2021 has been another challenging year, but from a business perspective, there have been some significant steps taken forward and some good times along the way. While most people are understandably happy to see the back of 2021, we encourage reviewing all positives, however small, because they hold added weight considering the context of adversity in which they were achieved. By doing so it’s possible to create and carry forward a little optimism for the new year ahead. In this spirit, we’ll look at some of our business highlights for the year.
New Investment: Automated Storage and Laser Cutting System
With more emphasis being placed on the home environment in the last couple of years, we have seen a huge increase in demand for these aspects of the business. We were very pleased to announce this year that due to this surge in demand we could make a significant investment in our infrastructure with the installation of a state-of-the-art automated storage and laser cutting system.
This expands our ability to prototype and manufacture designs with even greater complexity. With a storage capacity of up to 87 tonnes of both processed and unprocessed sheet material, it increases our cutting capacity by over 100%. Automation of such a high volume allows for 24/7 cutting and enables rapid part turnaround. Read more…
Crossrail Elizabeth Line
The Elizabeth line railway, built by Crossrail for Transport for London, is now spanning more than 100km across the capital. The railway serves 41 stations including 10 major new London stations from Paddington to Abbey Wood. A.J Wells & Sons designed, developed, manufactured, and installed a range of signage and cladding solutions across the network including Tottenham Court Road, Paddington, Whitechapel and Canary Warf. Read more…
TfL Northern Line Extension
London saw the first major tube expansion this century open to the public on Monday 20th September 2021. A.J Wells & Sons are proud to have surveyed, designed, manufactured, and installed the signage throughout the 1 billion pound Transport for London Northern Line Extension (NLE) project.
The NLE extension will serve two new stations; Nine Elms and Battersea Power Station. The whole area is undergoing a massive redevelopment, with homes being built and many jobs created. Read more…
The Charnwood Wellbeing Study 2021
This year we conducted a pioneering survey of stove users to better understand the significant and unique benefits that wood-burning stoves provide for their owners and family’s wellbeing. The response was phenomenal, with 1227 users providing deep insight into the wider benefits of owning and using a stove.
This survey is the first of its kind (that we know of at least) and brings real weight to the argument in favour of wood-burning stoves beyond their already strong heating and environmental credentials. Read more…
The Charnwood Cranmore
This year we were proud to release the Charnwood Cranmore, revealed at the virtual dealer event in June. It is traditional in style while using the very latest in clean burn technology. The stove’s pleasing proportions make it well suited to a traditional fireplace and with its large picture window and mesmerising flame pattern it is an ideal replacement for an open fire.
The Cranmore uses our clean-burn BLU technology and is exceptionally efficient, with a level 5 clearSkies rating, while exceeding all minimum criteria for Eco Design Ready status. Victorian, Georgian, and Regency period properties all provide a perfect backdrop for the traditional aesthetic of the Cranmore. The elegant and timeless design blended with the latest technology makes the Charnwood Cranmore nothing short of a modern classic. Read more…
Charnwood.US
We launched Charnwood.us to help us reach our customers and grow our market across the pond. As part of this launch, we were proud to reveal another new stove – the revolutionary Charnwood Skye E700. It has a new intelligent microprocessor that is set to revolutionize the way we burn wood. Load the fire, close the door, set your room temperature using the Charnwood app on your phone and let the stove do the rest. Simply blissful!
The Skye E700 is coming soon to the U.S.A & Canada and then to other markets. Read more…
Charnwood Dealer Event 2021
Whilst we missed seeing you all in person, the team really made this year’s Charnwood dealer event (albeit virtual) a special one. With the numbered gift boxes and the big reveal of a new Charnwood stove, it was certainly one to remember. However, there’s no doubt we are crossing all fingers and toes so that we can meet in the flesh next year to celebrate our 50th anniversary in style!
50th anniversary next year
It is fitting that our 50th anniversary coincides with significant industry-wide changes due to Ecodesign regulations coming into force next year. In the 1970s the founders’ innovations shaped the stove industry, helping people heat their homes more efficiently amongst great uncertainty caused by the Dutch Elm Disease and Oil crises. Now, in 2022, with even greater global challenges to face, Charnwood will hold on tightly to its core tenets and continue to innovate and lead the way towards another highly significant 50-year milestone, in Net Zero 2050.
Everyone connected to A.J Wells and Charnwood would like to wish you all a wonderful Christmas and a very happy New Year!