The proud third-generation family-owned business has been celebrated as Family Business of the Year at the 2026 West Midlands Business of the Year Awards. The award recognises their enduring dedication to quality, British manufacturing and the values that only a family-run business can bring.

“This award means the world to us,” said Simon Thacker, Sales Director of the Walsall Wheelbarrow Company. “Being a family business spanning three generations, it’s incredibly special to see our hard work, passion, and values recognised in this way. Every wheelbarrow we make carries a little piece of our family’s story, and we’re proud to share that with our customers across the UK.”

Simon continued “Being a family business spanning three generations, it’s incredibly special to see our hard work, passion, and values recognised in this way. Every wheelbarrow we make carries a little piece of our family’s story, and we’re proud to share that with our customers nationwide.”

With over 80 years’ experience in the wheelbarrow industry, their products are widely regarded as Britain’s best, trusted by tradespeople, landscapers, and gardeners nationwide.

Jonathan Thacker, Operations Director said “My dad Les started this business with a single vision: to create wheelbarrows that could stand the test of time. He believed in putting people first, and those principles remain at the heart of everything we do today. We’re proud to carry his legacy forward, every day.”

The company’s commitment goes beyond building wheelbarrows – they are dedicated to keeping manufacturing in Britain, supporting local suppliers, and maintaining the skills and expertise that have made Walsall synonymous with quality.

The West Midlands Business Awards celebrate companies that excel in innovation, leadership, and customer service. Winning the Family Business category acknowledges the Walsall Wheelbarrow Company’s unique blend of family values, commercial success, and dedication to delivering exceptional products.

Simon White, Partner at PwC UK, awarded the Family Business Award, he said: “Family businesses are the lifeblood of our economy, thriving in the Midlands, and central to the growth of our region. Family businesses are strong due to their agility, purpose and centralised leadership, these factors play a significant role in ensuring that businesses can drive forward, continually grow and adapt at pace.”

“Walsall Wheelbarrow company stood out in the awards category and are a fantastic winner not just for their successful business, but also for the warmth, care, and commitment they bring to everything they do. A very worthy winner and I look forward to seeing the business grow and develop.”

Looking ahead, the Walsall Wheelbarrow Company is excited to continue Britain’s finest wheelbarrows, nurturing their family legacy, and keeping the spirit of British manufacturing alive for generations to come.

PwC UK is a proud sponsor of the West Midlands Business of the Year Awards.