Wiring manufacturing success

Historically known as the 'Wire' thanks to a thriving wire business owned by the Ryland brothers, Warrington has always been a manufacturing hub. Rather than be confined to history books, since it's Wire days, Warrington's manufacturing prowess has evolved into a high value, sophisticated advanced engineering and manufacturing location.

Today, Warrington has a thriving and diverse manufacturing base that employs over 8,000 people in the Warrington area and 44,000 in the wider Cheshire region. Taking advantage of competitive rates and a large catchment area, Warrington's list of larger national and international manufacturers is impressive. We're now home to Plastic Omnium, Sonova, Stanley Black & Decker, Dana Brevini, Jungheinrich, Kawasaki Robotics, Bonfiglioli, Perrite, and vital local manufacturers such as the Hiden Group, G&J Greenall.

Underpinning Warrington's manufacturing success is an essential and thriving chemical sector. With internationally recognised companies like PQ Silicas, Ingevity Corporation and Solvay Interox based in Warrington, manufacturers in Warrington and the wider Cheshire area can access these raw materials on their doorstep. The chemical sector is also a large employer, employing some 3,500 people - a proportion that's more than double the national average (0.7% compared to 0.3%). 

Water on tap

With its head offices in Warrington, United Utilities provides water to over 3.2 million homes and some 200,000 businesses. With a 5,000 strong workforce and a £1bn supply chain expenditure, they provide fresh water right across the North West, from Carlisle in northern Cumbria to Crewe in southern Cheshire.

Managing reservoirs, treatment works, pumping stations, water pipes and sewers - it's all overseen from their Lingley Mere hub, right here in Warrington.

Engineering innovation

Warrington has seen a significant increase in engineering and design consultancies over the last ten years. So much so that this hugely innovative sector now employs over 5,000 people locally. Providing expertise in control systems and instrumentation and modelling and simulation are several resident global engineering consultancies. Among them are international specialists AECOM, Atkins, MWH (Stantec) and CH2M. 

With a plethora of research, development and testing companies that provide independent expert advice such as ESR Technology, Jacobs, Exova Fire and Rawwater Engineering Company Ltd, Warrington is well set for further future growth. 

Some say success breeds success. And that's true. In Warrington, we like to think innovation breeds innovation - we're proud to be the home of such a diverse and flourishing sector.