In 1884 the company was started by John Tunner Rubery (1849-1920) and his two brothers (Samuel 1844-1910 and Thomas William 1856-1925), as an ironworks manufacturing gates and fences.[1] In 1893 trained engineer Alfred Ernest Owen joined John Rubery, replacing his two brothers, and in 1903 the company name of Rubery Owen was established.[2]
When John Rubery retired in 1910, the partnership was bought out by Owen and by 1912 the company had expanded into aviation engineering, motor frames and roofing, in addition to fencing manufacture.[2]
The company expanded during the 1920s and 1930s to include the production of metal airframes, metal storage equipment, steel pulleys and armour plate. They also acquired a Warrington hydraulic company Conveyancer Fork Trucks Ltd which became Rubery Owen Conveyancer, and which claims to have launched the UK's first forklift truck in 1946.[2]
During World War II they concentrated on supporting the war effort, producing parts for military aircraft,[2] and Brodie helmets.
Bolt (fastener)#bolt heads of early post-war Rubery Owen production were marked simply with "RO", and then "Rubery Owen" was spelled out; these bolts made their way to any number of British factories building motor-vehicles, from automobiles to motorcycles. At the same time the company widened its range to include other engineering compoments for industry, including ploughs for Ferguson Tractors, metal pressings, fasteners, motor vehicle components and structural steel components for the building industry.[2]
In 1950 the company became a member of the new holding company, the "Owen Organisation", under the same ownership.[2] In 1956 they were designing and manufacturing aircraft landing gear. There was a large test rig where the wheel assembly was held, the wheel spun up to the equivalent landing speed and then dropped onto the "ground" to simulate the landing process. Measuring equipment recorded the stresses.
In the 1960s and 1970s Rubery Owen supplied many components and parts to the British motor industry but the most recognised is the Rostyle wheel (the word 'Rostyle' being a contraction of RO-Style). These were distinctive steel disc wheels pressed to a shape to give the effect of spokes. Rostyle wheels were common on British cars of the period both as manufacturer fitted options and aftermarket accessories.
In 1977 Coventry Climax acquired the Warrington forklift truck business of Rubery Owen Conveyancer.
In 1981 the main Darlaston works closed down.
Rubery Owen is now managed by David Owen, and co run by Jim Owen. David Owen recently sold the building for £1 to Walsall Housing Regeneration Agency (WHRA), a local charity who offers numerous projects based in Darlaston and surrounding areas. David and a small team are still based within Rubery Owen.
Catalogue of the Rubery Owen (Darlaston) Ltd archives, held at the Modern Records Centre, University of Warwick
January 07, 2023
rubery, owen, british, engineering, company, which, founded, 1884, darlaston, west, midlands, contents, history, owen, group, companies, 1965, references, external, linkshistory, editin, 1884, company, started, john, tunner, rubery, 1849, 1920, brothers, samue. Rubery Owen is a British engineering company which was founded in 1884 in Darlaston West Midlands Contents 1 History 2 The Owen Group of Companies 1965 3 References 4 External linksHistory EditIn 1884 the company was started by John Tunner Rubery 1849 1920 and his two brothers Samuel 1844 1910 and Thomas William 1856 1925 as an ironworks manufacturing gates and fences 1 In 1893 trained engineer Alfred Ernest Owen joined John Rubery replacing his two brothers and in 1903 the company name of Rubery Owen was established 2 When John Rubery retired in 1910 the partnership was bought out by Owen and by 1912 the company had expanded into aviation engineering motor frames and roofing in addition to fencing manufacture 2 Warrington built Conveyancer fork lift truck loading a Bristol 170 Freighter aircraft at Manchester Airport in 1952 The company expanded during the 1920s and 1930s to include the production of metal airframes metal storage equipment steel pulleys and armour plate They also acquired a Warrington hydraulic company Conveyancer Fork Trucks Ltd which became Rubery Owen Conveyancer and which claims to have launched the UK s first forklift truck in 1946 2 During World War II they concentrated on supporting the war effort producing parts for military aircraft 2 and Brodie helmets Bolt fastener bolt heads of early post war Rubery Owen production were marked simply with RO and then Rubery Owen was spelled out these bolts made their way to any number of British factories building motor vehicles from automobiles to motorcycles At the same time the company widened its range to include other engineering compoments for industry including ploughs for Ferguson Tractors metal pressings fasteners motor vehicle components and structural steel components for the building industry 2 In 1950 the company became a member of the new holding company the Owen Organisation under the same ownership 2 In 1956 they were designing and manufacturing aircraft landing gear There was a large test rig where the wheel assembly was held the wheel spun up to the equivalent landing speed and then dropped onto the ground to simulate the landing process Measuring equipment recorded the stresses In the 1960s and 1970s Rubery Owen supplied many components and parts to the British motor industry but the most recognised is the Rostyle wheel the word Rostyle being a contraction of RO Style These were distinctive steel disc wheels pressed to a shape to give the effect of spokes Rostyle wheels were common on British cars of the period both as manufacturer fitted options and aftermarket accessories In 1977 Coventry Climax acquired the Warrington forklift truck business of Rubery Owen Conveyancer In 1981 the main Darlaston works closed down Rubery Owen is now managed by David Owen and co run by Jim Owen David Owen recently sold the building for 1 to Walsall Housing Regeneration Agency WHRA a local charity who offers numerous projects based in Darlaston and surrounding areas David and a small team are still based within Rubery Owen The Owen Group of Companies 1965 EditEnglandRubery Owen amp Co Darlaston Coventry West Bromwich Wolverhampton Prees Pensnett Willenhall Moxley Bourne Bentley Hall Brick Co Walsall Bowser International London W Brealey amp Co Sheffield The Brooke Tool Mfg Co BirminghamBrooke Tool Automation Birmingham T S Harrison amp Sons Heckmondwike Boxford Machine Tools Halifax Fred Whiteley Halifax Steel Fabrications Halifax Halifax dd E Camelinat amp Co Birmingham The Castra Electric Washing Machine Co Rodley Leeds Chains Wednesbury Charles Clark amp Son WolverhamptonBull Stake Motors Darlaston Darlaston Charles Clark Stafford Stafford Charles Clark amp Son Commercial Vehicles Wolverhampton dd Esiclene Porcelain Enamel 1938 Wolverhampton Electro Hydraulics WarringtonConveyancer Fork Trucks Warrington Conveyancer Scott Electric Vehicles Warrington Conveyancer Raymond Warrington dd Gasel Appliances Darlaston Gasel Oakengates Joseph Gillott amp Sons Sheffield Proprietors Cardinal Steels Gillotts Forge and Rolling Mills Sheffield dd W Gwennap Agricultural Stafford C amp L Hill WillenhallC amp L Hill Diecastings Willenhall Hill Alzen Sales Willenhall dd Central Patternmaking Co Willenhall Hudson Brown Oldbury Invicta Electrodes Willenhall Leabank Office Equipment London Motor Panels Coventry Coventry Nuts amp Bolts Darlaston DarlastonJ Stanley amp Co Wednesbury dd Owen Kleine Structures Darlaston Shuker amp Son Shrewsbury Shrewsbury J W Baker amp Co Darlaston A Warden amp Co London Rubery Owen Kepston Pensnett Rubery Owen Warrington Warrington Rubery Owen Drott London Salopian Engineers Prees Salop Salopian Kenneth Hudson Prees Salop Shorrock Superchargers Wednesbury A G Sutherland BirminghamH T Developments Birmingham J B Williams Maxstoke Birmingham dd ScotlandRubery Owen amp Co Cumbernauld William Donaldson Engineers PaisleyWalesRubery Owen amp Co Wrexham Rogers amp Jackson WrexhamR amp J Wrexham Wholesale Wrexham J E Brassey amp Son Wrexham dd E Camelinat amp Co Dowlais Nuts amp Bolts Darlaston TredegarAustraliaRubery Owen amp Kemsley Pty Finsbury SA Moorabbin Vic Conveyancer Fork Trucks Australia Pty Rosebery NSWSouth AfricaRuberowen South Africa Vanderbijlpark Transvaal Ruberowen Metal Pressings Roodeport Transvaal Port Elizabeth Cape Province Rubery Owen amp Scott S A DurbanIndiaMahindra Owen BombayCanadaRubery Owen Canada TorontoReferences Edit Rubery and Co Grace s Guide to British Industrial History Grace s Guide Archived from the original on 18 September 2020 Retrieved 2 January 2022 a b c d e f Rubery Owen and Co Grace s Guide to British Industrial History Grace s Guide Archived from the original on 2 March 2021 Retrieved 2 January 2022 Parker Bev A Brief History of Darlaston Years of Growth Archived from the original on 27 April 2006 Retrieved 2 July 2006 External links EditUpstairs Downstairs At The Factory Time Magazine article Rubery Owen Company website Rubery Owen History Rozone Ltd Catalogue of the Rubery Owen Holdings Ltd archives held at the Modern Records Centre University of Warwick Catalogue of the Rubery Owen Darlaston Ltd archives held at the Modern Records Centre University of Warwick Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Rubery Owen amp oldid 1089938349, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
