A.J Wells & Sons celebrating 50 years

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This year A.J Wells and Sons celebrate its 50th anniversary and

In 2014 A.J Wells established Vlaze: a brand to focus on vitreous

looking back it is quite staggering to see how far we have come.

enamel for the living environment. Debuting enamel fireplace

From a local Island business to reaching markets across the globe, it

panels and heatshields for stove surrounds in collaboration with

was impossible to envisage the journey we were embarking on when

Charnwood. The business grew from strength to strength and

we started in February 1972. The priority back then was to make

undertakes commissions for restaurants, hotels, and residential

enough money to eat and pay the mortgage. Now, with around

projects with a range of leading designers and architects.

180 employees and dealers across the globe, the responsibilities and momentum of our mission have grown exponentially.

The end of 2021 and beginning of 2022 saw the launch of Charnwood.US and Vlaze.US to help us reach our customers and

In the mid 70s Dutch Elm Disease ravaged the country killing an

grow our market across the pond! After 2 very challenging ‘Covid

estimated 25 million trees. Simultaneously a hike in oil prices caused

years’ we are relishing the start of venturing out again towards new

the cost of heating to escalate. These two factors combined to kick

horizons and seeing many old and new faces.

start the market for wood-burning stoves in the UK. We saw a need for a small model for the local market, so we fabricated our first

Today, A.J Wells continues to design and make stoves that exceed

stove, The Beacon. Persuaded to exhibit at a specialist stove show in

the highest standards set for efficiency and emissions; manufacture

Welwyn, we received orders from all over the UK which established

market leading signage and cladding and export a range of products

us as a serious stove manufacturer and Charnwood was born.

worldwide reaching Japan, South Africa, Australia, Europe and the US. We remain a privately owned British manufacturer and design

The late 80s saw the investment in an enamelling plant, initially to

house run by the second and third-generation family members and

enamel our stoves, which led to a new arm for the company: A.J

employing a fantastic team that continues to grow.

Wells Vitreous Enamellers. The company began to produce signage specified for its long-lasting and durable finish. One of the first major contracts included London’s iconic Barbican Centre. This began a relationship with TFL which has seen A.J Wells become the principal supplier of signage and cladding for the London Underground. Most recently, we are proud to have surveyed, designed, manufactured, and installed signage and cladding

In our 50 years we have learnt three things that are vital to us: • Faith in God • Make products we can believe in • Value the people we work with, our customers and suppliers Take any one of those away and we wouldn’t have made it!

throughout the 1-billion-pound Transport for London Northern Line JOHN WELLS • Managing Director of A.J Wells & Sons Ltd.

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Extension and Crossrail Elizabeth Line projects.

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Alfred J Wells with his wife Eileen and their nine children.

Standing from left: Alistair, Pete, Alan, John, Tim and Phil.

Seated from left: Alfred with Roger, Eileen, Pam and Paul.

1970

NITON Established in 1972, by Alfred Wells and two of his sons. Started as a small engineering business in Niton on the Isle of Wight.

1972

NITON Alfred Wells, Phil Wells and John Wells at the Niton workshop.

1972

IRONWORKS In addition to tractor and machinery repairs the company diversified into ironworks creating gates, railings and fire escapes for homes and hotels across the Island.

1973

IRONWORKS & FIRE HOODS Work also included freestanding fireplaces.

1974

THE BEACON A combination of the 70s oil crisis and the spread of Dutch Elm Disease in the UK led to the company producing their first woodburning stove. Oil prices had rocketed but there was a plentiful supply of wood so consumers were looking at alternative ways in which to heat their homes. The Charnwood Beacon Stove was born.

1974

THE BEACON BROCHURE The first stove leaflet was block printed by Island printers Crossprint - the same company we use to print our brochures today.

1975

THE BEACON The first marketing image complete with dog.

1976

THE NITON WORKSHOP

1977

THE CHARNWOOD CH The success of the Beacon led to development of a second stove the CH:. an 11KW stove with a vitreous enamel exterior and double glazed doors.

1978

THE CHARNWOOD CH

1979

THE CHARNWOOD CHB Charnwood’s first purpose built boiler stove, the CHB was launched providing enough heat for hot water and 6 radiators.

1980

WESTMINSTER LANE, NEWPORT A.J Wells & Sons soon out-grew the Niton workshop and moved to Westminster Lane in Newport.

1980

THE CHARNWOOD LW The range of stoves continued to grow. The LW was launched in 1981 designed for the smaller room.

1981

THE CHARNWOOD SW The SW was added to the range of stoves to cover potential heating requirement from 6kW to 11kW

1982

STOVE SHOWS The Charnwood brand became more established as the company exhibited at agricultural shows across the UK

1982

THE CHARNWOOD SW

1983

LOCAL PRESS “During the last 6 years, the partnership of A.J Wells & Sons has established and successfully developed the business of assembling and marketing multi-fuel fires, selling widely at home and abroad. Throughout this period, the Bank [Lloyds] has fully supported this progress with essential finance and a range of other services”

1983

THE CHARNWOOD CW 50 / 50B The Charnwood CW range was introduced starting with the freestanding CW50 and CW50B. This range included an innovative multi-fuel grate for burning many types of fuel.

1984

THE CHARNWOOD CW 40 / 40B The CW 40 and CW 40B followed shortly afterwards

1985

THE CHARNWOOD CW 40 / 40B

1986

THE CHARNWOOD CW 20i / 45iB / 50iB Further additions to the CW range were introduced. These were designed to be inset into the wall.

1987

THE CHARNWOOD CW 20i / 45iB / 50iB Wellington the Cocker Spaniel became the first ‘face’ of Charnwood

1988

THE CHARNWOOD FIREFLOW Charnwood launched a revolutionary new stove concept. The fireflow was a self refuelling and ash clearing stove.

1989

FIREFLOW The fireflow could be operated by remote control to control the amount of anthracite added to the fire to increase or decrease heat and flame. Weather man Michael Fish with Philip Wells

1989

THE WELLS FAMILY MEMBERS IN THE BUSINESS

1989

NEW VITREOUS ENAMEL PLANT In 1990 A.J Wells & Sons installed their own vitreous enamel plant enabling stoves to be enamelled in-house.This major investment was the start of a new direction for the company: A.J Wells & Sons Vitreous Enamellers.

1990

THE CHARNWOOD FIRECLASS The Fireclass was bought to the market. European inspired with a single, vitreous enamel door.

1990

THE BARBICAN CENTRE A.J Wells & Sons Vitreous Enamellers began to produce signage. Specified for it’s longlasting and durable finish. One of the first major contracts was the resigning of London’s Barbican Centre

1991

VICTORIA COACH STATION Vitreous enamel cladding panels and signage.

1991

LONDON UNDERGROUND The beginning of A.J Wells & Sons relationship with TFL - producing vitreous enamel signs, diagrams and cladding for the iconic London Underground

1992

THE CHARNWOOD COUNTRY 8 The Charnwood Country 8 was launched. The new range had an exceptionally cleanburn airwash system and sophisticated riddling grate. Comedian Tommy Cannon with his Country 8

1992

THE CHARNWOOD LA 20i / 30iB The LA (Local Authority) range was developed. This full central heating range was designed specifically for business and council properties.

1993

THE CHARNWOOD COUNTRY 12 The success of the Country 8 led on to the expansion of the Country range. The 12kW Country 12 was designed for bigger homes and open plan living areas.

1993

LONDON UNDERGROUND Work for London Underground continued to grow as we undertook complete station refurbishments producing everything from doorplates to cladding..

1994

THE CHARNWOOD COUNTRY 6 The popular Country 6 was added to the Country range of stoves.

1995

FACTORY MOVE TO BISHOPS WAY, NEWPORT The business outgrew the Westminster Lane site and in 1996 the company moved the entire outfit to one building on Bishops Way, Newport.

1996

ANKI CHIMNEY SYSTEMS A.J Wells & Sons expanded the stove business by offering pumice chimney systems imported from Denmark.

1997

THE CHARNWOOD COUNTRY 4 The iconic Country 4 was launched.

1998

THE COUNTRY 14B The Country range expanded yet again with the launch of a full central heating boiler model - The Country 14B.

1999

CHARNWOOD FRANCE The company began to investigate the French stove market. The first sales to France were made.

1999

THE CHARNWOOD SLX Charnwood introduced the new SLX multifuel range. A contemporary enamelled twin door stove available as a roomheater or boiler model.

2000

THE CHARNWOOD OLX Launched alongside the SLX the OLX was an oil fired central heating boiler model.

2000

THE CHARNWOOD SLX

2001

ALISTAIR

PETE

ALAN

THE WELLS FAMILY MEMBERS IN THE BUSINESS

JOHN

PAUL

PHIL

HUGH

MARK

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GUY

2002

BODJ PRODUCTS Charnwood began working alongside Bright Arrows Development Ltd. in Cambodia to develop a range of ethically sourced fireside accessories and hearth tiles to complement the stoves.

2002

THE CHARNWOOD ISLAND I & II The Island range was launched at the Royal Yacht Squadron in Cowes on the Isle of Wight.

Pheobe the black Labrador was unveiled as the new ‘face’ of Charnwood.

2002

CHARNWOOD PREMIER DEALERS Coinciding with the launch of the Island range Charnwood established it’s Premier Dealership scheme carefully selecting the best UK and Irish stoveshops to sell exclusive Charnwood products.

2002

THE CHARNWOOD GROSVENOR Based on the Country 4 the Grosvenor gas fired stove was brought to market.

2002

CHARNWOOD EXHIBITIONS Charnwood continued to tour the UK’s agricultural shows with live display show trailers.

2003

CHARNWOOD FRANCE The company exhibited for the first time at the Batimat trade fair in Paris.

Soon after a permanent French office was established.

2003

THE CHARNWOOD ISLAND III The 12kW Island III was added to the range.

2003

THE CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW A.J Wells & Sons Vitreous Enamellers hit the headlines as they assisted celebrity gardener Diarmuid Gavin Chelsea Flower Show entry. Five thousand vitreous enamelled balls formed part of Diarmuid Gavin’s garden pod. The project was filmed as part of a BBC documentary.

2004

CHARNWOOD JAPAN Export markets continued to grow for Charnwood. Moving into Japan...

2004

CHARNWOOD SOUTH AFRICA ... and into South Africa

2004

CHARNWOOD REBRANDED The new Charnwood logo and branding was launched.

2004

EXHIBITIONS Charnwood continue to exhibit internationally and across the UK.

2004

THE CHARNWOOD COVE 2 & 3 The Charnwood Cove range was launched at Priory Bay Country House. Over 100 guests from around the world arrived by Hovercraft - landing on the beach.

2005

THE CHARNWOOD COVE 3 The Charnwood Cove 3 was designed to burn a 50cm log - ideal for the rapidly expanding French market

2005

SOUTHERN A.J Wells & Sons Vitreous Enamellers re-signed the entire Southern railway network - 148 stations in total.

2005

BODJ BASKETWARE Charnwood began working with a number of small basket producers to add to their fair trade fireside range.

2005

THE CHARNWOOD COVE 1 The small 5kW Cove 1 completed the Cove range.

2006

WESTMINSTER MURAL A.J Wells & Sons Vitreous Enamellers created a mural celebrating the partnership between Westminster station and the Royal Navy Frigate HMS Westminster. It was one of the largest hand printed photographic artworks in enamel ever produced.

2006

THE CHARNWOOD ISLAND IIIB The Island IIIB full central heating stove was launched.

2007

THE CHARNWOOD COUNTRY 16B The Country 16B full central heating stove was launched.

2007

DOCKLANDS LIGHT RAILWAY A.J Wells & Sons Vitreous Enamellers manufactured much of the new DLR signage in preparation for the 2012 Olympics.

2007

THE CHARNWOOD COVE 2B The Cove 2B full central heating stove was launched.

2008

LONDON OVERGROUND A.J Wells & Sons Signage Specialists produced enamelled signage and illuminated super graphics for the new London Overground.

2008

LONDON OVERGROUND Illuminated super graphics for the new London Overground.

2008

THE BRITISH DESIGN AWARDS Working in partnership with Elle Decoration Magazine, Graham & Brown and Kuchen Lab, Charnwood hosted the British Design Awards 2008. As part of the publicity Charnwood’s stoves were photographed at London’s Wallace Collection.

2008

INVESTMENT A.J Wells & Sons Ltd. undertake a £3 million investment plan to streamline production.

2008

LAUNCH OF THE CHARNWOOD TOR The Charnwood Tor was unveiled at a spectacular lake side ceremony at Wootton Creek on the Isle of Wight. The Tor was Charnwood’s most innovative stove to date. A freestanding contemporary fire with 3 large glass viewing panels.

2009

AYLESBURY BUS TERMINAL Artist Laura Boswell worked at A.J Wells & Sons’ studios to produce Europe’s largest vitreous enamel art piece for Buckinghamshire County Council. The panels were part of an urban regeneration scheme to clad Aylesbury Bus terminal.and the surrounding underpass

2009

THE QUEENS AWARDS FOR ENTERPRISE A.J Wells & Sons Ltd. was awarded the Queens Awards for Enterprise: International Trade

2009

THE CHARNWOOD TOR PICO The Tor Pico, a scaled down version of the Tor, was launched.

2010

CHARNWOOD ISLAND STORE STAND & HIGH LEGS Optional store stands and high legs for the Island range were introduced.

2010

A.J WELLS & SONS HAD GRAND DESIGNS Architect Lincoln Miles and artist Lisa Traxler approached A.J Wells during the building of their home.

They wanted to clad a section of the house in enamel with an applied artwork by Lisa. This spectacular project was filmed by Channel 4’s Grand Designs.

2010

THE NEW CHARNWOOD DOG Rona was introduced and trained up as the new ‘face’ as Phoebe nears retirement.

2010

THE C-FOUR The C-Four is unveiled and becomes Charnwood’s fastest selling stove to date.

2011

MEL HOWSE & CHRISTIAN AID Artist Mel Howse undertook a commission from Christian Aid. Working in the A.J Wells & Sons studios she produced two sculptural enamelled bowls. The bowls tour UK Cathedrals throughout 2011/2012

2011

THE FAT LIP Bodj’s latest basket the ‘Fat lip’ designed by NZ designer Chris Jackson launches to rave reviews winning two international design awards.

2011

CHARNWOOD IN NORTH AMERICA & CANADA Charnwood move into North America and Canada.

2011

EDGEWARE ROAD A.J Wells designed, manufactured and installed around 1500 square metres of vitreous enamel artwork cladding at the New Griffith House building and boundary wall at Chapel Street, London, as part of a London Underground Upgrade Package.

2011

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THE WELLS FAMILY MEMBERS IN THE BUSINESS

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2012

A.J WELLS & SONS LTD CELEBRATES 40 YEARS Celebrating 40 years of British design, manufacture and innovation.

2012

CHARNWOOD ISLAND II CT Charnwood launch the Island II CT - a new cooking top stove designed to work in open-plan living spaces where lounging, cooking and dining areas are merged.

2012

BUSINESS IS GREAT BRITAIN A.J Wells & Sons feature as one of the faces of the Business is Great Britain campaign.

2013

VITREOUS ENAMEL CLADDING FOR HARRODS A.J Wells manufactured and installed over 600 square metres of vitreous enamel cladding panels for the fourth floor of world renowned department store Harrods.

2013

CHARNWOOD C-FIVE, C-SIX, C-SEVEN & C-EIGHT Building on the nationally acclaimed C-Four; including the award for ‘Stove of the decade’ by The Sunday Times, Charnwood launch the C-Five, Six, Seven, Eight. This complete range truely creates a wood burning stove for every situation.

2013

A.J WELLS JOIN THE TRADE DELEGATION TO CHINA Our director Hugh Wells was invited along with 150 business leaders to join the Prime Minister’s trade delegation to China.

2013

LONDON SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS A.J Wells manufactured three hundred square meters of coloured vitreous enamel cladding covering a lift shaft in the new students centre at the London School of Economics and Political Science on its Aldwych campus..

2013

CHARNWOOD LAUNCHES THE BAY & BAY GT The Bay is the definitive new insert wood burning stove. Featuring a large landscape window framed with a gently curved surround. Also within the range is the Bay GT a deluxe version with a built in convection fan for effective heat distribution to the room.

2014

CHARNWOOD INTRODUCE INNOVATIVE BLU TECHNOLOGY The development of Charnwoods BLU technology has enabled Charnwood stoves to stay at the forefront of environmentally friendly and sustainable wood burning. Fewer emissions, fewer particulates and a beautiful flame pattern are just some of the benefits. BLU technology would now feature in all new Charnwood products...

2014

THE C-FOUR INSERT IS ADDED TO THE C-SERIES RANGE The C-Four Insert has the same specification as the C-Four but is designed to be inserted into the wall. The stove also features our renowned converting grate for highly efficient and clean burning and a built-in convection fan to direct warm air into the room

2014

V I T R E O U S E N A M E L S U R FAC E S FOR THE LIVING ENVIRONMENT

A.J WELLS ESTABLISH VLAZE: VITREOUS ENAMEL A new brand focusing on vitreous enamel for the living environment. Debuting enamel fireplace panels and heat shields for stove surrounds in collaboration with Charnwood.

2014

THOMAS HEATHERWICK: BOMBAY SAPPHIRE DISTILLERY A.J Wells designed and manufactured 17 unique bar sections for the Mill Bar based at the new Thomas Heatherwick designed distillery. The unique finish had to flow seamlessly across all of the sections of the bar top.

2014

The Bembridge WOOD BURNING STOVE FROM CHARNWOOD

THE BEMBRIDGE: CHARNWOOD & COUNTRY LIVING MAGAZINE Charnwood launched The Bembridge wood burning stove in collaboration Country Living Magazine. The Bembridge epitomises the Country Living look giving a nod towards the traditional while still retaining a modern, classic look.

2015

A.J WELLS AWARDED TFL CROSSRAIL CONTRACT A.J Wells has designed, developed, manufactured and installed thousands of signs ranging from door plates and totems, to illuminated fascias and roundels for many of the new Crossrail, Elizabeth Line stations.

2015

CHARNWOOD BAY VL The BAY VL is the modern counterpart of the popular Bay 5. It features a large landscape window with a sharp edged picture frame to give a uninterrupted view of the fire.

2015

CHARNWOOD LAUNCHES THE NEW ARC Drawing inspiration from the west coast of the Isle of Wight the Arc’s pared down simplicity echoes the undulating fields and open space. Designed to simplify the process of burning wood and smokeless fuels the 5kW stove achieves exceptional efficiencies with very low emissions.

2016

FRANK PICK MEMORIAL A.J Wells manufactured and installed a memorial to Frank Pick, the London Underground design visionary who shaped the look of the iconic London Underground. Commissioned by Art on the Underground the concept was designed by artists Langlands & Bell and was unveiled at Piccadilly Circus station on the 8th November 2016.

2016

CHARNWOOD BAY BX The BAY BX formed part of Charnwoods new generation of wood burning stoves that exceed both DEFRA exemption limits and the new Ecodesign standards making it one of the most effiecient stoves on the market. The Bay BX can be installed directly onto a hearth on a choice of three base options to raise the stove up.

2016

CHARNWOOD LAUNCHES THE NEW SKYE Inspired by the Isle of Wights coastline with its sculptural sea walls and concrete defences. In much the same way that these contain the Island’s wild seas the Skye contains the flames of the fire. It’s classically minimal with a soft modern edge.

2017

TOM DIXON A.J Wells secured a tender to produce and install bespoke splashbacks for 40 Tom Dixon designed apartments at the Upper Riverside Complex on the Greenwich Peninsula.

2017

CHARNWOOD ARC 7 Charnwood adds the Arc 7 to the popular Arc range of stoves.

2017

THE ALL NEW ISLAND I A complete redesign of our classic twin door stove. With cleaner lines, true symmetry and a larger picture window (38% larger than the original Island) this stove boasts an efficiency in excess of 85% and an extremely low smoke level, taking this iconic stove into the future.

2018

HAPPY STREET A.J Wells surveyed, manufactured, and installed a vitreous enamel cladding panel system for Yinka Ilori’s Happy Street project at Thessaly Road Railway Bridge, Nine Elms, Wandsworth.

2019

CHARNWOOD SKYE 7 Drawing on the great success of the Skye 5 here is the Skye 7. All the features and the same minimal soft lines but with a larger 7kW output.

2019

THE ALL NEW ISLAND II The All New ISLAND II from Charnwood is the latest addition to our All New Island range of multi-fuel stoves. This stove is a complete redesign of the classic twin door stove with cleaner lines, true symmetry and a much larger picture window.

2019

THE ALL NEW CHARNWOOD AIRE 5 The Aire was introduced as a refreshing new take on woodburning, it features a beautifully designed ergonomic handle and at its realease boasted Charnwoods largest ever picture window.

2019

SONY PLAYSTATION A.J Wells & Sons were commissioned by Transport for London to create four giant illuminated Underground signs in the shape of the PlayStation buttons for the 2020 launch of the PlayStation 5.

2020

CHARNWOOD AIRE 3 & 7 Two new additions to complete the Aire collection. The Aire 3 designed for smaller spaces such as tiny homes, home offices and with the addition of the Stove Pod in yurts and bell tents. The Aire 7 is designed for larger rooms or open plan areas where it becomes the focal point of any room.

2020

VLAZE LAUNCHES THE ADAPT A new range of vitreous enamel indoor/outdoor modular kitchens and furniture is launched across the globe in the UK, Europe and USA. Visit VLAZE.CO for more information.

2020

CHARNWOOD FIREBALL The Charnwood Fire Ball was lauched. It is a fabulously fun, self-assembly fire pit kit. A modern, sculptural piece for the garden with a rustic finish. The Fireball has been a burning success.

2021

CHARNWOOD INTRODUCES THE CRANMORE 5 & 7 This stove collection takes inspiration from the Regency era with a single framed glass door and archetypal detailing. Designed with our largest ever picture window and burns with a mesmerising flame pattern that is second to none.

2021

TFL - NORTHERN LINE EXTENSION A.J Wells & Sons Ltd are proud to have surveyed, designed, manufactured, and installed the signage throughout the 1 billion pound Transport for London Northern Line Extension (NLE) project.

2021

CLEARSKIES Charnwood are proud to have stoves certified in the clearSkies listing, an independent emissions and energy performance certification mark for stoves. clearSkies is a UK-wide programme to help lower emissions and improve air quality.

2021

NEW INVESTMENT As demand grows for wood burning stoves we were pleased to announce that we were able to make a significant investment in our infrastructure with the installation of a state-of-the-art automated storage and laser cutting system.

2021

CHARNWOOD WELCOMES NEW MEMBER Charnwood were very excited to introduce you all to Toast, our new member of the team. Follow Toast @Charnwoof

2021

VLAZE ADAPT FINDS A NEW HOME IN USA The VLAZE ADAPT and some of the team at A.J Wells head to the USA to showcase the benefits and capabilities of vitreous enamel. We were genuinely overwhelmed by the positive feedback and we are excited about the future...

2022

CHARNWOOD NORTH AMERICA & SKYE E700 The world’s first intelligent wood burning stove. The Skye E700 will be available first on the North American market. The new EPA 2020 regulations made this the best place to launch this new technology.

According to EPA it is the MOST efficient non-catalytic stove available on the market today.

2022

GABE

ALICE

TOM

AMY

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GUY

THE WELLS FAMILY MEMBERS IN THE BUSINESS TODAY

GEORGE

SAM

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ARK

EMMA

HUGH

ALEX

RICHARD

PAUL

JOHN

ALAN

ALISTAIR

TOAST

2022

SOME OF THE 150 STAFF MEMBERS WHO WORK FOR THE COMPANY TODAY

2022

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Thank you from us all at A.J Wells & Sons

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A . J W E L L S & S O N S LT D . BISHOPS WAY, NEWPORT, ISLE OF WIGHT PO30 5WS, UK CHARNWOOD.COM

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