Timeline

The Wells family move to the Island

Alfred J Wells with his wife Eileen and their nine children. Standing from left: Alistair, Pete, Alan, John, Tim and Phil. Seated from left: Alfred with Roger, Eileen, Pam and Paul.

Niton

Established in 1972, by Alfred Wells and two of his sons. Started as a small engineering business in Niton on the Isle of Wight.

Ironworks

In addition to tractor and machinery repairs the company diversified into ironworks, creating gates, railings and fire escapes for homes and hotels across the island.

Ironworks & Fire Hoods

Work also included freestanding fireplaces.

The Beacon

A combination of the 70s oil crisis and the spread of Dutch Elm Disease in the UK led to the company producing their first woodburning stove. Oil prices had rocketed but there was a plentiful supply of wood so consumers were looking at alternative ways in which to heat their homes. The Charnwood Beacon Stove was born

The Beacon Brochure

The first stove leaflet was block printed by Island printers Crossprint – the same company we use to print our brochures today.

The Beacon

The first marketing image complete with dog.

The Charnwood CH

The success of the Beacon led to development of a second stove the CH:. an 11KW stove with a vitreous enamel exterior and double glazed doors.

The Charnwood CHB

Charnwood’s first purpose built boiler stove, the CHB was launched providing enough heat for hot water and 6 radiators.

Westminster Lane, Newport

A.J Wells & Sons soon out-grew the Niton workshop and moved to Westminster Lane in Newport.

The Charnwood LW

The range of stoves continued to grow. The LW was launched in 1981 designed for the smaller room

Stove Shows

The Charnwood brand became more established as the company exhibited at agricultural shows across the UK

The Charnwood SW

The SW was added to the range of stoves to cover potential heating requirement from 6kW to 11kW

Local Press

“During the last 6 years, the partnership of A.J Wells & Sons has established and successfully developed the business of assembling and marketing multi-fuel fires, selling widely at home and abroad. Throughout this period, the Bank [Lloyds] has fully supported this progress with essential finance and a range of other services”

The Charnwood CW 50 / 50B

The Charnwood CW range was introduced starting with the freestanding CW50 and CW50B. This range included an innovative multi-fuel grate for burning many types of fuel.

The Charnwood CW 40 / 40B

The CW 40 and CW 40B followed shortly afterwards.

The Charnwood CW 20i / 45iB / 50iB

Further additions to the CW range were introduced. These were designed to be inset into the wall.

The Charnwood CW 20i / 45iB / 50iB

Wellington the Cocker Spaniel became the first ‘face’ of Charnwood

The Charnwood Fireflow

Charnwood launched a revolutionary new stove concept. The fireflow was a self refuelling and ash clearing stove.

Fireflow

The fireflow could be operated by remote control to control the amount of anthracite added to the fire to increase or decrease heat and flame. Weather man Michael Fish with Philip Wells.

New Vitreous Enamel Plant

In 1990 A.J Wells & Sons installed their own vitreous enamel plant enabling stoves to be enamelled in house.This major investment was the start of a new direction for the company: A.J Wells & Sons Vitreous Enamellers.

The Charnwood Fireclass

The Fireclass was bought to the market. European inspired with a single, vitreous enamel door.

The Charnwood Country 8

The Charnwood Country 8 was launched. The new range had an exceptionally cleanburn airwash system and sophisticated riddling grate. Comedian Tommy Cannon with his Country 8

The Country 8

The Charnwood LA 20i / 30iB

The LA (Local Authority) range was developed. This full central heating range was designed specifically for business and council properties.

The LA

The Charnwood Country 12

The success of the Country 8 led on to the expansion of the Country range. The 12kW Country 12 was designed for bigger homes and open plan living areas.

The Country 12

The Charnwood Country 6

The popular Country 6 was added to the Country range of stoves.

The Country 6

Factory move to Bishops Way, Newport

The business outgrew the Westminster Lane site and in 1996 the company moved the entire outfit to one building on Bishops Way, Newport.

Anki Chimney Systems

A.J Wells & Sons expanded the stove business by offering pumice chimney systems imported from Denmark.

Anki

The Charnwood Country 4

The iconic Country 4 was launched.

The Country 4

The Charnwood Country 14B

The Country range expanded yet again with the launch of a full central heating boiler model – The Country 14B

Charnwood France

The company began to investigate the French stove market. The first sales to France were made.

The Charnwood SLX

Charnwood introduced the new SLX multifuel range. A contemporary enamelled twin door stove available as a roomheater or boiler model.

The SLX 20

The Charnwood OLX

Launched alongside the SLX the OLX was an oil fired central heating boiler model.

Bodj Products

Charnwood began working alongside Bright Arrows Development Ltd in Cambodia to develop a range of ethically sourced fireside accessories and hearth tiles to complement the stove.

Bodj Website

The Charnwood Island I & II

The Island range was launched at the Royal Yacht Squadron in Cowes on the Isle of Wight. Pheobe the black Labrador was unveiled as the new ‘face’ of Charnwood.

Island I

Island II

Charnwood Premier Dealers

Coinciding with the launch of the Island range, Charnwood established it’s Premier Dealership scheme carefully selecting the best UK and Irish stove shops to sell exclusive Charnwood products.

The Charnwood Grosvenor

Based on the Country 4 the Grosvenor gas fired stove was brought to market.

Charnwood Exhibitions

Charnwood continued to tour the UK’s agricultural shows with live display show trailers.

Charnwood France

The company exhibited for the first time at the Batimat trade fair in Paris. Soon after a permanent French office was established.

The Charnwood Island III

The 12kW Island III was added to the range.

Island III

Charnwood Japan

Export markets continued to grow for Charnwood. Moving into Japan.

Charnwood South Africa

…and into South Africa.

Charnwood Rebranded

The new Charnwood logo and branding was launched.

Exhibitions

Charnwood continue to exhibit internationally and across the UK.

The Charnwood Cove 2 & 3

The Charnwood Cove range was launched at Priory Bay Country House. Over 100 guests from around the world arrived by Hovercraft – landing on the beach.

The Charnwood Cove 3

The Charnwood Cove 3 was designed to burn a 50cm log – ideal for the rapidly expanding French market.

Cove 3

Bodj Basketware

Charnwood began working with a number of small basket producers to add to their fair trade fireside range.

The Charnwood Cove 1

The small 5kW Cove 1 completed the Cove range.

Cove 1

The Charnwood Island IIIB

The Island IIIB full central heating stove was launched.

Island IIIB

The Charnwood Country 16B

The Country 16B full central heating stove was launched.

Country 16B

The Charnwood Cove 2B

The Cove 2B full central heating stove was launched.

Cove 2B

The British Design Awards

Working in partnership with Elle Decoration Magazine, Graham & Brown and Kuchen Lab, Charnwood hosted the British Design Awards 2008. As part of the publicity Charnwood’s stoves were photographed at London’s Wallace Collection.

Wallace Collection

As part of the publicity Charnwood’s stoves were photographed at London’s Wallace Collection.

Investment

Charnwood undertake a £3 million plan to streamline production.

Launch of the Charnwood Tor

The Charnwood Tor was unveiled at a spectacular lake side ceremony at Wootton Creek on the Isle of Wight. The Tor was Charnwood’s most innovative stove to date. A freestanding contemporary fire with 3 large glass viewing panels.

Tor

The Queens Awards for Enterprise

Awarded the Queens Awards for Enterprise: International Trade

The Charnwood Tor Pico

The Tor Pico, a scaled down version of the Tor, was launched.

Tor Pico

Charnwood Island store stand & high legs

Optional store stands and high legs for the Island range were introduced.

The New Charnwood Dog

Rona was introduced and trained up as the new ‘face’ as Phoebe nears retirement.

The C-Four

The C-Four is unveiled and becomes Charnwood’s fastest selling stove to date.

C-Four

The Fat Lip

Bodj’s latest basket the ‘Fat Lip’ designed by New Zealand designer Chris Jackson launches to rave reviews winning two international design awards.

The Fat Lip

Charnwood in North America & Canada

Charnwood move into North America and Canada.

Charnwood Island IICT

Charnwood launch the island IICT – a new cooking top stove designed to work in open-plan living spaces where lounging, cooking and dining areas are merged.

Island IICT

Launch of the C-Five

Similar output to the C-Four but with landscape proportions.

C-Five

Launch of the C-Six

Similar proportions to the C-Four but higher oputput.

C-Six

Launch of the C-Seven

Similar proportions to the C-Five but larger with a higher output.

C-Seven

Launch of the C-Eight

The largest stove in the C-Series.

C-Eight

Launch of the Bay 5 and bay 5 GT

An award winning insert wood burning stove.

Bay 5

Launch of the Charnwood Arc

The Charnwood Arc is a revolutionary new multi-fuel stove. It simplifies the process of burning wood and smokeless fuels setting the bench mark for a new generation of modern, clean burning stoves.

Arc

Launch of the Charnwood Skye

The Charnwood Skye is a new state-of-the-art stove with a remarkably efficient combustion system. It’s innovative burn technology ensures efficiencies of up to 86% and exceeds the new Eco Design standards and Defra exemption limits; allowing wood to be burnt cleanly in smoke control areas.

Skye