Bostin' Black Country Business Hall of Fame
There are so many things to celebrate about the Black Country economy, yet we are often accused of not shouting enough about what makes us special.
Resilience, warmth of service, ‘can-do’ attitude and the ability to marry traditional manufacturing craft with new technologies are just some of the qualities business leaders offer up when asked about the strengths of our region.
It comes together to create a unique economic picture. One of industrial sectors evolving with the pace of change, new markets of opportunity in life sciences, electrification and the creative scene and some tourism gems that attract inward investment and visitors on an increasing scale.
Well, the time of hiding our light under a bushel has gone and we're delighted to be shining a spotlight on the strengths of the region by championing its most innovative, resilient, creative and globally trading companies.
Over the next 12 months we will build an alumni-type community of Bostin' businesses with the promise of changing perceptions and increasing economic performance. You can find out more about the campaign here.
Location: Willenhall
Employs: 1474
About:
ASSA ABLOY are the global leaders in access solutions and everyday we help billions of people move through a safer and more open world with ease. In the UK and Ireland we provide premium, design-led door opening solutions tailored to a multitude of building demands covering the following sectors Commercial, High Security, Professional Digital and Residential.
What makes the Black Country ‘Bostin’?
"There is so much that makes the ‘Black Country ‘Bostin’ for us it’s the people and the long-standing history in manufacturing – our own heritage in the region dates back over 200 years"
Laura Johnson - Head of Communications and Employer Branding
A quirky fact:
Did you know ASSA ABLOY products are helping to keep chimpanzee’s safe at Twycross zoo?
Employs: 88
About:
“We’re here for anyone living with or impacted by sight loss – from individuals to families and carers.”
Beacon Centre for the Blind creates spaces where people feel supported, included and empowered, whether that’s through care, wellbeing activities, training, or simply connecting with others. Inclusivity runs through everything it does, because the charity believes sight loss should never be a barrier to living life to the full.
What makes the Black Country ‘Bostin’?
“For 150 years, we have been proud to stand alongside this community, growing together, supporting one another and proving that when the Black Country comes together, there’s nothing it can’t do. That spirit of grit, kindness and pride is what makes this place so unique.”
Lisa Sadler-Todd - Chief Executive Officer
Location: West Bromwich
About:
Black Country Women’s Aid is the leading provider of support to victims of abuse in the region, answering around 13,000 requests for help a year.
Established in 1986, we have used this platform to rebuild lives, train others, challenge attitudes and influence change. Victims are and always will be at the heart of everything we do.
Our ‘one front door’ integrated services include refuge and support in the community for victims of domestic abuse, rape and sexual abuse, stalking, exploitation/modern slavery and women and girls in or at risk of entering the criminal justice system. We also have a service for men (Ask Marc), who have experienced all forms of abuse.
Black Country Women’s Aid is here for women, men and children living with past or present abuse because we know how difficult it can be to tell someone and the impact that it can have on their lives.
What makes the Black Country ‘Bostin’?
"Genuine, generous people with great resilience. Importantly, Black Country people also have a warm heart."
Sara Ward - CEO
A quirky fact:
We were set up by Black Country women sitting around a kitchen table over a cuppa in Smethwick, who decided enough is enough. They knew too many women around them were suffering in silence, so took action!
Location: Wolverhampton
Employs: 15+
About:
BlackRook Academy delivers industry-led digital skills training that connects people to real employment opportunities. What makes us different is that all our trainers actively work in the digital industry, bringing current, real-world expertise - not just theory - into the classroom.
We work with young people, adults, career changers and those already in work, delivering practical training in social media, digital content creation, marketing and employability.
Our programmes are built around live employer briefs, meaning learners produce real content - videos, posts and campaigns - for real businesses.
We often support businesses by acting as a free recruitment service, matching them with affordable, work-ready digital talent.
In partnership with the City of Wolverhampton College and thanks to funding from the West Midlands Combined Authority, we are also able to:
- Help Black Country residents, often young people, gain their first paid work
- Upskill people already in employment, including those in marketing roles or those who have taken on digital responsibilities alongside their core role
- Provide businesses with high-quality, affordable digital support, while creating genuine routes into work
Alongside our funded provision, BlackRook Academy deliver bespoke commercial training and content packages for larger organisations, charities and education partners.
This includes access to innovative programmes, such as Smartphone videography and editing Training, not to mention an international AI and creative technology course developed in partnership with a US university.
What makes the Black Country ‘Bostin’?
"For me, it’s the people. The Black Country has a strong sense of community, resilience and straight-talking honesty, with people who quietly get on with things and support one another. There’s also a self-deprecating humour that’s part of its underlying charm, which means people often don’t shout about their achievements.
"We want to change that by shouting loud about the Black Country’s innovative, hardworking and values-led businesses.
"Being able to tell those stories better - sharing what companies do, why they do it and the impact they have - helps build trust, supports recruitment and raises the profile of the area."
Lucy Rook - Founder & Managing Director
A quirky fact:
Our training doesn’t stay theoretical for long - learners move quickly into creating live content for real businesses or for their own organisation.
Location: Bilston
Employs: 17
About:
“Bringing Black Country precision to the international metal forming industry.”
Bowers & Jones is a world leader in the design, manufacture, and refurbishment of rolling mill components.
The Kings Award-winning company uses 70 years of expertise to design and manufacture high precision roll tooling for the metal rolling industry, supplying rolls and engineering equipment to all the world’s leading steel long products and copper rolling mills.
What makes the Black Country ‘Bostin’?
“Our appetite for hard work, our resilience and, importantly, our passion for UK manufacturing.”
Jane Sommerville - Managing Director
Location: Walsall
Employs: 76
About:
We eliminate the everyday problems businesses face around workplace refreshments, such as staff leaving site for drinks, poor hydration affecting performance, and break areas that fail to support wellbeing.
Coinadrink do this by providing fully managed vending, coffee, and water solutions that keep teams fuelled, focused, and onsite. Our service covers everything from installation replenishment and cleaning to engineering support and smart machine monitoring.
Our customer base spans businesses of all sizes across manufacturing, logistics, offices, healthcare, and education - any environment where staff productivity, morale, and convenience matter.
What makes the Black Country ‘Bostin’ ?
"The Black Country is Bostin’ because of the people and the businesses that make up its heart.
"We're a region built on deep heritage, one that’s proud of its industrial past, but we’re equally committed to embracing new technologies, fresh thinking, and innovation. What makes us special is the unique way we blend all of that together.
"Our business community is truly like no other: supportive, collaborative, and driven by a shared belief that we all succeed when we lift each other up. And that spirit carries through into our wider community too. When times are tough, we pull together. When opportunities arise, we share them. And no matter the challenge, we look after one another to make sure the region continues to prosper."
Tom Williams - Managing Director
A quirky fact:
Coinadrink’s branch division, Express Refreshments, was responsible for launching the UK’s first ever Micro Market in 2013, a self-service convenience store for workplaces, long before they became the workplace staple, they are today.
.png "Dudley Canal & Caverns Logo")
Location: Dudley
Employs: 35 to 50 (seasonally)
“We're a heritage attraction in the heart, and under the Black Country.”
Dudley Canal & Caverns run boat trips through its labyrinth of tunnels, caverns that sing in the wind, and basins that transport you to a world you wouldn't know exists...and it does all this about 70ft below ground, and across 428 million years of history.
What makes the Black Country ‘Bostin’?
“It's fiercely loyal, and protective of what makes each individual town of the Black Country so unique. It's our differences in such short distances that make us so special. Whether Sedgley to Gornal or Dudley to Tipton.”
Paul Crofts - Chief Executive Officer
Location: Wolverhampton
Employs: 5
About:
Run by an experienced educator, we have a passion for ensuring that all children have the opportunity to access education in a way that suits them best, regardless of their background or starting point.
What makes the Black Country ‘Bostin’?
"The people and the orange chips!"
Stacie Ryan - Founder
A quirky fact:
A 'Helix' is a powerful symbol of resilience representing adaptability, growth and continuity!
Location: Wolverhampton
Employs: 5
About:
We are a Research and Development company that uses biotechnology to come up with new materials, green energy solutions and treatments for conditions, such as Parkinson’s.
What makes the Black Country ‘Bostin’?
.jpeg "Dr Brian Johnston - Founder")
"The Black Country is bostin’ because it blends together hard work, straight-talking people, and real innovation. For iBiotech, it’s a place where ideas get backed and turned into impact!"
Dr Brian Johnston - Founder
A quirky fact:
One of our earliest projects was using a brewer’s ‘waste stream’ and converting it into a ‘luxury bioleather’ material.
Location: Aldridge and Telford
Employs: 64
About:
“We have developed an employer-led approach to skills development.”
In-Comm Training is one of the UK’s leading independent training providers, supporting over 800 apprentices and delivering 2700 upskilling courses every year. Over £5m has been spent on equipping a world class technical facility in Aldrige, which also houses the UK’s first precision toolroom academy.
What makes the Black Country ‘Bostin’?
“The people. It’s a small world here, where everyone is friendly, down to earth and hard working. Importantly, we have our own accent, and our heritage and industrial values really make us special.”
Gareth Jones - Managing Director
Location: Cradley Heath
Employs: 52
About:
What makes the Black Country ‘Bostin’?
"The wonderful friendly community that provides us with a diverse, hard-working workforce. The heritage in the area is amazing too. So much history and we’re grateful to be a part of it. We were founded in the Black Country and 162 years later we’re still in the Black country a mere 0.9 mile from our original premises."
Rebecca Grainger - Sales and Marketing Director Designate
A quirky fact:
We were establishing in 1864 and still family-owned and run today by our 6th generation.
Location: West Midlands
Employs: 254
About:
We make sure employers have a skilled, competent workforce to meet the business needs of tomorrow!
As an independent Training Provider with a strong focus on apprenticeships, we work closely with employers across a range of sectors to deliver work-based training that meets both organisational and sector needs. We design and manage apprenticeship programmes that combine practical workplace learning with structured training, ensuring apprentices develop the skills, knowledge, and professional behaviours required by their employers. We also deliver Study Programmes and Traineeships to over 2000 students every year, providing progression routes for young people into employment, apprenticeships or further education.
What makes the Black Country ‘Bostin’?
"It’s the grit, graft and heart (pronounced ‘art’). The Black Country has a proper work ethic, strong community spirit and a determination to get things done."
Lesley Holland – CEO
A quirky fact:
Juniper was named after the Juniper Berry – as in the Gin!
Some of our former learners have gone on to become employees of businesses that are members of the Black Country Chamber of Commerce, and we’re proud to be part of each other’s journey, creating a true full-circle moment.
.png "KMB Shipping Group Logo")
Location: Tipton
Employs: 20
About:
“We thrive in helping companies throughout the world import and export their cargo in the most efficient way possible.”
KMB Shipping Group has more than 30 years’ experience in global logistics, working with an extensive network of agents, shipping lines and airlines to move goods around the world. It received a Queen’s Award for Enterprise in 2021 for its services to International Trade.
What makes the Black Country ‘Bostin’?
“The People! Simple as that! There are no friendlier folk anywhere in the UK!”
Paul Hull - Co-Owner
.png "MoRServ Logo")
Location: Black Country
Employs: 15
About:
MoRServ Group is a trusted risk, intelligence and transformation partner, helping businesses prepare, protect and perform in a fast changing world.
We combine deep real world expertise, innovative software, and clear, practical methodologies to help management teams understand risk, meet their obligations, improve performance and embed lasting change - simply, confidently and with measurable impact.
What makes the Black Country ‘Bostin’?
"The people and their ‘blunt’ honesty."
Meg Dowen - Director
A quirky fact:
Our technical lead (Maddie) has four legs and a waggy tail.
Location: Wolverhampton
Employs: 101
About:
The Mount Hotel Country Manor & Golf offers luxury accommodation, elegant function spaces, and exceptional hospitality in the Wolverhampton area. S
et within beautiful surroundings, the venue combines historic charm with modern comfort to create a unique destination for both leisure and special occasions.
Guests can enjoy high-quality accommodation, fine dining experiences, and outstanding service in a refined setting.
We are also a sought-after venue for weddings, providing a stunning backdrop, premium facilities, and dedicated event support to ensure every celebration is memorable.
Following recent investment, we have recently added an 18-hole golf course and Padel courts to our offering.
What makes the Black Country ‘Bostin’?
"The Black Country is 'Bostin' because of its strong sense of community, character, and pride in its heritage.
"Its rich industrial history has shaped the area and the hardworking, down-to-earth spirit of the people who live here. There is a genuine warmth and friendliness that makes the Black Country feel welcoming and authentic."
Scott Bernard - Director
A quirky fact:
The Mount became a well-known place for Jackson brothers Tito, Marlon and Jackie to spend time when they were in the UK on tour.
Location: Wolverhampton
Employs: 60
About:
We are in the business of keeping your water systems safe. With over 30 years of experience in legionella control, we are an award-winning provider of water safety services and products providing services to various sectors, including Care, Hotel and Leisure, Education, Business and Local Authorities.
What makes the Black Country ‘Bostin’?
"When yow work hard, help each other and av a loff! That’s what meks the Black Country Bostin ar-kid!"
Carl Baker - Managing Director
A quirky fact:
Did you know “Nant” means “Stream” in Welsh?
Location: Wolverhampton
Employs: 220
About
We are a national logistics network supporting pallet distribution on behalf of over 90 Shareholder Members based throughout the UK & Ireland. We were born in the Black Country over 21 years ago and we take immense pride in the service we offer our extensive network. Our innovative technology-enabled distribution services facilitates the handling of over 4.2m pallets per year.
We are committed to nurture and develop local people by mentoring the next generation for our industry. Simultaneously, we are enhancing our community work through partnerships with fellow Black Country businesses and charities. Through initiatives such as fundraising, volunteering and mutual support, we are strengthening our impact on our local community to show we care and that we are a nice business to do business with.
What makes the Black Country ‘Bostin’?
"Simple, the people! People are at the heart of our business and the heart of our Black Country community - this is what makes us stronger together."
Stuart Godman - CEO
A quirky fact:
25% of our business is owned by our 90 Shareholder Members, making this a real community business!
Location: Wolverhampton
Employs: 30
About:
"As a not-for-profit, when people and businesses use us to protect their health and wellbeing, they are also boosting local good causes.”
Paycare provides Health Cash Plans to 700+ corporate clients and 42,000 individuals, with customers staying with the organisation for more than 14 years on average.
In that time, it has donated more than £2.5m to charitable causes in the Black Country and West Midlands.
What makes the Black Country ‘Bostin’?
“Its diversity, its welcome, its work ethic, its creativity and the fact we’re not afraid to get our hands dirty. Like many good things, we do not shout about how amazing the Black Country is, and I want to change that.”
Anthony Burns - CEO
Location: Smethwick
Employs: 10
About:
Pippatopia is a children’s role play café designed for kids up to the age of 7, along with the grown-ups who love them.
We have beautifully curated, high-quality role play spaces that encourage imagination, confidence and social development; all set within a safe, welcoming space where families can connect.
While the children immerse themselves in purposeful play, adults can enjoy great coffee, fresh food and a calm, thoughtfully designed environment. We exist to support the development of early years and beyond, strengthen family bonds, and provide a community hub where parents, grandparents and carers feel just as valued as the little ones.
What makes the Black Country ‘Bostin’?
"The people! The Black Country is built on resilience, pride and community spirit, and that’s what makes it truly Bostin'.
"It’s a region that doesn’t just talk about community - it lives it. From independent businesses to families who choose to shop local, there’s a real sense of loyalty and togetherness here. That spirit has played a huge role in Pippatopia’s growth, and we’re incredibly proud to be part of it."
Rachel Butler - Founder & CEO
A quirky fact:
One of our most loved play spaces at Pippatopia is Wendy's House - a little home for children to play in, with a living room and a real-world mini kitchen. Whilst this play space was being built by the team, they called it ‘The Wendy House’. What they didn't realise is that my mom’s name is actually Wendy.
Location: Darlaston
Employs: 30
About:
Regent Engineering will be celebrating 85 years of supplying formed metal, welded assemblies and fabrications in 2026.
We initially concentrated on sub-contract toolmaking, presswork and assembly, evolving into today’s modern manufacturing business that boasts three important divisions: Pressings and Assemblies, Steel Fabrication, and Brand Products.
FloorStak® is a perfect example of the latter and covers a range of products made for the temporary structures market.
What makes the Black Country ‘Bostin’?
"Honest, hardworking and friendly people, who have and continue to contribute to creating a world class industry."
Stuart Whitehouse - Managing Director
A quirky fact:
The name "Regent" came from the street that the founder, Arthur Shaw, was born in.
Location: West Bromwich
Employs: 86
About:
Robert Hopkins Environmental is a family-owned waste management specialist based in West Bromwich. We provide comprehensive services for businesses, including hazardous and non-hazardous waste management, industrial cleaning, and sustainable recycling and recovery solutions. Operating a large fleet and our own waste transfer station, we focus on compliant, 
environmentally responsible disposal while helping clients reduce their environmental impact.
What makes the Black Country ‘Bostin’?
"We are proud to be from and based in the Black Country, where things get done. Graft is in our DNA – this region was forged in foundries, factories and workshops, so hard work is just how things are. We’re straight-talking and no nonsense: if we say we’ll do it, we’ll do it. And we’re down-to-earth and loyal, building relationships on trust and looking after our own."
Gavin Hopkins - Managing Director
A quirky fact:
The company was first founded in 1920 making and selling dolly tubs and cask barrels to breweries across Black Country such as Banks’s, Bass, and Bathams.
Location: Cradley Heath
Employs: 50
About:
.JPG "Tom Westley - Operations Director")
RunFlat International is the leading independent 'RunFlat' systems and military wheel supplier in the defence and security sector.
Our systems allow the vehicle to continue driving safely for up to 100km following ballistic or terrain related punctures, helping save lives and ensure people can escape dangerous situations.
What makes the Black Country ‘Bostin’?
"Fantastic people and the eagerness of local businesses to collaborate and bring economic wealth to the area."
Tom Westley - Operations Director
A quirky fact:
Over 90% of what we manufacture in the Black Country is exported to 45 different countries.
Location: Dudley
Employs: 420
About:
Thomas Dudley is a proudly independent, UK-based manufacturer with a heritage dating back more than one hundred years.
We design and manufacture high-quality plumbing products, washroom solutions and precision-engineered iron castings, supplying national merchants, independent retailers, 
housebuilders, commercial developers and export markets.
In simple terms, we make the essential components that keep homes, schools, hospitals and workplaces running smoothly. Our parts are often hidden behind the wall or beneath the floor, but they are critical to everyday life.
Through our on-site Training Academy and close partnerships with local schools and colleges, we invest heavily in the next generation of engineers, leaders and skilled professionals.
What makes the Black Country ‘Bostin’?
"The Black Country is built on hard work, loyalty and straight-talking honesty, and that spirit is still very much alive.
"It is a region with deep industrial roots and genuine pride in making things properly. Businesses support one another, generations build their careers locally, and people care about doing a good job.
"And it remains one of the few places where most problems can still be solved over a cup of tea and a sensible conversation."
Martin Dudley - Chairman/ CEO
A quirky fact:
What many people also do not realise is that we still operate a working iron foundry in the Black Country, producing precision castings that go far beyond plumbing.
In fact, there is a good chance you drive over our work every day. We manufacture iron castings used in road studs, commonly known as cat’s eyes. So, whether you are at home or on the motorway, we are probably playing a small part in keeping things flowing smoothly.
Location: Wombourne
Employs: 3
About:
“Our core mission is to help companies shape incredible, inclusive brands to create meaningful impact.”
From logo design and brand identity to beautifully designed brochures and marketing collateral, the company works with local, national and international companies and brands across financial services, education, charity, manufacturing, construction, and healthcare.
What makes the Black Country ‘Bostin’?
“The region is renowned for its industry, as a place where tradition meets innovation, and where local pride fuels creativity.”
Carolyn Smith - Managing Director
Location: Darlaston
Employs: 23
About:
Leveraging advanced CNC capability and in-house manufacturing, our components support a variety of global industries from offshore oil and gas installations to naval submarines.
What makes the Black Country ‘Bostin’?
"The Black Country is ‘Bostin’ as it’s built on generations of manufacturing excellence, hard work, and engineering innovation.
"At Union Fasteners, we’re proud to continue this tradition, combining traditional workmanship with modern CNC capability to achieve world-class quality standards.
"Located in Darlaston places us at the centre of a community that takes pride in producing components that are relied on and valued worldwide."
Adrian Garrett - Managing Director
A quirky fact:
Every time you flick a switch or put your heating on, it’s likely our components are behind the structures generating that power.
Location: Bloxwich, Great Wyrley & West Bromwich
Employs: 30
About:
.jpeg)
As the name implies, we provide funerals for people and families across the West Midlands, with the emphasis on delivering a personal experience in a time of difficulty and upset.
Our commitment is to be there 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 days per year, working with families to create celebrations and services that help the day run as smoothly as they can.
We also offer an extensive range of high quality memorials, as well as the opportunity to tap into a bespoke design service for that lasting legacy with a difference.
What makes the Black Country ‘Bostin’?
"The sheer volume of great businesses and owners we are fortunate to be surrounded by in the Black Country.
"There’s a real feeling of togetherness and a desire to collaborate to help move the region forward, making it a great place to live, work and play."
Rainer Derry - Business Development Manager
A quirky fact:
We are an all-female team, which is fairly unique in the funerals and memorials sector.
Location: Wolverhampton City Centre
Employs: 152
About:
We provide the UK’s finest touring theatre, musicals, comedy, music and dance and sporting evenings for the people of Wolverhampton and surrounding areas of Birmingham, the Black 
As a charity, we also support young people to access the theatre, a Memory Café that provides a vital lifeline for people living with dementia and multifaceted work to boost education in schools.
What makes the Black Country ‘Bostin’?
“The people. They are proud to be from the Black Country and, in turn, they are proud to support long-standing organisations like The Grand."
Vicky Price - Associate Director
A quirky fact:
We have three ghosts that call the theatre their home… Mr Purdy, The Grey Lady and Parkan The Cat.
Location: 230+ locations throughout Wolverhampton
Employs: 120, a mix of full-time, part-time and volunteers
About:
Wolves Foundation is the official charity of Wolverhampton Wanderers FC.
With a mantra of creating opportunities and changing lives, we pursue a vision to help Wolverhampton become a city where every person has the opportunity to connect, thrive, feel safe and reach their full potential.
In August 2025, the charity launched its new five-year strategy, with four key pillars shaping work between now and 2030: Economic Prosperity and Employment; Community Safety; Health and Wellbeing; Stronger Together.
What makes the Black Country ‘Bostin’?
"The Black Country has always been an important centre of industry both nationally and globally. Diverse communities that preserve a rich heritage whilst striving towards an even richer future that upholds the region place on a world stage.
"A truly Bostin’ region, fuelled by Bostin’ people - a region we are proud to call home."
Kieron Ansell - Head of Business Development
A quirky fact:
The Foundation has a strong list of ambassadors who support the work of the charity by helping to promote and raise awareness of projects and activities.
They also have three honorary patrons in music legend Robert Plant CBE and club legends and vice-presidents Steve Bull MBE and John Richards. Their patronage was launched with a visit to an allotment in Heath Town, which is looked after by participants on the Foundation’s Head 4 Health project and aims to improve mental health and wellbeing.
Our Patrons
