Our History

The Beginning

Chartway was founded in 1992 by Richard Carter. The business philosophy established by Richard was to provide a high range of high quality precision engineering services with first class customer care.

It started with a range of Brown and Sharpe Single Spindle Cam-Auto Machines producing components primarily in brass.

In those early days of growing the business the significant clients include Manufacturers of Brake Systems for Road Trailers; The Rail Industry; Sport and Leisure Industry (Snooker Cue Connectors); Plastic Injection Moulding (Threaded Inserts); Heating and Ventilation.

Growing Steadily

The business grows steadily throughout the Nineties providing precision machined components to a wide variety of industries.

During this period, we began supply (in small volumes) to a major boiler manufacturer.

Major Client

By 2001, the same boiler manufacturer is now taking a range of over 60 different bespoke parts in annual volumes from a few thousand to over half a million.

The effect of this enhances the company’s reputation; resulting in more major UK boiler manufacturers choosing Chartway as their preferred supplier for bespoke turned parts.

Bespoke Components

1000

Annual Volumes

Asia Supply

Throughout the first eighteen months of the new millennium the company start to see a significant change in purchasing trends brought about by competition from China. More and more clients are looking to source from there and this is beginning to slow the company’s growth.

In response Chartway locate a source of supply in China and by the end of 2002 has established a trading partnership called Chartway (Asia) Ltd, producing hot forged and machined components for the UK and European market.

Components moved to China

New Machinery

During the next two years over 60% of the brass components made at the UK factory on the cam-auto machines are moved to China.

The cam-autos are replaced by modern CNC Sliding Head machines allowing Chartway to offer both fine-limit bar turned components from the UK, as well as hot forged and machined parts from the Far East.

On the Move

In 2008, Chartway moved to a larger premises in Brierley Hill, where we are still located now, in order to ensure that the company can continue it’s growth alongside key customer.

Continued Investment

Chartway continued to invest in improving the business, with the purchase of a Keyence Measurement System and an ultrasonic cleaner to keep parts contaminant free.

2012 – Change of Ownership

2012 saw a change in the ownership of the company with John Clark and Karen Clark purchasing the company from the previous owner, Richard Carter.

2019 to 2020

In 2019, the management team was restructured to focus on new growth areas for the business; whilst maintaining our high level of care which our existing customers expect.

This continues in 2020 where Chartway sells it’s UK fleet of sliding head machines to concentrate on sourcing and supply chain solutions.

Change in Directors

In 2021, Chris Jones and Emma Jones become company directors, as Managing Director and Sales Director, respectively. This allows John and Karen Clark to retire into the role of Chairman and Chairwoman of the company.

Chris Jones

Managing Director

Emma Jones

Sales Director

CMM

Chartway invested in a new Co-ordinate Measurement Machine (CMM) which improved and enhanced the level of quality control offered.