Leader keen to “shout about” thriving business
A replica Titanic anchor has been presented to the leader of Dudley Council as part of a tour of a Black Country business.
Bosses at Woodhall Products presented the replica which they designed and created at the firm.
The family-run firm was keen to showcase its skills and products and invited the leader of the council for a tour of the site yesterday (Mon). The 30cm recyclable plastic replica was designed by staff using the latest cutting-edge computer design and then manufactured on the premises in Providence Street, Cradley Heath, using a 3D printer.
The original anchor was designed and forged in Netherton and marks the borough’s proud links with manufacturing history and one of the most famous ships in history.
The replica will be displayed proudly in the leader’s office where he holds high profile meetings with visitors and partners on borough business.
Councillor Patrick Harley, leader of the council, said:
I was delighted to be invited for a tour of the business and really touched that they took the time to create this amazing and symbolic icon of our history. The business, like many others, has been through some tough times, but I am delighted they are still going strong in the Black Country. What they do there is very impressive, something I think we need to shout about
The business is run by father and son, Ian and Dan Heaford, and has been running for more than 20 years. It now employs four people at the site where they design products for export all over the world with their specialist 3D printers. The small business has one of the largest 3D printers in the West Midlands.
Ian Heaford, owner and director of Woodhall Products, said:
It was great to have the leader visit our business so we can showcase what we do. We’re a family run firm, in the heart of the Black Country, and we are very proud of that. The replica anchor was designed and made completely on site and is just one example of the many things we can do here.
Pictured: Councillor Patrick Harley with Ian Heaford, and the model Titanic anchor made using the 3D printer