A Distinguished History
Our equipment, manufactured to exacting quality standards, is exported world-wide
Quality Assured Products
Established in 1790, Griffin-Woodhouse has a distinguished history and globally acknowledged as a leader in design, manufacture and supply of offshore mooring equipment. We work closely with clients and offer a technical advisory service as standard under our contract review process.
Our quality policy includes a commitment to exceed expectations through a culture of quality, by building strong relationships, being responsive to customer needs and communicating effectively.
The implementation of ISO 9001:2015 is a strategic decision based on business management, process improvement and client reassurance however, the company has maintained a robust quality system since the early 1950s.
Exceeding Expectations
Honors
The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise are the UK’s most prestigious awards for business success. The ‘International Trade’ award recognises companies that are able to demonstrate substantial growth in overseas earnings and commercial success, to levels that are outstanding for the goods or services concerned and for the size of the applicant’s operations.
Having served the domestic market until the early 1970s Griffin-Woodhouse set about developing a global presence and today world-wide exports account for more than 70% of turnover. In recognition of its outstanding success Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II bestowed her Award for Export Achievement on Griffin-Woodhouse for the first time in 1983 and again in 1997 and 1998. This honour is limited to few British companies, of which significantly fewer can boast having been recognised on three separate occasions.
Trademarks
The Griffin-Woodhouse trademark was registered in the UK in 1947 and the GWEC brand is recognised world-wide as a mark of British quality. The acronym stands for ‘Griffin-Woodhouse Electric Cable’ but don’t be confused, we do indeed manufacture chain which has historically been referred to as ‘cable’. The ‘electric’ component refers to the advent of a flash-butt welding method introduced less than 100 years ago meaning, for the majority of our history chain has been welded or ‘forged’ by hand.
The company’s logo includes a hand drawing depicting GWEC’s unique ‘Integral Stud Link Chain’ invented by John Timmington in 1967, but which is sadly no longer manufactured by us. The logo was updated in 2021 to present a contemporary feel, adding depth through subtle modifications whilst remaining true to the original.
HOWEVER AND WHEREVER YOU NEED US
A Global Perspective
Griffin-Woodhouse has a truly world-wide presence. Whilst our products are exported to more than 50 countries, local support is the foundation of our business. Therefore, GWEC’s agents are carefully selected to possess the knowledge, experience and ability to support both us and you.
If you would like an introduction to one of our local representatives, need expert advice, want solutions tailored to your needs or merely wish to source products most suited to your budget please contact us for further information.
Proud History
Griffin-Woodhouse has always been located in the heart of the ‘Black Country’, an area to the west of Birmingham synonymous with the birth of the Industrial Revolution in Britain around 1760. The region today comprises four Metropolitan District Council areas including Sandwell, in which Cradley Heath is located.
The Black Country gained its name in the mid-nineteenth century due to the smoke from many thousands of ironworking foundries, forges and the abundance of coal in shallow, 30ft. thick seams.
The region’s flag features a chain to represent its manufacturing heritage whilst the white shape in the background recalls the iconic glass cones and iron furnaces that featured in the architectural landscape. The red and black colours recall the famous description of the Black Country by Elihu Burrit, American Consul to Birmingham in 1862, that it was “black by day and red by night” owing to the smoke and fires of industry.
Other authors, from Charles Dickens to William Shenstone refer to the intensity of manufacturing in the Black Country and its effect on the landscape and its people.
Birth of British Chain Manufacturing
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