West Yorkshire Manufacturing Services

What West Yorkshire Manufacturing Services does

West Yorkshire Manufacturing Services (WYMS) is a UK-registered charity established to ensure that the manufacturing and engineering industry, primarily in West Yorkshire, has a skilled workforce that enables the sector to grow and thrive. Operating from Kirkdale House, Armytage Road, Brighouse, near M62 Junction 25, WYMS serves small and medium-sized manufacturers, engineering firms, educational institutions, and young people exploring manufacturing careers, with secondary reach into the wider North of England.

The organisation delivers a multi-product portfolio spanning accredited training courses (health and safety, first aid, digital and automation, leadership, lean and continuous improvement, technical, wellbeing, and quality management), business support subscriptions (Health and Safety Professional Oversight Scheme, HR and Employment Law Scheme, SafeSites360), apprenticeships in manufacturing, welding, automotive, and electrical installation delivered through The Engineering Centre partnership with Calderdale College, and conference and meeting venue hire at the Junction 25 facility. Its core technical asset is the Industry 4.0 Digital Hub, a purpose-built training environment covering robotics, automation, 3D scanning and 3D printing, VR/AR, advanced simulation, data analytics, and AI/machine learning. The model is augmented by community programmes (Supporter Network of 130 manufacturers, the premium Advocate programme, the Additive Manufacturing Forum, and the North of England Regional Support Network) and event-led demand generation, with National Manufacturing Day as the flagship engagement platform.

WYMS earns revenue through a mix of per-delegate course fees, subscription-based business support schemes, transactional room hire, apprenticeship-related funding, and publicly funded skills programmes (notably the Industry 4.0 Champions Programme with West Yorkshire Combined Authority). The charity model explicitly prioritises sector growth over profit extraction, with strategic partnerships (Make UK, Colchester Machine Tool Solutions, Fluere, Clear Quality, Skills Connect, Textile Centre of Excellence) used to extend curriculum reach without carrying the full cost of in-house course development. Go-to-market is community-led and event-driven, with distribution concentrated at the Brighouse facility, supplemented by in-house training delivered at customer premises across the region.

Name

West Yorkshire Manufacturing Services

Legal name

West Yorkshire Manufacturing Services Limited

Website

https://wyms.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Brighouse

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Training Courses: Professional training courses covering health and safety, environmental, first aid, workforce upskilling, digital/automation, leadership development, productivity/continuous improvement, technical training, wellbeing, and quality management systems. Delivered as public courses, in-house training, or bespoke programmes.
2. Business Support Services: Subscription-based support schemes including Health and Safety Professional Oversight Scheme, HR and Employment Law Scheme, SafeSites360, and bespoke consultancy services.
3. Room Hire (Junction 25): Conference and meeting room hire services for professional events, with catering and refreshments additional.
4. Apprenticeships: Apprenticeship programmes in partnership with Calderdale College for Manufacturing and Engineering, Welding and Fabrication, Automotive, and Electrical Installation.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

WYMS provides professional training courses, apprenticeships, business support schemes and conference/room hire to manufacturing and engineering businesses, primarily in West Yorkshire. The organisation operates as a charity from a purpose-built Brighouse facility that includes an Industry 4.0 Digital Hub and the Junction 25 conference centre, supported by a growing community of 130+ manufacturing supporters and an Advocate programme.

Product overview

WYMS is a charity offering a comprehensive portfolio of manufacturing and engineering support services, operating as a multi-product organization rather than a single unified platform. The core offerings span training courses (Health & Safety, Environmental, First Aid, Digital & Automation, Leadership Development, Lean/Productivity, Technical Training, Wellbeing, Quality Management), apprenticeships delivered through The Engineering Centre partnership with Calderdale College, business support services (Health & Safety Oversight Scheme, HR & Employment Law Scheme, SafeSites360), Industry 4.0 Digital Hub, and conference facilities at Junction 25. These are complemented by specialist training products like Modular Engineering Courses (Manual/CNC Machining) in partnership with Colchester Machine Tool Solutions, Lean Manufacturing Training with Fluere, and First Aid Training. Community programmes include the WYMS Supporter Network (130+ manufacturers), the premium Advocate Programme, the Young Manufacturers' Network (planned), and specialist regional groups (Additive Manufacturing Forum, Regional Support Network, Valve Collaboration Group). Events capability centers on National Manufacturing Day. The portfolio integrates training delivery, business advisory services, facilities, and community building to serve the West Yorkshire manufacturing sector.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Junction 25: Conference and meeting room hire facilities at WYMS' Brighouse location. The venue offers professional rooms for board meetings and creative spaces.

Products and services

• Training Courses Professional training programmes covering Health & Safety, Environmental, First Aid, Digital & Automation, Leadership Development, Productivity & Continuous Improvement, Team Development, Technical Training, Wellbeing, and Quality Management Systems for manufacturing and engineering businesses.
• Apprenticeships Apprenticeship and T Level programmes in Manufacturing & Engineering, Welding & Fabrication, Automotive, and Electrical Installation delivered through The Engineering Centre partnership with Calderdale College.
• Business Support Services Subscription-based business support including the Health and Safety Professional Oversight Scheme, HR & Employment Law Scheme, SafeSites360, Lean Productivity and Improvement consultancy, and bespoke leadership and management training.
• Industry 4.0 Digital Hub Specialist hub providing training and facilities for Industry 4.0 technologies including robotics, automation, 3D scanning/printing, VR/AR, data analytics, and AI/machine learning, with associated Industry 4.0 Champions training programmes.
• Room Hire (Junction 25) Conference and meeting venue hire services at Junction 25 in Brighouse, West Yorkshire, offering professional rooms for board meetings, conferences, training events and creative spaces, with catering and refreshments available additionally.
• Events Event hosting including the annual National Manufacturing Day showcase, National Engineering Day, International Women in Engineering Day, and partner events held at WYMS' Brighouse conference facilities.
• Modular Engineering Courses (Manual and CNC Machining) Half-day modular training modules in manual turning/milling and CNC turning/milling at Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced levels, developed in partnership with Colchester Machine Tool Solutions and priced at £195 per person with a minimum of 3 participants per course.
• Lean Manufacturing Training Lean training courses including 2-Day Lean Techniques, 1-Day Lean Champion, High Impact Productivity Improvement Programme, Top Team Workshop, and the 5-Day Lean Green Belt certification (accredited by Lean Competence System at £850 + VAT per person), delivered in partnership with Fluere.
• First Aid Training Accredited first aid courses including Emergency First Aid at Work (1 day), First Aid at Work (3 day), First Aid at Work Requalification (2 days), and Mental Health First Aid.
• WYMS Supporter Network Community programme of partners and advocates championing WYMS's mission, providing networking, collaboration and industry support opportunities for member manufacturers. The network grew from 40 to 130 manufacturers in 2025.
• WYMS Advocate Programme Premium tier programme for manufacturing businesses that take an active role in strengthening the sector, offering closer engagement, increased visibility, discounted training access and opportunities to shape industry events.
• Clear Quality Apprenticeship Programme Specialist quality and compliance apprenticeships including Safety, Health and Environment Level 3, Internal Audit Technician Level 4, Quality Practitioner Level 4, and Lean Manufacturing Operative Level 2, delivered in partnership with Clear Quality Ltd.

Quantifiable outcome

• Defect reduction from 100 to 3 per week for Quickslide after Lean Green Belt training
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Clear Quality LtdcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 May 2026Partnership expands access to specialist quality and compliance apprenticeships including Safety, Health and Environment Level 3, Internal Audit Technician Level 4, Quality Practitioner Level 4, and Lean Manufacturing Operative Level 2. Clear Quality delivers practical, workplace-based learning designed for immediate workplace impact.
• Make UKflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Partnership from January 2024 brings Make UK's Health, Safety and Sustainability training to WYMS' North of England facility. Make UK's experienced trainers with industry-recognized qualifications deliver programmes at WYMS' purpose-built Brighouse facilities with state-of-the-art training technology. Official launch hosted by Make UK CEO Stephen Phipson on 29th November 2023.
• Colchester Machine Tool SolutionscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration to develop and deliver short-format engineering courses including half-day training modules in manual and CNC machining (turning and milling at Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced levels). Courses delivered by Trevor Moore with 40+ years industry experience. Currently being piloted with WKW Precision Engineering.
• FluerecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership launches new range of Lean courses covering 2-Day Lean Techniques, 1-Day Lean Champion, High Impact Productivity Improvement Programme, and Top Team Workshop. Fluere brings expertise in process improvement and operational excellence for manufacturing organisations.
• Calderdale CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership delivers apprenticeships and T Levels in Manufacturing & Engineering, Welding & Fabrication, Automotive, and Electrical Installation at The Engineering Centre based at WYMS. Calderdale College occupies part of WYMS building with separate secure access. WYMS supports collaboration between training providers and industry.
• Skills Connect / West Yorkshire Combined AuthorityflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerFully-funded Industry 4.0 Champions Programme provides training in robotics, automation, 3D scanning/printing, VR/AR, data analytics, and AI/machine learning. Delivered through i4.0 Hub at WYMS in collaboration with Textile Centre of Excellence and Calderdale College. Part of Future Goals programme by West Yorkshire Mayor.
• Textile Centre of ExcellencecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partner in Industry 4.0 Champions Programme alongside Skills Connect and Calderdale College, extending training reach across West Yorkshire manufacturing sector.
• Kiss it BetterminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerTrudy McLoughlin delivers first aid training courses at WYMS with friendly and practical teaching style. Covers Emergency First Aid at Work (1 day), First Aid at Work (3 day), First Aid at Work Requalification (2 day), and Mental Health First Aid.
• Mick MoretonminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerExpert trainer with huge knowledge and experience in operational excellence, continuous improvement, and Lean training. Has supported clients across Food & Drink, Automotive, Aerospace & Defence, logistics, and Utilities sectors.
• Adelphi Group of CompaniesflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerFirst WYMS Advocate - ISO certified, award winning manufacturer of processing and packaging machinery. Founded 1947 with sites in Haywards Heath and Huddersfield. Committed to supporting WYMS' mission to strengthen manufacturing and engineering across West Yorkshire through skills development and industry collaboration.
• Young Manufacturers' Network (YMN)coreOthersNetwork launched to support and develop early-career talent across West Yorkshire's engineering and manufacturing sectors. Part of WYMS' plans for 2026.
• Valve Centre of ExcellencecoreOthersPlanned Centre of Excellence to support Valve Valley cluster of 20+ specialist firms in Calder Valley recognised during National Manufacturing Day roundtable and Westminster advocacy.
• West Yorkshire Additive Manufacturing ForumcoreOthersSpecialist community created by WYMS to facilitate collaboration, knowledge sharing, and industry support among additive manufacturing businesses.
• North of England Regional Support NetworkcoreOthersRegional network created to provide support and networking opportunities for manufacturers across the North of England.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Broad incumbents

• Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC): A larger, government-backed UK facility providing advanced manufacturing R&D and skills training in robotics, automation, and digital technologies. Comparable to WYMS' Industry 4.0 Hub in mission and capability, but operating at significantly greater scale and national scope.
• British Safety Council: National H&S training and qualifications provider, including IOSH-aligned courses that compete directly with WYMS' Health & Safety training portfolio for the same SME customers across the UK.
• ECITB (Engineering Construction Industry Training Board): Statutory training and standards body for the engineering construction industry. WYMS is ECITB-approved for delivery, and ECITB represents the larger, nationally-funded equivalent of WYMS' apprenticeship and technical training model.
• HSS Training: Commercial training provider covering health & safety, IOSH, NEBOSH, and technical skills. Competes with WYMS on the same regulated course catalogue but at greater national scale and price competitiveness.

Direct peers

• Make UK: The UK's national manufacturing trade body and training provider. Make UK delivers the same health, safety, and sustainability training portfolio that WYMS hosts, and is also a flagship partner of WYMS, making it the closest comparable for both offerings and member/supporter engagement model.
• Textile Centre of Excellence: West Yorkshire-based training and technology centre for the textile and advanced manufacturing sector. Co-delivers the Industry 4.0 Champions Programme with WYMS and competes for the same regional manufacturing training and skills funding pool.
• Calderdale College: WYMS' direct partner for apprenticeship delivery, co-located in The Engineering Centre. Calderdale College is a local further education competitor for the same engineering, welding, and manufacturing apprenticeship income, while also being a channel for WYMS' services.
• RTC North: A North of England business support and innovation agency for manufacturers, providing training, networking, and growth advice. Closely matches WYMS' regional business support, events, and SME-targeted manufacturing remit across the same geography.
• The Manufacturing Institute: UK provider of leadership, management, and professional development training tailored to the manufacturing sector. Directly overlaps with WYMS' Leadership Development, Lean, and bespoke management training lines, competing for the same SME training budget.

Emerging players

• MESTEC: Digital manufacturing software and Industry 4.0 readiness partner that delivers training sessions at WYMS' Hub. Comparable as a technology-led Industry 4.0 enablement provider, with software and SIRI assessment services that complement WYMS' training mission.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/WestYorksManufS
• Facebookfacebook.com/WestYorksManufacturingServices
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/west-yorkshire-manufacturing-services

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 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 West Yorkshire Manufacturing Services