History
The story of Welding Alloys is one of passion, courage, and innovation. Our founder Dr. Jan J.K. Stekly was a dedicated businessman and metallurgist (PhD Cambridge) who became involved in cored wires in their infancy in the 1960s.
Our company was born in 1966, when Jan, with the support of his wife Cathy, courageously set out on his own and built his first fused flux crushing machine in a humble agricultural bungalow in Fowlmere, England. The flux business was an immediate success and allowed Jan to quickly expand into hardfacing wires, something for which we would ultimately become a recognised global leader and innovator.
Often described as a global citizen, a people-person, and a multi-linguist, Jan continued to expand our production capability into new continents, countries, and locations, giving the company a strong competitive advantage. Today, the business is led by Jan’s son Dominic, who continues to build on the values and unique culture of innovation and dedicated customer focus, first established over 55 years ago by Jan Stekly.
1966
Foundation of Welding Alloys Ltd at Fowlmere, near Cambridge (UK) by Jan Stekly.
1968
We start producing hardfacing cored wires.
1973
Welding Alloys France opens; the Welding Alloys Group is born.
1974
We design and manufacture our first generation of welding equipment.
1976
We establish our first African company - Welding Alloys South Africa.
1980
We open our first company in Asia - Welding Alloys Far East.
1982
Welding Alloys Deutschland opens
1985
Growth continues in Europe; Welding Alloys Italiana opens.
1986
Welding Alloys USA is the first subsidiary to open in the Americas.
1990
We create the first super duplex cored wires.
1993
Welding Alloys Polska opens.
1993
Welding Alloys Russia opens.
1995
Welding Alloys Brazil opens.
1996
We develop new technology for continuous manufacturing of seamless cored wires.
1997
We launch our second generation of fully digital welding machines - WAMS D2.
1998
We develop basic flux cored nickel base, duplex, and austenitic stainless-steel wires.
1999
We expand our presence in Asia; Welding Alloys Japan opens.
1999
We develop cored wire compositions included in important international standards.
1999
Our subsidiary in the USA expands, a new 22 500 square foot wire production facility opens in Kentucky.
2000
Welding Alloys Thailand opens.
2001
Welding Alloys Argentina opens.
2002
Acquisition of Speedmet in Turkey: Aluminium consumable manufacturer.
2003
We continue to grow the business in Asia; Welding Alloys China opens.
2004
Welding Alloys Panamericana opens in Mexico.
2004
Launch of patented Hardlite wear plates.
2007
Welding Alloys España opens.
2007
Third generation of fully digital welding machines (D3 and D3-Touch).
2008
Welding Alloys Vietnam opens.
2010
Welding Alloys Morocco opens.
2010
Welding Alloys Taiwan opens.
2011
Acquisition of Alunox in Germany: Consumable distributor.
2011
Welding Alloys Turkey opens.
2011
Welding Alloys USA purchases Track-weld Industries: innovator and leader in rail maintenance.
2011
Welding Alloys South Asia opens in India.
2012
Acquisition of Dalforsån in Sweden: Steel market roll manufacturer.
2012
Acquisition of Produr in France: Advanced solution provider.
2012
Welding Alloys Far East relocates to an integrated wire production and service facility.
2013
Welding Alloys France celebrates 40 years.
2015
Reptec de Guatemala and Welding Alloys form a partnership to better address the sugar and cement industries in Central America.
2016
We continue to grow in the Americas; Welding Alloys Peru opens.
2016
Welding Alloys USA celebrates 30 years.
2016
We celebrate our 50th anniversary.
2017
Additional investment into Speedmet - new production facility with the latest technology equipment.
2018
Welding Alloys USA develops MillCarb technology, wear protection for mill grinding
components.
2019
Welding Alloys (FZE) opens in UAE.
2022
Welding Alloys USA opens a new 15 000 square foot service centre in Florence Kentucky.
2022
We develop ROBODUR F, a range of wires that are manufactured using a more environmentally friendly process.
2023
Acquisition of Premtech in the UK: Wear-resistant solutions for the steel industry.