An Oswestry manufacturer is expanding its production capacity with the arrival of two new CNC sliding-head lathes on the same day — a first in the company's history.

The two machines arrived today at GWR Fasteners' 10,000 sq ft premises on Artillery Business Park and will join its growing in-house precision manufacturing operation.

And there will be little time for them to gather dust.

Work is already waiting to go onto both machines, with production due to begin as soon as commissioning is complete.

The investment represents another significant step in GWR's development as a British precision manufacturer, increasing both its manufacturing capacity and the range and volume of work it can undertake for customers.

The company manufactures precision components for customers across a range of industries, including engineering, agriculture, construction and defence, alongside its established fastener distribution business.

Its manufacturing operation includes both fixed-head and sliding-head CNC lathes and can produce components from various materials up to 42mm bar diameter, from low to high volumes and to high tolerances.

For founder and engineer Gary Robinson, today's double delivery is particularly significant.

He started GWR Fasteners during the 2008/09 recession, initially operating from an outhouse and selling fasteners online.

As the business grew, it moved into a small industrial unit and later a converted 2,500 sq ft metal barn before continued expansion eventually brought GWR to its current 10,000 sq ft premises on Artillery Business Park in Oswestry.

Manufacturing has since become an increasingly important part of the business.

Gary said:

“When I started GWR, I certainly wasn't imagining a day when we'd be taking delivery of two brand-new CNC machines at the same time.

“We've invested progressively in our manufacturing operation, but this is the first time we've had two new machines arrive together and it's a real milestone for us.

“What makes it even better is knowing that we've already got work waiting for them. Once they're commissioned, they'll be going straight into production.

“We want to keep growing what we manufacture here in Shropshire. This investment gives us greater capacity, but it also means we can say yes to more customers looking for a British manufacturer capable of producing the components they need.”

The latest investment is part of a wider drive by GWR to raise awareness of a side of the business that is sometimes overshadowed by its name and its long-established fastener distribution operation.

While GWR stocks almost 100,000 products at its Oswestry warehouse and supplies trade and individual customers throughout the UK and internationally, it is also an established precision manufacturer with an expanding CNC operation.

Manufacturing Lead Dan Farrar has seen that expansion from the workshop floor.

Dan joined GWR as an apprentice in 2017 and has progressed through the company to lead its manufacturing operation.

He said:

“Two new sliding-head machines arriving together is a big moment for us.

“The extra capacity means we can handle more work and gives us greater flexibility in what we manufacture and the volumes we can produce.

“The best part is that these machines already have jobs waiting for them. As soon as commissioning is finished, we'll be putting them to work.”

The company's continued investment in machinery is being accompanied by investment in people, systems and digital infrastructure, including the development of a new B2B and B2C website.

For a business that began in an outhouse during a recession, the arrival of two CNC machines together marks another stage in its transformation.

Almost two decades later, GWR is no longer simply a business that sells fasteners.

It is manufacturing in Shropshire — and investing to manufacture more.