Our History
Whiteland Engineering Limited was established in 1956 by Walter Hanson Whiteland and more than seven decades later, remains a family-owned enterprise with the third generation upholding the family legacy.
Originally specialising in the design and manufacture of Purpose Machines and the develpment of the WELmatic the company possesses a deep understanding of the precision required to create specialized components. Today, it directs its expertise towards subcontract machining services, tool making, specialised components and mechanical assemblies, employing a highly skilled workforce of nearly 30 individuals, and serving various industries with their proprietary products. The WELmatic (specifically the WELmatic 1000) was an automatic connector welding machine designed for battery assembly lines. It was a hallmark product of Whiteland Engineering Limited, a firm founded in 1956 by Walter Hanson Whiteland in Bideford, Devon.
The Welmatic was engineered to automate the critical "through-the-partition" welding process in the manufacturing of lead-acid batteries:
Automatic Connector Welding: It carried out the welding of connections between battery elements. Testing Integration: It often functioned alongside a Short Circuit Testing Instrument, which detected defects in battery plates or separators before the welding occurred. Hydraulic Operation: The machine typically used a pair of tongs that closed hydraulically with a horizontal movement to perform the weld using high-current pulses.
Production Speed: As part of a larger assembly line (often in partnership with companies like Sovema), it could contribute to a production speed of up to 6 batteries per minute.
Walter Whiteland initially focused on designing and building "Purpose Machines"—bespoke engineering solutions for specific manufacturing problems. The WELmatic was one of our most successful proprietary designs, eventually becoming a standard in battery factories worldwide.
Today, Whiteland Engineering Ltd has shifted its focus from building these complete machines to providing high-precision subcontract machining, tool making, and mechanical assemblies for industries like aerospace, automotive, energy, autosport, MOD, factories and medical.
Over the years, Whiteland Engineering Ltd has consistently evolved to deliver Precision Engineering Solutions of Excellence.
Throughout the years, we have undertaken numerous projects across a wide array of sectors, including but not limited to: the Ministry of Defence, printing and packaging manufacturers, rail, automotive, oil and gas, alternative power generation, pumps and compressors, aerospace, marine, medical, motorsport, tobacco, and specialized vehicle manufacturers.
In 2022 we moved premises which enabled us to grow our Capabilities and range of extended services we knew would enhance our range of services. Our company boasts a well-equipped machine shop and continually seeks to enhance its capabilities by investing in cutting-edge technology when upgrading equipment, positioning us effectively to take advantage of future business opportunities.
Out of necessity we also built our own software system, WESL Datahub which is a proprietary Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software system. While Whiteland Engineering is primarily known for precision machining and the history of "Welmatic" battery machines, Datahub was first created over 15 years ago to manage our subcontract machining operations. We have since developed this into a commercial product which is sold to other engineering and manufacturing firms.
Key Features of WESL Datahub. The software is designed as a "built by engineers, for engineers" solution to oversee every facet of a manufacturing business:
Core Business Management: Handles quoting, purchasing, sales order processing, estimating, invoicing, and accounting.
Production & Quality: Includes modules for manufacturing planning, shop floor data collection, stock control, and quality assurance.
Operational Tools: Features document control, a built-in diary system (DateKeeper), HR management, and CRM/SRM capabilities.
Traceability: Provides critical traceability for quality standards Datahub ticks all of the boxes for ISO9001 accreditation.
Learn more about our comprehensive range of capabilities on our own dedicated page or contact us to discuss how we can help you with your requirements and needs including our Datahub ERP software system.
Our move of premises
In 2022, we moved premises from our building in Torrington Lane to Unit 5, Alverdiscott Road Industrial Estate this move enabled us to increase our Capabilities and Capacity with more complex machinery and extended services.
The move took a while to complete but it has ensured the future of Whiteland Engineering Ltd., by increasing our capabilities with the purchase of new machinery and to be able to offer facilities such as, Powder Coating, Hot Chemical Blacking, EDM Wiring, 3D Printing, Aqua Blasting, Laser Etching, etc.
As part of the move we were also able to structure our environmental awareness and bring in new processes and equipment to achieve a higher standard.
A Promising Time Awaits us
NEW -
Unit 5, Alverdiscott industrial Estate
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New Technologies:
Datahub ERP Software
Our own software designed by Neil Whiteland, Managing Director, of Whiteland Engineering Ltd runs the business via a large shop floor interactive screen and via the engineers individual IT devices.
New Enviromental Policies:
ECO Compacting
The newer factory ensures we are compliant with eco waste handling which we embrace with compactors and other equally useful tools and equipment
Our Core Beliefs
Whiteland Engineering Ltd takes great pride in cultivating and enhancing relationships with all our suppliers and customers, which is vital for the ongoing growth of our business.
Our commitment to professionalism, combined with a strong understanding of the latest advancements in machining technology, enables us to provide world-class solutions tailored to your requirements.
We go beyond mere production; we offer comprehensive engineering support to assist you in developing the optimal component solutions for your business. We are confident that we possess all the qualities necessary to deliver a complete engineering service.
Our seasoned machinists have extensive experience working with a diverse range of materials, including steel, stainless steel, aluminum, brass, phosphor bronze, cast iron, and more, crafting bespoke parts for various industries.
We are capable of supplying everything from one-off precision machined prototypes to large-scale production runs.
To support your business, we offer reduced lead times thanks to our flexible working arrangements and in-house transport capabilities.