The Watts Group

The Watts Group of companies is a very rare thing - a dynamic and modern company that has a strong sense of history.

Reliability, design, quality
As the largest manufacturer of industrial tyres and wheels in Britain - with probably the largest range of solid and resilient tyres in the world - Watts products are associated with reliability, advanced design and outstanding quality.

With more than a century of business in the Lydney area, its services to the transport industry, industrial wheels and industrial tyres have all contributed to the Group's outstanding reputation today. The growth of the Watts Group is in direct relation to the demands from the markets served and, of course, to success in serving those markets.

Today it has a number of international joint ventures for the manufacture of tyres but the centre of operations remains at Lydney, the nucleus of the company's global network.

The workforce
Up-to-the-minute plant and computer technology coupled with a highly qualified and dedicated workforce continue to keep the company at the leading edge of compound and industrial tyre technology. In the words of Group Managing Director, John Thurston, "People are our strength. We have always relied upon the energy, expertise and enterprise of a truly dedicated workforce. We're proud of the fact that across the Group our people are capable of accepting responsibilities and are always ready to respond to new challenges and initiatives”.

The MD adds, "Watts is steeped in history. But for all our links with the past we are very much a progressive and forward-thinking company. Watts have been in Lydney for over 100 years and if there is still demand for our products in another 100 years, we'll still be here serving our market."

Export markets
Watts exports to key markets in Australia, the Middle and Far East, the USA and the rest of Europe. Another thriving element of the group of businesses is Watts Urethane Products, with its manufacturing based in Lydney. It has been a major UK processor of castable polyurethane and Ultrathane for over 25 years.

This long-term success has been achieved by meeting the needs of customers as diverse as high performance motor racing teams and submarine cable operators. The company is committed to the highest standards of Health & Safety and is an ISO 9002 quality accredited company.