The company was formed in
1959 by brothers Peter and Philip Ward and traded as “Ward
Bros”. Initially one straightening and cutting machine
was purchased to decoil wire rod for the precast concrete industry,
this was the principle activity of the company for the early
years and the customer base expanded from one to about five
or six customers.
In the early sixties the
first wire drawing machine was purchased which opened up a
new market in drawn wire in coils. Further small cutting machines
were installed so that smaller diameter wire in cut lengths
could be offered. This in turn made it possible for wire in
cut lengths to be spot welded in to mesh panels, which were
mainly used by British Rail for reinforcing the concrete cable
troughs which run along side the rail tracks. Black annealed
bundling wire for the steel industry was also added to the
product range in the mid sixties and the company gradually
expanded its customer base.
The 1970’s saw the
three day working week which was brought about by the miners
strike which caused electricity shortages. During this period
the company started to make wire spacers used to position top
reinforcement in concrete slabs. The spacers were made on hand
benders and did not require the use of electricity. Once the
power situation returned to normal, the spacers were mechanised
and this area of the business saw significant increases and
formed a major part of the companies business for several years.
Steady growth was achieved
throughout the eighties with the addition of more drawing and
cutting capacity. Other products like wire for thermic lances
and baling wire were added. Additional buildings were erected
on site during this period to cope with the growth of the company.
Moving in to the nineties
quality wire products were manufactured like chrome plated
oven shelves, plastic coated refrigerator shelves and bespoke
display stands. The increase in awareness of recycling caused
a new and growing demand for baling wire and the company seized
the opportunity to greatly expand its throughput and customer
base by investing in more drawing equipment, specialist baling
wire machines and annealing furnaces.
Today the company has over
1000 customers, operates from two sites in Penistone and employs
60 people. We are able to offer a wide range of bright and
black annealed wires, cut and bent rebar, reinforcement accessories
and tying wire.
Moving forward, Penistone
Reinforcements will continue to invest in the latest technology
and ensure we have the highly skilled work force we need to
remain the number one choice wire manufacturer in the UK and
Ireland.
