A Wrexham-based firm is celebrating an impressive milestone, having provided specialist commercial driver training throughout North Wales and the Northwest for more than 50 years. 

Gatewen Training Services was originally established in 1971 as Gatewen Transport Training in New Broughton, a former industrial village in Wrexham, the business has continued to support the needs of business owners and residents across the region.

Back in the 1970s, Gatewen Transport Training quickly acquired a reputation for offering quality training for HGV, FLT and bus drivers. It also provided training courses for mechanics and ran a successful apprenticeship scheme. Locally, it was held in high regard as both a reliable service provider and excellent employer. 

It was later incorporated as Gatewen Training Limited and moved to larger premises on Rhosddu Industrial Estate. Here, it focused predominantly on HGV and FLT driver training in response to a burgeoning transport and logistics industry.

Despite surviving the recession of the late 2000s, the UK's subsequent slow economic recovery created new challenges for the company. Current managing director, Julian Hughes, believed the only way Gatewen Training could prosper was to significantly expand its service offering.

In 2016, the company moved into fully adapted premises on Llay Industrial Estate where it began offering an extensive range of commercial training programmes as Gatewen Training Services Limited. 

Reflecting on those early days at Llay, Julian said: "Whilst the company and its sector struggled to recover from the economic downturn of 2007, Gatewen continued to uphold a good reputation in this area and was considered to be one of Wrexham's success stories.

"I knew we could build on that by expanding our service offering and tailoring programmes to meet the needs of the thousands of employers operating in this area."

Julian has always held the company in high regard, even as a child.

He added: "I grew up in the close-knit village of Rhosllanerchugog and anyone who has been brought up in this area understands the importance of community.

"Companies such as Gatewen were truly valued and respected. Coincidentally, some of the previous owners were friends of my family and I am very proud to have played a part in both stabilising and expanding this now thriving organisation.

"We now specialise in the provision of high-quality commercial training courses for a wide range of industries, including transport and logistics, plant and construction, warehousing, facilities management and manufacturing.

"We offer a comprehensive choice of novice, refresh and technical programmes for individuals and organisations alike."

The late Keith Phillips co-owned Gatewen for 13 years from 1995. His wife, Anne Phillips, still keeps in touch with Julian.

She said: "Keith and his fellow directors worked so hard to make Gatewen a success and it became known as an excellent training provider.

"I'm delighted Gatewen is in such good hands and doing so well in Wrexham and beyond.

"Keith would have been so pleased and proud that the good name of Gatewen is carrying on. I wish the company all the very best for the future."