Isle of Wight business's Elizabeth Line roundels for London Underground

AJ Wells and Sons has been making roundels for the London Underground for more than three decades, but the latest commission proved more of a challenge.

In designing and manufacturing the new purple enamel roundels, the purple tone performed differently across the materials they used — from vitreous enamel and powder coating through to glass and illuminated acrylic.

But they worked out how to get just the right tone across all the materials and are now looking forward to seeing the opening of the stations and their work on show.

Cedric Wells, one of the directors, said: “Although we have produced roundels for the majority of London Underground stations, the Elizabeth Line presented a new challenge for us.

“We still find it exciting to see our roundels in stations so we are looking forward to the opening of the Elizabeth Line. We are proud to play our part and bring a bit of Isle of Wight to the capital.”

AJ Wells and Sons, which has been in operation since 1972, was awarded a number of contracts to provide wayfinding signage, vitreous enamel and stainless-steel cladding, stainless-steel brackets and CCTV housings for many of the 41 stations that make up the Elizabeth Line.

The company is one of just a few enamelling plants in the UK, and a team of 30 on the Island work across design, artwork, surveying, manufacturing and installation.

The contracts have boosted revenues over the last five years and have allowed investment in staff recruitment and training as well as new machinery and equipment, allowing the company to increase their product offering at their facility as the programme required innovative designs that pushed the limits of traditional signage production.

Andy Byford, Transport for London’s commissioner, said: “AJ Wells represents a classic example of the widespread economic benefits the Elizabeth Line has brought to the South East and beyond.

“We are moving ever closer to the launch. I can’t wait to welcome customers from across the UK and beyond to this transformational addition to our transport network.”

The line is set to open by July.