For more than 130 years, the Blackley cable factory has stood at the heart of British cable manufacturing. Located in Manchester, this historic site represents continuity, craftsmanship and generations of cable expertise.
Today, the factory is home to British Cables Company (BCC), a leading British cable manufacturer. Blackley continues to play an important role in UK cable manufacturing, combining generations of knowledge with modern technology to meet the needs of today’s infrastructure.
Foundations of a British Manufacturing Legacy
The story of the Blackley cable factory began in 1895, when Connolly Bros established the site in Manchester. At the time, the UK’s electrical and telecommunications infrastructure was still in its infancy. Blackley soon became part of the foundations of the country’s cable manufacturing industry.
Blackley was also one of the original sites of BICC (British Insulated Callender’s Cables), one of the country’s first major cable manufacturers.
From the outset, the factory supplied cables for the UK’s growing communications networks. Its products helped connect businesses, communities and essential services across the country.
This early association with BICC firmly established Blackley within the history of British cable manufacturing. This manufacturing heritage continues today, with BCC combining more than a century of experience with the capabilities of a modern British cable manufacturer. For more information about British Cables Company, our history and manufacturing expertise, visit our About Us page.
A Factory at the Heart of the Community
From its earliest days, Blackley has been more than a manufacturing facility. The factory has been an important part of the local community, both as a major employer and a social hub.
Generations of families have worked at the site. Today, second- and third-generation employees continue to design and manufacture cables at Blackley.
This continuity of people and skills is increasingly rare in modern manufacturing. It reflects the pride, loyalty and shared identity that have developed within the Blackley workforce.
In the late 1990s, this heritage was celebrated through the commissioning of a local artist. A mural was created within the factory grounds to depict the evolution of the site from its beginnings in 1895.
The mural remains a visual reminder that Blackley’s story is not just about cables. It is also about people.
Evolving Through Ownership and Industry Change
Over more than a century, the Blackley factory has adapted through several changes in ownership. Each chapter has contributed to the site’s development and resilience.
- 1959 – Became a wholly owned subsidiary of BICC Plc
- 1975 – Renamed BICC Telecommunications Cables Limited
- 1999 – Acquired by Corning
- 2000 – Acquired by Belden
- 2006 – Acquired by B3
- 2012 – Acquired by BT Group
- 2018 – BT agreed the sale of BT Cables to The Wilms Group
Following the 2018 acquisition, the business became British Cables Company (BCC), part of the Wilms Group. The Group has 25 production plants serving global markets across infrastructure, industry, machinery and renewable energy.
Throughout these changes, one thing has remained constant: Blackley’s commitment to quality, service and technical excellence.
A Centre of Excellence for UK Cable Manufacturing
The Blackley factory has been continuously operational since 1895. Today, the 28-acre Manchester site is a centre of excellence for cable production, supporting customers across the UK and internationally.
The scale of Blackley’s manufacturing heritage can be seen in some of the site’s milestones:
- More than 1,050,000 hours of operation since formation
- More than 650,000 tonnes of copper used
- Over 8 million kilometres of cable produced – enough to travel from Earth to the Moon and back more than ten times
- More than 150 million loop kilometres of cable produced – greater than the distance from Earth to the Sun
- A cable provider to BT and the Post Office since 1909
These figures demonstrate more than manufacturing volume. They represent decades of consistent and reliable cable production supporting critical national infrastructure.
Meeting Modern Infrastructure Demands
Blackley’s heritage is important, but innovation continues to drive its future. In recent years, BCC has expanded both its product range and customer base to meet the changing requirements of modern infrastructure.
Today, BCC manufactures cables for telecommunications, optical fibre networks, rail, structured cabling, buildings and industrial applications.
This breadth of manufacturing capability enables BCC to support the evolving needs of customers across a diverse range of sectors. From building and construction and rail to telecommunications and data networking, BCC provides cable solutions designed around the technical, performance and reliability requirements of each industry. As an experienced copper cable manufacturer, BCC combines modern manufacturing capabilities with more than a century of expertise at its Blackley site.
People, Knowledge and Continuity
At the core of Blackley’s success are its people. Teamwork is central to BCC, with technical knowledge and hands-on manufacturing experience passed down through generations of skilled employees.
This continuity provides a significant advantage for customers.
Expertise developed over more than a century informs cable design, manufacturing, technical support and problem-solving. Customers benefit from knowledge grounded in real-world manufacturing experience.
It is this combination of people, knowledge and technical capability that continues to define the Blackley factory today.
Proudly British. Made in Manchester.
The evolution of the Blackley factory reflects the wider evolution of British cable manufacturing. The site has adapted to new technologies, ownership and market demands while maintaining the values that built its reputation.
Today, British Cables Company and the Wilms Group serve customers around the world, while Blackley remains proudly rooted in Manchester.
Its long history and modern manufacturing capabilities provide the continuity, quality and service customers have relied on for generations.
More than 130 years after its story began, Blackley remains a place where British cable expertise is built, refined and delivered to the world.
Explore BCC’s full range of cable products manufactured for telecommunications, infrastructure, rail, buildings and industrial applications, or contact our team to discuss your cable requirements.
