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Gallery – Photos of the company over the last 100 Years
1926 – 2026
On 19th March 2026, The WA Cooke Group Ltd proudly celebrates 100 years in business—a remarkable milestone that reflects a century of craftsmanship, resilience, innovation, and family dedication.
From its beginnings as a small blacksmith’s forge in Walkden, Manchester, to a modern engineering group delivering steel fabrication, nationwide mechanical installation, and industrial wastewater treatment solutions, the story of WA Cooke is deeply rooted in both engineering excellence and family heritage.
The Beginning: A Craftsman’s Vision
The story begins with William Allen Cooke, known to many as Billy, who was born in 1898, one of six children. His journey into engineering started early. At just 14 years old, in 1912, Billy began an apprenticeship as a blacksmith at Walkden Yard, shoeing horses and hardening picks for the local miners who powered the region’s industry.
Billy’s talent and work ethic quickly became evident. By 1917, at only 19 years old, he had already risen to the position of foreman at Walkden Yard.
With ambition and determination, Billy took the bold step that would shape the future of the family business. On 19th March 1926, aged 28, he borrowed £150 from his wife’s family to purchase the business of Shoeing and General Smiths on Harriet Street, Walkden.
This moment marked the official beginning of the company, originally known as W.A. Cooke & Sons (established 1926) Limited.
A Family Business Through the Generations
As the years progressed, the next generations joined the company.
Billy’s son Geoff Cooke, born in 1926, joined the business in 1942, followed by his brother John Cooke, who began working in the company in 1958. Together, they helped guide the business through a period of growth and change. In 1968, the factory was compulsorily purchased, prompting the move to a new facility on Southern Street in Walkden, which remains the company’s headquarters today. The site was later extended in 1974, reflecting the company’s continued expansion.
The next generation soon followed. Jeremy Cooke joined the business in 1979, while Simon Cooke, Geoff’s son, began working in the company in 1985.
The family’s commitment to the business has always been accompanied by a shared sense of ambition—and occasionally the odd debate. One well-remembered moment came in 1978, when Geoff and John disagreed over a potential investment: Geoff favoured purchasing Lancaster Golf Club, while John believed the business should invest in a machine shop at Two Bridges. The machine shop ultimately went ahead and was sold a few years later—though, as family history jokingly notes, the golf club eventually sold for around £3 million.
Expanding Capabilities
By the 1980s, the company was expanding its engineering services beyond traditional fabrication. In 1981, the business launched its Site Services company, enabling WA Cooke to support mechanical installations across a wider range of industrial projects.
Over time, the company developed its expertise in steel fabrication and mechanical installation, building a reputation for reliable engineering services across the UK.
The next chapter of the family legacy arrived in 2005, when Billy Cooke, Simon’s son and great-grandson of the founder, joined the business, representing the fourth generation of the Cooke family working within the company.
That same year marked another major milestone with the start of manufacturing operations in Ely, Cambridgeshire, significantly expanding the company’s production capacity and geographic reach.
Innovation for the Future
In 2013, the company took a major step forward by launching the Watermark Projects Division, focusing on industrial wastewater treatment.
Through this division, the company began designing, manufacturing, and installing its own wastewater treatment equipment, helping industrial clients manage wastewater responsibly while meeting increasingly demanding environmental standards.
The Ely operation continued to grow, and in 2019, the company purchased the Ely factory and the remainder of the site, further strengthening its long-term manufacturing capability.
A New Era
In 2021, the business entered a new chapter when it was rebranded as The WA Cooke Group Ltd, reflecting the broader range of engineering services now delivered across multiple divisions.
These divisons and services include:
Today, the company operates from two main locations:
- Southern Street, Walkden, Manchester – the historic home of the company
- Kiln Lane, Ely, Cambridgeshire – a key manufacturing and engineering site
Celebrating 100 Years
As 19th March 2026 marks the 100th anniversary of the business, The WA Cooke Group Ltd reflects with pride on the journey that began with £150, a blacksmith’s forge, and a determined young engineer.
Today, the company is led by Simon Cooke, grandson of the founder, and Billy Cooke, great-grandson of William Allen Cooke, ensuring the founding values of hard work, engineering skill, and family commitment remain at the heart of the business.
The WA Cooke Group Ltd looks forward with confidence to the future—building on a proud history while continuing to serve industry with the same dedication that began in Walkden in 1926.
Here’s to the next 100 years.
