What Webster & Horsfall Group does

Webster & Horsfall Group is a privately held, family-owned UK industrial enterprise founded in 1720, headquartered on a 17-acre historic site in Hay Mills, Birmingham, and currently led by the fifth and sixth generations of the Horsfall family. The group operates four divisions: Webster & Horsfall, which manufactures over 5,000 product lines of specialist wire including hard drawn, oil-tempered, stainless steel, shaped spring, dental lab, conveyor belt, and slickline wires for automotive, aerospace, medical, and oil and gas customers; Latch & Batchelor, which supplies high-performance steel wire ropes for cranes, offshore, mining, and structural applications and serves as the exclusive UK and Ireland distributor for Verope AG, with a strategic global mining rope partnership with Kiswire; Tyseley Energy Park, a clean energy innovation hub built on group-owned land that houses a 10MW waste wood biomass plant, the UK's first open-access multi-fuel low and zero carbon refuelling station, the Birmingham Energy Innovation Centre, and SME incubation facilities; and the Hay Mills Foundation Trust, which preserves heritage and supports community regeneration in East Birmingham.

The group's underlying technology rests on proprietary metallurgical IP accumulated over three centuries, including Telford Batchelor's invention of the locked coil wire rope (the global mining standard), James Horsfall's Letters of patent from Queen Victoria for wire heat treatment, and the first adaptation of crucible steel for high-carbon piano wire. Manufacturing is supported by state-of-the-art 10-hole wire drawing machines, a 110m indoor pre-stretching range, a 4m socketing tower, and ISO 9001:2015 certification at the Latch & Batchelor service centre, while Tyseley Energy Park relies on Nexterra-supplied gasification technology and the Birmingham Energy Innovation Centre's R&D infrastructure.

The business model is B2B enterprise direct sales with quote-based pricing, 30-day payment terms, and no public price disclosure. Revenue is generated through one-off product sales of specialist wire and wire rope, distribution margins on Verope products, value-added rope services (pre-stretching, proof loading, on-site fitting, socketing, lubrication), renewable electricity sales from the biomass plant, refuelling station operations, and incubation/real estate income from Tyseley Energy Park tenants. The group employs roughly 35 people in manufacturing with stated plans to scale to over 100, operates from a single Birmingham campus, and exports across Europe, North America, Asia, and Africa.

Name

Webster & Horsfall Group

Legal name

Webster and Horsfall Ltd

Website

https://whgroup.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1720

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Webster & Horsfall Group is a family-owned UK industrial firm founded in 1720 that manufactures specialist wire and wire rope products across four divisions for automotive, aerospace, mining, oil and gas, medical, and clean energy customers worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Specialty Wire and Wire Rope Manufacturing

NAICS

Spring and Wire Product Manufacturing (33261), Mining Machinery and Equipment Manufacturing (333131), Mining and Oil and Gas Field Machinery Manufacturing (33313)

SIC

Construction, Mining & Materials Handling Machinery & Equip (3530), Mining Machinery & Equip (No Oil & Gas Field Mach & Equip) (3532)

akta.pro primary industry

Crane & Hoist Components (Wire Rope, Chain, Drums, Sheaves, Motors, Controls) (IMAHAJAK)

akta.pro secondary industry

Conveying, Hoisting & Materials Handling Systems (Conveyors, Stackers/Reclaimers, Winches) (IMAKANAE)

Keywords

• Specialist wire manufacturing
• Wire rope solutions
• Clean energy generation
• Industrial steel wire
• Biomass power generation

Headquarters

HQ city

Birmingham

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Specialist Wire Manufacturing: Webster & Horsfall manufactures high-quality wire products including hard drawn wire, oil-tempered wire, stainless steel wire, slicklines, shaped spring wire, dental lab wire, and conveyor belt wire for automotive, aerospace, industrial, and medical industries.
2. Wire Rope Products and Services: Latch & Batchelor supplies specialist wire ropes for cranes, offshore applications, mining, and structural engineering. Services include pre-stretching, proof loading, on-site fitting, socketing, and rope lubrication. They are the exclusive UK and Ireland distributor for Verope AG.
3. Clean Energy Generation and Real Estate: Tyseley Energy Park generates revenue through renewable electricity from the biomass power plant, refuelling station operations, and incubating low-carbon SMEs. The park provides renewable power to manufacturing operations and tenants.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Webster & Horsfall Group manufactures specialist wire products (hard drawn, oil-tempered, stainless steel, shaped spring, dental lab, conveyor belt, slicklines) through the Webster & Horsfall division, and high-performance wire ropes for cranes, offshore, mining and structural applications through Latch & Batchelor. The Group also operates Tyseley Energy Park, a clean energy innovation hub featuring a 10MW biomass power plant, the UK's first multi-fuel low/zero carbon refuelling station, and SME incubation facilities.

Product overview

Webster & Horsfall Group is a family-owned enterprise founded in 1720, comprising four core divisions: Webster & Horsfall (specialist wire manufacturing), Latch & Batchelor (wire rope products and services), Tyseley Energy Park (clean energy innovation hub), and Hay Mills Foundation Trust (heritage preservation and community regeneration). The Group operates as a diversified industrial portfolio rather than a single unified product platform. Webster & Horsfall produces over 5,000 product lines of precision wire including hard drawn, oil-tempered, stainless steel, shaped spring, dental, and conveyor belt wires. Latch & Batchelor supplies specialist wire ropes for cranes, offshore, mining, and structural applications with full service capabilities including pre-stretching, socketing, and on-site fitting. Tyseley Energy Park represents the Group's diversification into clean energy, housing a 10MW biomass power plant, the UK's first low/zero carbon refuelling station, the Birmingham Energy Innovation Centre, and SME incubation facilities. The Group's products and services span industrial wire manufacturing, wire rope supply and services, renewable energy generation, and community sustainability initiatives.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Tyseley Energy Park: A pioneering hub for clean energy innovation, transforming the historic Webster & Horsfall site into a centre for sustainable energy systems, low-carbon transport, and cleantech business incubation.
• Webster & Horsfall
• Latch & Batchelor
• Hay Mills Foundation Trust

Products and services

• Hard Drawn Wire Precision wire for mechanical springs including extension, compression, and torsion springs, available in phosphate-coated, galvanised, tinned, and polished finishes for industrial applications.
• Oil-Tempered Wire High-performance spring wire for industrial and automotive applications offering exceptional durability and reliability.
• Stainless Steel Wire Corrosion-resistant wire with high tensile strength suitable for medical, aerospace, and automotive uses.
• Slicklines Single-strand, unbraided wire designed for mining and drilling operations.
• Shaped Spring Wire Custom-designed wire for specialised applications requiring precision and flexibility.
• Dental Lab Wire Highly polished stainless steel wire ideal for orthodontic and dental applications.
• Conveyor Belt Wire Durable wire solutions for industrial conveyor systems designed for longevity and efficiency.
• Crane Wire Ropes Specialist wire ropes for tower, mobile, crawler, harbour mobile, ship-to-shore, gantry cranes, and small overhead hoists.
• Offshore Wire Ropes Wire ropes for hoist, deck, diving bell, clump weight, and mooring line applications with DNV approval.
• Mining Ropes Specialist mining ropes including Locked Coil and Flattened Strand designs supplied to mining operations across Brazil, Canada, Zambia, France, Mongolia, UK, Democratic Republic of Congo, Australia, and Ghana.
• Structural Ropes Spiral strand ropes and assemblies, pre-stretched and measured using an indoor 110m pre-stretching range for bridges, buildings, and infrastructure projects.
• Wire Rope Assemblies and Fittings Comprehensive range of fittings including sockets, shackles, swivels, and thimbles from authorized distributors Crosby, Nemag, and Ropeblock.
• Verope Special Wire Ropes High-quality special wire ropes for mining, construction, heavy industry, offshore, and port sectors, distributed exclusively in UK and Ireland by Latch & Batchelor.
• Pre-Stretching and Proof Loading Services Indoor stretching range offering pre-stretching, proof loading, and precise measurements of rope lengths under nominal load.
• On-Site Fitting Services Experienced technicians provide on-site fitting services including installation of special end fittings, with team members approved by Liebherr.
• Socketing Services Attachment of various end sockets using Wirelock Resin, Zinc Alloy, or White Metal, facilitated by a 4m high socketing tower.
• Demag Products and Services Supply and fitting of Demag rope sockets, shackles, wedge sockets, load handling attachments, and lifting accessories.
• Rope Lubrication Services Wire rope lubrication services for both new and existing ropes, enhancing durability and performance.

Quantifiable outcome

• Production efficiency increased from 36 tonnes per head in 1970 to 114 tonnes per head today
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Birmingham City CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe largest local authority in the UK plays a pivotal role in supporting regional growth, sustainability, and innovation. Their collaboration with local businesses and academic institutions helps drive clean energy, urban development, and economic progress initiatives including the Tyseley Environmental Enterprise District (TEED) strategic alliance.
• University of BirminghamcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerA leading global university collaborating with industry and government to drive innovation. Partnership includes the Birmingham Energy Innovation Centre at Tyseley Energy Park, Energy Innovation Zone designation, Climate Innovation Platform for SME incubation, and collaboration on the National Centre for the Decarbonisation of Heat.
• Birmingham Energy InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of the University of Birmingham, focuses on developing sustainable energy solutions and supports the transition to a zero-carbon energy system through interdisciplinary research and partnerships.
• KiswirecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOne of the world's largest manufacturers of steel wire rope based in South Korea. Latch & Batchelor entered into a strategic partnership with Kiswire for the global distribution of mining ropes.
• Verope AGcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDesigns and manufactures high-performance steel wire ropes for lifting, mining, and construction industries. Latch & Batchelor is the exclusive UK and Ireland distributor for Verope AG products.
• BekaertminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGlobal market leader in steel wire transformation and coating technologies providing steel wire products and solutions for automotive, construction, and energy sectors.
• KOS WireminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSouth Korean manufacturer specialising in high-quality stainless steel wire products serving various industries worldwide with a commitment to innovation and quality.
• International Wire & Machinery Association (IWMA)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerThe world's largest and most influential association for the wire and cable industries, promoting technological advancements, networking, and educational opportunities within the sector.
• The Crown EstatecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoined the TEED Strategic Alliance (with Birmingham City Council, University of Birmingham, and Tyseley Energy Park) to establish Birmingham's Green Energy and Innovation Quarter. Commissioning reports on energy infrastructure and land opportunities.
• JM EnvirofuelsminorOthersBirmingham landscaping and recycling company supplying approximately 70,000 tonnes per year of wood fuel to the biomass power plant.
• NexterracoreTechnology or IntegrationCanadian company designing and supplying the gasification technology system for the biomass power plant, including four gasifiers, high pressure boiler, and flue gas treatment system.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Loos & Co (Wire Rope Division): US-based specialty wire rope and wire products manufacturer serving aerospace, medical, and industrial customers. Closely comparable to Webster & Horsfall's specialist wire product lines (spring wire, dental wire, stainless steel).
• Kiswire: One of the world's largest manufacturers of steel wire rope, headquartered in South Korea. Kiswire is a strategic mining-rope distribution partner of Latch & Batchelor, serving the same global mining and crane end markets as W&H.
• Teufelberger: Austrian manufacturer of steel wire ropes, synthetic ropes, and strapping with focus on crane, mining, and offshore applications. Highly comparable to Latch & Batchelor's specialty wire rope portfolio and customer base.
• WireCo WorldGroup: Global manufacturer of wire rope, synthetic rope, and engineered products serving mining, oil & gas, crane, and industrial markets. Comparable to W&H in terms of mining and crane rope product lines, but operating at much larger scale.
• Gustav Wolf GmbH: German specialty wire rope manufacturer focused on mining, crane, and elevator applications. Direct competitor in the locked coil and flattened strand rope category that W&H pioneered.
• Verope AG: Specialist manufacturer of high-performance steel wire ropes for lifting, mining, and construction industries. Verope's products are distributed exclusively in UK and Ireland by Latch & Batchelor, making it a direct competitive collaborator in specialty wire ropes.

Broad incumbents

• Bekaert: Global market leader in steel wire transformation and coating technologies, serving automotive, construction, and energy. Bekaert is a recognized W&H partner, and competes head on with W&H's wire and wire rope offerings at a vastly larger scale.
• Bridon-Bekaert (Steel Wire Rope): Steel wire rope business historically operated by Bridon (now part of Bekaert), serving mining, offshore, and crane markets. Comparable to Latch & Batchelor's core wire rope offerings but part of a much broader portfolio.

Regional players

• BS Stainless Limited: UK-based supplier of stainless steel wire products serving architectural, industrial, and marine applications. Regional peer with overlapping product categories (stainless steel wire, shaped spring wire) but narrower scope than W&H's portfolio.

Emerging players

• National Standard (Heico): Manufacturer of specialized wire products including cold heading wire, welding wire, and spring wire. Comparable to W&H's hard drawn and oil-tempered wire products for automotive and industrial applications.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/webster-horsfall-group

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Webster & Horsfall Group