Steve Fitzpatrick, CEO of Machining at WEC Group.
“With this new facility, we are not only expanding our capacity but also enhancing our overall ability to deliver turnkey solutions for large and oversized projects.”
The new development is forecast to create 60 new jobs, ranging from skilled machinists and fabricators to other support roles.
Support your Lancashire Post and become a subscriber today. Enjoy unlimited access to local news, the latest football stories and new puzzles every day. With a digital subscription, you can see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Click here to subscribe.