The William Hughes UK headquarters offers continuous innovation for component production across wire forming, robotic welding, CNC machining and automation-led component manufacture. With over two centuries of engineering heritage, our UK facility plays a critical role in delivering precision-formed wire components to global Tier 1 and Tier 2 supply chains across the automotive, aerospace, medical and industrial sectors and are NADCAP for tensile testing, heat treatment and passivation.
The site is fully equipped with the latest in high-precision CNC technologies for manufacture of safety-critical components, development of new forming techniques and close collaboration with OEMs and system suppliers to meet exacting performance, tolerance and traceability demands. From concept development through to high-volume manufacture, our UK team provides full technical support and production agility, particularly for customers seeking tight-tolerance components and validation-grade documentation.
Manufacturing Capabilities at the UK Facility
The UK facility specialises in the manufacture and assembly of high-integrity components with in-line quality control. Facilities include:
• Robotic Welding & Cobots – for seat frames, safety-critical automotive parts and medical-grade assemblies
• Wire Form & Spring Manufacture – CNC multi-slide and mandrel coiling from 0.2mm–12mm wire diameters
• NADCAP – for tensile testing, heat treatment and passivation
• Component Assembly & Sub-Assembly – manual and automated
• Ultrasonic Cleaning & Passivation – validated to ARP1176, ASTM G93 and NGPS 151 and 256
• Sterile Packaging – cleanroom kitting, VCI and solvent-free oxygen cleaning
• Jig & Fixture Design – rapid tooling and R&D support for new components
All services are certified to IATF 16949 and ISO 9001, ensuring full traceability from raw material to final part, with batch-level validation available for each step of the process. The factory is capable of handling production runs from small-scale batches to high-volume throughput with full batch traceability.
Automation and Engineering Development
We invest significantly in simulation, prototyping and production validation, including finite element analysis (FEA), tolerance stack-up assessment and rapid prototyping using soft tooling or modified jigs. The Stalbridge site features robotic welding machines including 6-axis welding cobots for the repeatable and highly consistent production of complex welded assemblies. These systems are ideal for precision welds, bracket assemblies and other load-bearing components where micro-level consistency in joint strength is essential. Our on-site engineer teams are always available to support customers with:
• Yield improvement and tolerance reduction initiatives
• Prototype-to-production transitions with low-risk scaling
• Design for Manufacture (DfM) and reverse engineering services
This investment in automated welding solutions allows us to guarantee both quality and efficiency, particularly for customers under pressure to meet stringent automotive tolerances and validation criteria.
Commitment to Sustainability and British Manufacturing
We recognise the environmental implications of component manufacture and are actively mitigating our operational impact. The UK facility is powered in part by a solar panel system that reduces grid dependency and supports peak-time efficiency. Waste material is segregated and recycled and we maintain solvent-free, aqueous-based cleaning systems wherever possible to reduce emissions and water contaminants.
As a leading British manufacturer, we are committed to maintaining local supply chains that align with sustainability goals, legislative compliance and post-Brexit sourcing strategies.
The long-term success of our UK factory is underpinned by a multi-skilled, well-supported workforce, many of which have been with the company for upwards of 10 years. We operate a structured engineering apprenticeship programme and continuous professional development (CPD) framework. Our apprenticeship programme ensures skills are retained within the industry, supporting local employment while also investing in gender equality and STEM participation.We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion, ensuring opportunity across all roles and career paths.
This investment in people directly translates into production consistency, process resilience and the ability to scale with confidence.
UK-Based. Globally Trusted.
Why Choose William Hughes UK for Component Supply
For over two centuries , we’ve supported Tier 1 and Tier 2 customers with complex wire forms, custom-made springs and welded assemblies, with quality, consistency and responsiveness at the core of everything we do.
This facility is particularly well-suited for procurement teams seeking to improve yield, reduce variability, or de-risk their current supplier base. We offer IATF 16949 and ISO 9001 certification, full traceability, and the flexibility to handle high-spec or safety-critical work. Our engineers work directly with clients on automation-led improvements, enabling faster development cycles and meaningful product refinement.
Our UK Facility Offers:
- Guaranteed production continuity from a UK-based site with extensive automation infrastructure
- Compliance with global standards including IATF 16949, ISO 9001, ARP 1176 and Nadcap accredited
- Rapid design iterations and prototyping using internal jig and tooling resources
- Dedicated robotic welding and cobot cells for scalable and repeatable production
- Proven experience in transitioning from legacy parts to modernised, higher-yield alternatives
- Transparent cost breakdowns, technical onboarding, and full documentation support