HEDLEYS ALARM & TOWING CENTRE

WITTER TOWBARS

Since it was founded over half a century ago, Witter Towbars has consistently set the standard for quality, reliability, and value for money.

The company was formed in 1950 by Colin Witter, who saw an opportunity to meet the growing demand for easy-to-fit towing brackets from caravan and trailer owners who were benefiting from the increased leisure time enjoyed by post-war Britain. It was his vision that led to the creation of Witter Towbars, the UK's leading towbar manufacturer. Today, thanks to continuous investment, the Witter name is synonymous with the highest standards of design, quality, safety and security for motorists and road users. From its modern headquarters on Deeside, North Wales, the company supplies a complete range of towbars and accessories through a helpful nationwide network of specialist stockists and fitters.

The company moved to Canal Side in Chester

By now the Witter Trademark had been registered and a reputation had been established that would sustain the company for the next 60+ years. The company had out grown its original premises and moved to an industrial buildings on the canal side within Chester, gradually expanding to adjacent buildings over the following years. Move from Canal Side to existing premises in Deeside In 1997 after 40 years in business the company moved from the Canal side in Chester to the large modern industrial premises located on Deeside Industrial Park. The move allowed for a big expansion of the factory so to towbars could be manufactured on a larger scale and more efficiently.

Type Approval of Towbars was introduced

In 1998 Type approvals were first introduced meaning all towbars manufactured now had to be approved by the VCA for quality purposes. However, Witter introduced the first type approved UK Towbar in 1995 for SsangYong Musso showing how Witter Towbars has always been at the forefront of the industry. They employ a team of fully qualified engineers who are responsible for the design of your towbar, from first concept through to the issue of production drawings. The first stage is to view the new vehicle and develop a design concept which will integrate seamlessly with the vehicle manufacturer’s specified towbar mounting points. This includes the need to obtain European Type Approval, efficiency of manufacture, ease of installation and, most importantly, the aesthetics of the finished product on the vehicle. All towbars are designed using the latest 3D Computer Aided Design.

This gives us great flexibility during the design process. Once a prototype has been developed it is then tested to the European Type Approval requirements of Directive 94/20EC.

Introduction of 3 axis Carlos test rig 2015

As part of continuous efforts to drive innovation and development Witter Towbars installed and commissioned a state of the art 3 Axis test machine in 2015 at their premises in Deeside. The new test rig is capable of multi axial tow bar tests using 3 load directions, with simultaneously introduced forces, as defined by the Carlos TC loading sequence. Each axis, is capable of being driven independently to allow standard Regulation 55.01 testing and also other unspecified forms of static and dynamic load testing.

Testing is carried out on there in house servo hydraulic test rigs, and is independently witnessed and authorised by the UK Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA). Only when the VCA are satisfied that they have met all of the criteria of the EC regulations, will they then grant them EC Type Approval for that particular towbar.

The Witter Shield of Safety

Every Witter towbar is covered by the Witter Shield of Safety, a symbol of quality, backed by a genuine lifetime guarantee. This is made possible through their continuing investment in skills, technology and quality systems. Witter Towbars are totally committed to quality and have full accreditation as a Quality Assured Company, ensuring that Witter towbars continue to occupy a place at the forefront of engineering excellence.