A STEELY determination saw Darwen-based fabrication firm WEC Group pick up its fourth Lancashire Telegraph business award in a row.

The firm, which last year scooped deal of the year and is a former business of the year winner, clinched manufacturer of the year at Friday night’s glitzy ceremony.

Group director Wayne Wild said he was delighted with the firm’s winning streak.

He said: “It’s our fourth award on the trot. Each year it has been a different type of award, but manufacturing is very important to us.

“We’ve been up against some difficult opposition as well. It’s very rewarding really.”

The company, based in Junction Street, now employs more than 400 people.

And its reach is wide, having secured a contract to provide CCTV camera poles to high-profile oil refineries in Kuwait, as well as various military sites in the Middle East and North Africa.

Its growth this year has been aided by the acquisition of a 30,000sq ft unit at Walker Park in Blackburn.

The unit was bought for £1.5million, with a further £500,000 invested to buy overhead cranes and customise the building to WEC’s needs.

The new facility will house the relocating machining division, which comprises companies including Hi-Spec CNC and Nutter Aircrafts.

Mr Wild said: “The economy is still tough. We’ve agreed to purchase a new site up at Walker Park for WEC Machining Division and expanding the current site for new ventures such as log fire stoves, which will be building UK-based manufactured stoves for sale across the UK and abroad.”

WEC is on track to achieve its target turnover for the year of £40million to £42million.