Wire Belt Company Ltd (WBCL) was founded by the Greer family in Bromley, Kent, as a spin off from J W Greer Ltd, a long established confectionery machinery manufacturer headquartered in the UK.
WBCL move into a brand new 4,000 sq/ft. factory in Sittingbourne, Kent.
To accommodate the growth of the company WBCL moved into a 10,000 sq. /ft. factory. Some of the extra space was used to start conveyor manufacturing and the first conveyor to be manufactured in Sittingbourne was the Flex-Turn unit.
The Spreader/Converger conveyor was launched. The conveyor was designed in house to meet the demands of the confectionery industry where products needed to be separated in lanes to avoid sticking during the enrobing process.
Don Greer set about choosing a site and builds a freehold factory for WBCL. Also this year saw the launch of Flat-Flex® XT®, a stronger version on the original Flat-Flex belt.
Wire Belt Company Ltd in the UK is reunited with Wire Belt Company of America who were a spin off from J.W.Greer Ltd in 1947
WBCL acquired the assets of Food Engineering Developments Ltd, expanding its product range and to continue to supply spares and support for FED equipment.
Wire Belt purchases Industrielle Drahtsverarbeitung Osterloh, GmbH. The Osterloh Company has a varied product range of metal conveyor belting and has a company history dating back over 130 years. As part of the Wire Belt Group, it is now called Wire Belt Company Osterloh GmbH.
WBCL launched the Shuttle Conveyor a versatile piece of equipment that allows transfer of product by the rapid retraction of belt surface.
WBCL expanded its Sittingbourne factory, increasing production and stock holding facilities. The new building also gave the opportunity to use rainwater recycling through the installation of a water tank under the car park.
WBCL gained the Community Mark Award. This award recognises businesses demonstrating excellence in community investment. The work that WBCL carries out supporting the local community includes local schools and various other charities and initiatives in the area and is very much valued by their local community. They would later be recognised in 2010 as well.
WBCL undertook an environmental project with the objective of achieving a sustainable future both financially and environmentally. A 100 KwP photovoltaic system was installed comprising 420 panels.
WBCL celebrated its 50th anniversary and kicked of 2012 with a visit from their local MP Gordon Henderson.
WBCL launches Versa-Link™ conveyor belting at Interpack, Dusseldorf. This belt has advanced linking rods that can connect in less than 30 seconds.
Wire Belt wins 'Manufacturer of the Year Award' for the first time
Wire Belt were joint national winners of eef The manufacturers organisation Environmental Efficiency Award. The judges were impressed that we had made the decision to integrate environment into our mission statement.
Wire Belt's Aaron Cogger wins the KEiBA 'Apprenticeship of the year Award.' The judges were blown away by the commitment to apprenticeships shown by the Wire Belt Company