First Correa Fox Heavy Machining Centre
We are making rapid progress on our £10 million investment to establish Europe’s premier subcontract heavy machining and nuclear fabrication hub in Blackburn. This flagship project marks a transformative leap in our advanced manufacturing capacity, designed specifically to meet the rigorous demands of the UK’s heavy engineering and nuclear sectors.Phase 1: From Construction to Production
A pivotal milestone has been reached in Phase 1 with the Correa Fox M machining centre now fully commissioned and operational. This transition from a construction site to a live production environment is a major step forward for the business.
The Correa Fox M is a high-performance gantry milling machine offering an impressive machining envelope of 12,500mm (X-axis), 5,000mm (Y-axis), and 3,000mm (Z-axis). This extensive travel capacity enables us to machine exceptionally large and complex components with precision, efficiency, and repeatability.
Its rigid bridge construction, thermal stability, and advanced CNC control technology make it ideally suited for heavy-duty applications in nuclear, defence, energy, and large-scale infrastructure projects. For our customers, this means:
- Greater accuracy on large-format components
- Reduced setups and improved efficiency
- Faster turnaround times
- The ability to machine high-integrity parts in a single clamping
Expanding Technical Horizons
Upon completion, the WEC Heavy Machining and Nuclear Fabrication facility will be home to six massive CNC machining centres, capable of processing components up to 30 metres long. The Correa Fox M plays a central role in this capability, bridging the gap between large-scale fabrication and precision machining.
Its 12.5-metre longitudinal travel allows us to handle oversized fabrications commonly required in the nuclear and heavy engineering sectors, while the 5-metre cross travel and 3-metre vertical capacity provide the flexibility to machine tall and structurally complex parts. This significantly scales our technical offering, enabling the manufacture of high-integrity, safety-critical components required for the world’s most demanding industrial sectors.
This project reinforces our deep-rooted expertise in large-scale engineering. We currently operate three Correa Axia machines and an Asquith Butler travelling column mill across our Blackburn and Darwen sites; the new facility will centralise and amplify these strengths, cementing WEC Group’s position as a leading subcontract partner across the UK and Europe.
Boosting Local Employment in Lancashire
Beyond its industrial impact, the development is a significant win for the Lancashire economy. We anticipate the new site will create 60 new roles, ranging from specialist fabricators and CNC machinists to essential support staff. Recruitment is already active, and interviews are currently being conducted as we build our future workforce.
Behind the Scenes and Phase 2 Progress
We have been documenting this journey with regular updates and behind-the-scenes content on social media. To see the scale of the transformation — including footage of our apprentices welding structural beams — search @wecgroupltd on TikTok or follow us on LinkedIn for the latest photo updates.
Work on Phase 2 is moving at a brisk pace. With the roof and walls now fully secured, our team is currently levelling the floors to prepare for the final stages of internal fit-out. Everything remains on schedule, underscoring our unwavering commitment to investing in the future of UK manufacturing.