Island Life Magazine Ltd October/ November 2012 | Page 40

ISLAND LIFE

Duke of Edinburgh visits
family of leading Newport firm
Above: Hugh Wells (left) and
John Wells (right) accompany
HRH Prince Philip on a tour
of the Charnwood Stove
production facility.

On his recent visit to the Island, shortly before he

of AJ Wells, and employs around 160 people. It

had to be admitted to hospital, HRH the Duke of

produces tens of thousands of stoves each year and

Edinburgh visited the Newport premises of A.J Wells

is the main supplier of vitreous enamel signage for

& Sons.

London Underground.

Starting with a tour of the Charnwood stove
manufacturing facility and vitreous enamelling plant

turnover to around 12 different countries and in 2009

he was shown the processes involved in making a

received The Queen's Award for Enterprise in the

woodburning stove followed by the making of an

International Trade category.

enamelled sign.
He was introduced to the Wells family, the

www.visitislandlife.com

The Duke unveiled a plaque to commemorate the
visit and was then presented with a bottle of ‘Slow

apprentices, longstanding employees, international

Burner’ ale – a beer that was brewed by Island

sales representatives and some of the design team.

brewers Yates to celebrate the company’s 40 years

AJ Wells & Sons is run by the sons and grandsons

40

The company export around 20 per cent of its

in business.