Rubery Owen facts for kids
Rubery Owen is a British engineering company. It started way back in 1884 in a town called Darlaston, in the West Midlands.
Contents
A Look Back: Rubery Owen's History
How It All Started: Gates and Fences
In 1884, three brothers, John Tunner Rubery (born 1849), Samuel (born 1844), and Thomas William (born 1856), started a business. It was an ironworks, which means they made things out of iron. Their first products were gates and fences.
In 1893, a skilled engineer named Alfred Ernest Owen joined John Rubery. He took the place of John's two brothers. By 1903, the company officially became known as Rubery Owen.
Growing Bigger: From Fences to Planes
When John Rubery retired in 1910, Alfred Owen took full control of the company. By 1912, Rubery Owen had grown a lot! They started making parts for airplanes and car frames. They also made roofing materials, in addition to their original fences.
During the 1920s and 1930s, the company kept expanding. They began making metal parts for aircraft and metal storage units. They also produced steel pulleys and strong armor plates. Rubery Owen also bought a company in Warrington called Conveyancer Fork Trucks Ltd. This company later became Rubery Owen Conveyancer. They claim to have made the UK's very first forklift truck in 1946!
Helping Out During World War II
During World War II, Rubery Owen focused on helping the war effort. They made important items like jerrycans (special fuel containers). They also produced parts for military aircraft. The company even made helmets for soldiers (like the MKll helmet) and helmets for civilians to protect them.
New Products and Famous Wheels
After the war, Rubery Owen started making many different engineering parts for industries. They made ploughs for Ferguson Tractors. They also produced metal pressings, fasteners (like bolts), and parts for cars. They even made strong steel pieces for buildings.
In 1950, Rubery Owen became part of a new larger group called the "Owen Organisation." By 1956, they were designing and building landing gear for aircraft. They even had a huge test area. Here, they would spin a wheel assembly to the speed of a landing plane. Then, they would drop it onto the "ground" to copy a real landing. Special equipment measured all the forces involved.
In the 1960s and 1970s, Rubery Owen supplied many parts to the British car industry. One of their most famous products was the Rostyle wheel. The name 'Rostyle' came from "RO-Style" (RO for Rubery Owen). These were special steel wheels that looked like they had spokes. Rostyle wheels were very popular on British cars during that time. Car makers often fitted them, and people could also buy them as accessories.
Changes and Today
In 1977, another company called Coventry Climax bought the forklift truck business from Rubery Owen Conveyancer. Later, in 1981, the main factory in Darlaston closed down.
Today, Rubery Owen is managed by David Owen and co-run by Jim Owen. David Owen recently sold the old company building for a very small price (£1). He sold it to a local charity called Walsall Housing Regeneration Agency (WHRA). This charity helps people in Darlaston and nearby areas. David and a small team still work within Rubery Owen.
The Owen Group: A Big Family of Companies
By 1965, Rubery Owen had grown into a very large group of companies. They had many different businesses not just in England, but also in Scotland, Wales, Australia, South Africa, India, and Canada. This showed how much the company had expanded from its humble beginnings making gates and fences.
