City supplies firm moves to new premises

Gordon Evans, of Tettenhall, launched GE Welding Supplies from modest premises at Lower Horsley Fields in Wolverhampton in 1988 initially to serve the needs of local engineering companies, but gradually expanding its customer base throughout the whole of the West Midlands and Shropshire, trading until he sold the business in 2012.

The company was then taken over by experienced welding trade specialist Mike Perks and his family, from Perton,

He has since enlarged the firm's customer base and increased its annual turnover by more than 400 per cent in only four years.

This huge increase in business necessitated the need for more suitable premises so earlier this year a redundant warehouse in Sutherland Avenue, Monmore, was acquired and subjected to renovation to provide 6,000 sq ft of storage and office space, together with a large dedicated showroom area which will open shortly.

Director Mr Perks, said: "With the amazing increase in turnover we had obviously outgrown the other premises.

"But we were determined to keep in touch with our loyal customers and remain within one mile of the original location, while also keeping the same phone number, all of which we have managed to achieve.

"This major investment has seen the reclamation of a large and neglected building which was very hard work to transform, but very worthwhile indeed, and this now provides us with excellent facilities to showcase our products and services, as well as creating new jobs as we have also expanded our workforce.

"After moving here earlier this year we were delighted to have attained the very prestigious ISO 9001 Accreditation which itself has brought new customers on board.

"We believe we have created a one-stop-shop for all welding supplies including gas cylinders, abrasives, protective clothing, power tools and welding machines, which should help promote our continued expansion within the welding and fabrication industry in the future."