Unlocking growth, new markets and a £16k+ grant: Wells Performance Materials’ journey with WMG
Monday 29th June 2026
Unlocking growth, new markets and a £16k+ grant: Wells Performance Materials’ journey with WMG
West Midlands-based Wells Performance Materials is the UK’s largest independent additive masterbatch manufacturer, creating materials that enhance the performance and properties of polymer plastics.
Founded in 1984, the company now employs nearly 60 staff members and supplies to clients across the globe.
Looking to scale its operations and grow market share in the UK and Europe, the business partnered with WMG’s SME Group through Made Smarter West Midlands, for support on how to navigate investing in new technology for its shopfloor.
Preparing for future growth
With a factory operating 24/7, the business has extensive experience in formulating, handling and working with materials that are supplied to the agricultural, automotive and medical industries as well as food packaging.
Supply Chain Manager at Wells Performance Materials, Michael Spight, sought guidance on how to navigate digital investments to enhance the company’s testing capabilities, develop new products and to compete on a global scale.
“We wanted to make investments to upgrade, expand and build upon our current testing capabilities by providing greater service internally for quality control and product development purposes, and also support our customers’ ever-evolving needs.
“This is where the advice from Made Smarter and WMG was invaluable in helping us invest in a machine which would meet our objectives.
“We are working on a number of exciting projects both within the UK and Europe within the sustainable materials arena. If successful, any one of these customers could bring in an additional five per cent growth over the next two to three years to the business.” - Michael Spight, Supply Chain Manager, Wells Performance Materials
Expert support for smarter decisions
Jasmine Agrawal, Digital Transfer Engineer at WMG, University of Warwick, provided a diagnostic review of the company’s machinery, and worked with them to identify investment options that would drive the greatest impacts.
From collaborating with WMG, Wells Performance Materials understood that upgrading its existing ‘tensometer’, which is used to measure the physical properties of polymers, was at its end of life and no longer technically supported. By upgrading to the latest model, Wells Performance Materials would unlock capability to develop new products for the international market.
“From our initial discussions with Wells PM, it was clear that this investment was about more than replacing ageing equipment: it was about strengthening their technical capability to support innovation and product development.
“Through our diagnostic visit and technical review, we worked closely with their team to assess current limitations, define requirements, and ensure the selected instrument would support both immediate project goals and longer-term strategic growth.” - Jasmine Agrawal, Digital Transfer Engineer, WMG
Jasmine and the team at Wells Performance Materials identified an instrument which would meet all their needs, as well as support to apply for a grant towards its purchase.
Delivering long-term impact
Following the collaboration, Wells Performance Materials received a £16k+ grant from Made Smarter West Midlands, with the business adding the remaining 50% of the cost to purchase an Instron 34SC-5 with video extensometer.
“The instrument, despite being more compact than the one it replaced, has a suite of functions which our previous tensometer did not have, allowing much greater capabilities and helping us meet the technical objectives for this project,” Dr Gary Ogden, Technical Manager, Wells Performance Materials
“The new Instron system enhances Wells Performance Materials’ testing precision and data insight, enabling them to accelerate R&D, improve quality assurance processes, and compete more effectively in high-performance and sustainability-driven markets.” - Jasmine Agrawal, Digital Transfer Engineer, WMG
From partnering with WMG, through the Made Smarter West Midlands programme, Wells Performance Materials benefitted from:
- Securing £16k+ in grant funding from Made Smarter West Midlands.
- Personalised technical investment support to make the most strategic decision.
- New machinery with capabilities to develop more advanced products.
- Unlocking access to new markets, previously unattainable through technical limitations.
- A solution that balances improved environmental performance with high-quality output.
The business is also celebrating winning the Best Sustainable Polymer Production Company category at the British Made Awards 2026, and will be presenting at a number of international conferences and exhibitions over the next year showcasing its products and capabilities.
“By combining technical evaluation with grant support, we were able to help Wells Performance Materials make a confident, future-focused investment,” Jasmine Agrawal, Digital Transfer Engineer, WMG
“This new instrument helps increase our credibility as a technically strong company to new potential customers in the UK and abroad, and in addition helps to attract more high-calibre employees to meet our growing demands.
“We are working on a number of exciting projects both within the UK and Europe within the sustainable materials arena. If successful, any one of these customers could bring in an additional five per cent growth over the next two to three years to the business.”
- Michael Spight, Supply Chain Manager, Wells Performance Materials
Do you want to unlock growth, markets and digital capabilities for your manufacturing business? Get in touch with our team today.