
1904
Where it
all started
The combination of Almor and Wellman businesses within this division can trace their histories back to 1904, and incorporates the businesses and technology from several well respected UK furnace builders.
Wellman Smith Owen Engineering Corporation, a large British engineering company derived from Samuel T.Wellman, a steel industry pioneer. It was based at Parnell House on Wilton Road in London, next to London Victoria Station supplying furnaces to the British Steel Industry.
In August 1965 it split into several subsidiaries, including Wellman Machines (at Darlaston, Staffs), Wellman Incandescent Furnace Company (at Darleston, Staffs), Wellman Steelworks Engineering, and Wellman Incandescent International.
Wellman became a private company in December 1997
The Almor Group bought Wellman Furnaces in 2015

1917
Wild Barfield
Wild Barfield (incorporating Barlow Whitney) was established in 1917
Acquired by the Almor Group in 1998
Design and manufacture of industrial furnaces and ovens
Furnaces services and replacement parts



1919
Wellman, Smith, Owen Engineering Corporation
Incorporated as a private company

1924
The Wellman Company was made public.

1938
Wellman acquired Basic Industries Equipment Company

WWII
Constructed many plants for making shells, some of which were exported; also made and fitted bridge laying equipment to tanks

1947
Acquired the shares of Wellman Bibby Co Ltd, specialists in torsional problems in power transmission
1952
Opened branch engineering workshop at Kirkby in Liverpool and design office in Glasgow

1960
Formed Wellman Smith Owen (Furnaces) Ltd

1961
Incandescent LTD & Metalectric
Both companies were acquired by Wellman



1965
Wellman Engineering Corporation established

1966
Brayshaw Furnaces were acquired by the Wellman Company


1976
Mormetfabs were established
Mormet fabs - alloy fabricator, heat treatment fixtures and furniture
This is now the location of the Wellman facility and AlmorTipton, near Birmingham


1978
Wellman aquired British Furnaces


1980
BIRLEC was acquired by Wellman


1982
Gibbons Furnaces was acquired by Wellman


1984
Heat Treat Services established - aquired by Almor in 2004
Alloy fabricator heat treatment equipment
Furnace refractory services
Furnace site services


1998
Wild Barfield incorporating Barlow Whitney joined the Almor Group



Marathon Process Controls were established

2004
Almor Partner Aichelin
Sealed Quench Furnace installations
Pusher Tray Type Continuous Furnaces with Controlled Atmosphere
Continuous Conveyor Belt Furnaces
Ring Hearth Furnaces for Continuous Carburising and Press or Oil Hardening
Continuous Roller Hearth Furnaces
Rotary Hearth Furnaces with Controlled Atmosphere


2005
CGE was acquired by Wellman

2009
The Almor Group acquired Mormetfabs based in Tipton.
Tipton the new Head Office for Wellman Furnaces


2013
Wellman Thermal Services consisted of 3 parts: Wellman Robey for boilers, Wellman Furnaces for Furnace Engineering, and Wellman Process Engineering for Vapourisors and crystallisation plant.


2015
Almor Ltd acquired Wellman Furnaces
