My Visit to the Wilson Benesch Factory
At the conclusion of the Munich show, I finally had the opportunity to do something that’s been on my wish list for years… visit the Wilson Benesch factory in Sheffield, England!
As you may know, I have been a huge advocate of the ‘Wilson Benesch sound’ for many years, admiring the ability of their products to play music with a transparency and musicality that is rare. If you’ve ever been in the presence of a Wilson Benesch speaker, you will know that in terms of fit and finish, they are among the finest available. It is also clear to me that in terms of technological input and innovation, I can’t think of a company that comes close.
What I really wanted to know was how does all this come together? I know that they have been the recipients of some government funding over the years but that doesn’t explain the level of elevated excellence that they so consistently produce. It doesn’t explain the emergence of the GMT, an analog playback system that is so far beyond anything we’ve ever seen that it may as well have been delivered to the earth by an advanced alien race. For me, the missing piece of the jigsaw puzzle was to visit them and see how they actually operate. How is all this possible?
Sheffield
My first pleasant surprise was arriving in Sheffield. Being close to Manchester and having a strong history of steel production, I expected Sheffield to be heavily industrial in appearance but nothing could be further from reality. Nested among rolling hills, farms and forests, the lush greenery was beautiful to behold. Rich with history and quaint buildings, there was a wonderful blend of old and new with a relaxed, cultured vibe. The city is big enough to have all the necessary amenities yet small enough to have a personal, village feel. I even saw Hillsborough Stadium, built in 1899 and home of Sheffield Wednesday FC… go owls!
Falcon House
The Wilson Benesch factory is located in ‘Falcon House’, a 21,000 square foot building with an incredible history and charm all of its own. The heritage of the building was evident everywhere I looked and belied the technological capabilities of the people working within. Over the next two days, I experienced firsthand the raw materials, craftsmanship, fit and finish that defines the Wilson Benesch product lines and brand.
Exploring Advanced Manufacturing
During my tour, I explored various sections of the factory, including:
CNC Suite
I witnessed state-of-the-art precision CNC machining centres creating poly-alloy components exclusively for Wilson Benesch products. I was able to see the transfer of highly detailed three-dimensional digital CAD drawings into CAM programmes with tens of thousands of lines of code and in turn the complex components that the CNCs then create from solid billets of metal.
Carbon and Biocomposites Production Suites
This was one of the many highlights of my visit. Wilson Benesch pioneered the use of carbon fibre composites within tonearm and loudspeaker design in the audio industry. Today it incorporates not only carbon fibre composite manufacturing centres, but also the latest innovations within composite materials technology thanks to the company’s work in biocomposite materials technology through the SSUCHY Project.
Additive Manufacturing Suite
Seeing components such as the Fibonacci element and Labyrinth Enclosure in the latest Wilson Benesch drive unit technologies come to life through additive manufacturing technologies was amazing.
The AMRC
I was fortunate to join Wilson Benesch’s directors on a visit to the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC), guided by George Robinson, a former Wilson Benesch employee. The company’s collaboration with the AMRC, dating back to its foundation in 2004, has been instrumental in product development through the past two-decades.
The AMRC park, now a state-of-the-art advanced manufacturing centre, has expanded to over 150 acres with more than 90 industrial members, including giants like Boeing, Rolls-Royce, McLaren and BAE Systems. Through a collaboration with Sheffield University, the AMRC has become a centre of excellence in materials science and manufacturing technologies. Some industry applications have benefitted, such as jet engine turbine development, high tensile composites for aerospace applications and… tweeters & tonearms!
It’s all about the people
Among all this technological wonder, my most enduring impression was one of the people I met. The Wilson Benesch factory is full of specialist artisans, working with enthusiasm and so happy to share information about their role. They love what they do and love working there. All of them were very kind to me and took the time to carefully answer my questions and demonstrate aspects of their job.
The company Directors also exhibit a great respect and care for their team. It really feels like a close-knit family with a shared duty of care for each other and for the products. They were also exceptionally generous with their time and were perfect hosts, taking the time not only to discuss the various details of our conversations but also to take me to exquisite eateries and show me the beauty of the surrounding region. There’s a working culture here that is permeated with love and respect for all team members and striving together towards common goals.
It also became obvious to me that Wilson Benesch’s achievements are not the result of one person’s vision and efforts. They are the result of a powerful collaboration of many people over many years. Design Director Craig Milnes showed me various iterations of the development of the GMT drive mechanism. There were so many attempts, so much learning from the ‘failures’, so many contributors and minds working on the project. I joked that it took them thirty years to become an overnight success but in reality it took many people. The company is a celebration of the spirit of collaboration.
Some Photos
Thank You
This factory visit was truly inspirational and unforgettable. I would like to express a huge thank you to the Wilson Benesch team – to Craig Milnes, Christina Milnes, Luke Milnes and the team of dedicated, talented people that work at this esteemed company. Thank you for your hospitality and kindness. May more of the audiophile world discover your extraordinary creations!
