A. J Wells & Sons Ltd

A. J Wells & Sons Ltd is a privately owned, family run British engineering company that specialises in the manufacture and installation of signage, cladding and vitreous enamel products. The company also designs and manufactures wood burning stoves and accessories. Run by second and third generations of the family, we are dedicated to providing products of enduring design and of the highest quality.

It all started in 1972, when Alfred Wells and two of his sons, started a small engineering business in Niton on the Isle of Wight. Over 50 years we have grown from our original small factory of around 1500 sq. ft to our current site of over 50,000 sq. ft. We have always been keen to provide local employment on the Isle of Wight and have seen the number of our employees rise from the original 3 to well over 100. We are very proud of our workforce who have rewarded us by staying loyal to the company, with many staff having worked with us for over 30 years. This brings stability to the business ensuring that pride in the company and the quality of our products is maintained. The owners of the company are Christians and Christian values and principles underpin the way we do business and run the company.

Our Story

1972

The company is established by Alfred J Wells and two of his sons. Starting out as a small engineering business in Niton on the Isle of Wight, the company specialised in tractor and machinery repairs.

1974

A combination of the 70s oil crisis and the spread of Dutch Elm Disease in the UK led to the trio to produce a small woodburning stove as an alternative way to help people heat their homes.

1980

1980 The Charnwood range of stoves continued to grow throughout the 70s and 80s and were sold across the UK. More family members joined and the company moved the factory to Newport and invested in machinery and equipment in order to bring the manufacturing under one roof.

1990

A vitreous enamel plant was installed enabling the stoves to be enamelled in-house. This major investment was the start of a new arm for the company: A.J Wells Vitreous Enamellers.

1992

The company began to produce signage specified for its long lasting and durable finish. One of the first major contracts included London’s iconic Barbican Centre. Then began a relationship with TFL - producing vitreous enamel signs, diagrams and cladding for the iconic London Underground.

1999

The company began to export stoves and signage across Europe and beyond including Japan and South Africa.

2007

The company manufactured much of the new DLR signage and London Overground in preparation for the London 2012 Olympics.

2009

The company was awarded the Queens Awards for Enterprise: International Trade.

2011

The company undertook further architectural cladding work including the manufacture and installation of two of Europe’s largest vitreous enamel art pieces for Aylesbury bus terminal and London’s Edgware Road Station.

2013

The company feature as one of the faces of the Business is Great Britain campaign.

2014

A.J Wells establish Vlaze: a new brand focusing on vitreous enamel for the living environment. Debuting enamel fireplace panels and heatshields for stove surrounds in collaboration with Charnwood.

2015

Further commissions continue for restaurants, hotels and residential projects with a range of leading designers and architects including Thomas Heatherwick, Tom Dixon, Yinka Ilori and the Soho House Group.

2017

Work with TFL expands into Crossrail (Elizabeth Line). The company design, engineer, manufacture and install much of the signage and cladding for the new stations across the network. Work is also undertaken for RATP and the Paris Metro.

2020

The Vlaze Adapt range of indoor/outdoor modular kitchens and furniture is launched across the globe in the UK, Europe and USA.

Today

Today A.J Wells continue to design and make stoves, signage, cladding and other products exporting worldwide. We remain a privately owned British manufacturer and design house run by the second and third generation family members and employing around 150 people.

Welcome to A.J Wells