1900-1999
1900
Mr E. Llewellyn Rogers & Mr C. Edgar Jackson took over the running of the ironmongery business in Wrexham.
Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, was born in Hertfordshire as Lady Elizabeth Bowes Lyon.
1901
Queen Victoria passed away in January aged 81 and was succeeded by her son Edward VII at the age of 59.
It was reported that girls were flocking to work in the previously all-male brick works, lured by wages as much as 15 shillings (75p) a week.
The first transatlantic wireless signal was sent from Cornwall and received by Marconi in Newfoundland.
1903
A.E. Owen, who had been trained as an engineer, was very much more active than his senior partner and the change in the relative strengths of the partners was reflected in the change of name to Rubery, Owen & Company.
The Ford Motor Company was formed in the United States, June 16th.
The first flight by the Wright Brothers at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina was carried out on 17th December.
1904
The first car was produced, April 1st, by Henry Royce's firm.
Messrs Gibbs and Dumbell of Wolverhampton market a new photographic device for trapping speeding motorists.
SOS was adopted as the international distress signal.
The Piccadilly Line of the London Underground was opened on 15th December.
1905
The company of J. T. Rubery, which Alfred Ernest Owen bought into now becomes Rubery Owen & Co.
1907
The first Isle Of Man TT race was held on 28th May.
The Territorial Army was founded by the War Seretary, Richard Haldane on 26th October.
1908
Mr C. Edgar Jackson dies, the business is converted into a limited company with Mr E. Llewellyn Rogers as principal.
1909
Old-age pensions became payable in Britain to people over the age of 70 as of 1st January.
A new British counter-espionage unit was formed, to be known as MI5.
1910
J. T. Rubery withdrew from the partnership and A.E. Owen became sole proprietor. The company had now expanded into aviation engineering, motor frames & roofing, in addition to fencing manufacture.
All over Britain amateur photographers tried to snap the first sighting of Halley's Commet on it's 1910 visit.
Florence Nightingale died at the age of 90, 13th August.
1912
A. E. Owen created a Staff Council with himself as the chairman and the major heads of department to assist him administer the the business. Charles Guy (roofing), Albery Wilkes (motor), William Slater (fencing), Henry S. Price (engineering) and William S. Stambridge (aviation).
1914
After the outbreak of World War I, Rubery Owen & Co., was almost the only firm in a position to supply the British Goverment with small aircraft components in any significant quantity.
1915
Rogers & Jackson celebrate their 100th anniversary. Extensive alterations are carried out on their premises on High Street, Wrexham.
1918
A. E. Owen becomes Chairman of the company, Rogers & Jackson.
1920-1930
The company fought it's way through the depression of the early 20's and by the end of the decade the business was expanding. New developments include the production of metal airframes, metal storage equipment, steel pulleys and armour plate. They also acquired a Warrington hydraulic company which became Rubery Owen Conveyancer.
On April 14th 1920, under the urgent instruction of his accountant, Charles Eustace Partridge, a private limited company, Rubery Owen & Co. Ltd., was registered. A. E. Owen was reluctant to transfer the assets of his business to the new company.
1923
During December of 1923, the firm struggled to get costs down to competative levels. A weeks notice was given to all workmen to terminate their service with the firm, and a clean start was made by re-engaging only such men as were essential. To achieve these rates George Buckley, the secretary and Charles Partridge, the accountant were appointed to Joint General Managers.
1925
A fine showroom for the display of grates, ranges and builders' and plumbers' merchandise was erected in Chester Street, alongside the agricultural warehouse, originally instituted by A. E. Owen, of Wood Hey.
1927
The premises perviously known as the Cambrian Ironworks were purchased for development. It was here that Rogers & Jackson Ltd., transferred their head office.
Godoyear Wolverhampton officially opens.
1929
Shortly before he was due to visit the USA, A. E. Owen drew up his will. He died on 29th December and it took until 1934 before his executors were able to separate his different interests and transfer the assets of Rubery Owen & Co., to the limited company.
1930
A. E. Owens sons, Alfred & Ernest took over the reins of the company on 2nd January. Structural departments were flourishing with some of the country's best known sporting stadia - Manchester United, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Derby County, Millwall and Twickenham having new stands erected as a result of Rubery Owen structural steelwork. Sir Alfred and Ernest led a highly skilled, motivated workforce that helped the people of Darlaston withstand the ravages of the Depression of the 1930's and which played a vital role in the Second World War. Rubery Owen's structural department at Darlaston was responsible for building shadow factories, aircraft hanger, Bailey bridges, tank-landing craft and components for the Mulberry Harbours that were so essential to the success of the Normandy Landings. During the 1930's, the motor-frame department made gun carriages, projectiles, mines and bomb-trolleys; the motor wheel department produced instrument containers, bomb carriers, anti-submarine weapsons, bomb tails and much more; whilst the aviation department turned out nuts and bolts for aircraft.
1931
Alfred & Ernest become directors of Rogers & Jackson Ltd.
1932
Alfred David Owen born, son of Alfred Owen.
1936
Rogers & Jackson embarked on building up to date premises covering over half an acre of ground in the town centre of Wrexham.
1938
They purchased a company in liquidation, Easiclene Porcelain-Enamel Ltd.
1939
John Ernest Owen born, son of Alfred Owen.
At the onset of the Second World War the firm had moved into a wide range of products, turning out everything from lifeboats and tank turrets to aircraft propeller hubs. By the end of the war the family employed more than 16,000 people worldwide through the Owen Organisation, described as a Linked Family of more than Fifty Companies.
1943
Mr E. Llewellyn Rogers passed away. The company of Rogers & Jackson now became a fully owned subsidiary of Rubery Owen & Co. Ltd., with Alfred Owen as Chairman.
1944
Rogers & Jackson Group purchased the business of Shuker & Son from Mr Fred Lowe. Mr Lowe had previously been an apprentice with Shuker & Son in his youth before acquiring the business. This part of the company became a very important link in the Owen Organisation who, through it's parent company, Rubery Owen & Co. Ltd., have been associated with the Ferguson system of mechanised farming throughout the post-war years with the manufacture of ploughs.
1945
British Racing Motors (BRM) is founded by Raymond Mays.
1946
Rubery Owen acquire a Warrington hydraulic company which became Rubery Owen Conveyancer, and which claims to have launched the UK's first forklift truck in 1946.
After World War II, the premises of Rogers & Jackson in Foregate Street were sold.
Under the direction of Ernest William Beech Owen (Alfreds brother), the Armour Plate department became the Agricultural Plough Division making some 700 different types of ploughs for the revolutionary Ferguson tractor, and, after that company's merger with Massey-Harris of Canada.
Alfred Owen is made OBE.
1947
The first Land Rover is shown to the public at the Amsterdam Car Show on April 30th.
1950
The late Harry Ferguson & the Owen brothers, joint Managing Directors of Rubery Owen & Co. Ltd., celebrated the turn-out of the 100,000th plough manufactured at Darlaston for the Ferguson system since 1946. Rubery Owen were turning out a wide variety at the rate of 1000 a month.
1951
The Rubery Owen group consisted of 28 member companies employing over 12,000 in operations as diverse as aerospace (Aviation Department, Messier Ltd.), domestic equipment (Easiclene), fork lift trucks (Conveyancer), office furniture (Leabank), nuts, bolts, chains, tools, agricultural implement and of course automotive components (chassis, wheels, etc).
1952
Alfred Owen takes over the trust of BRM on 24th October. His daughter, Helen, joined the company and worked in the Head Office until her marriage. She was closely associated with the Company's pioneering Preparation for Retirement programme and introduced Industrial Life and Christian Teamwork into the workplace. She was also responsible for Office Development.
1954
BRM, with Alfreds influence, became known as the Owen Motor Racing Association, with it's works at Bourne, Lincs called the Engine Development Division.
Alfred is promoted to Commander of the order (OBE).
1955
Rogers & Jackson commenced operations as authorised distributors for Shell-Mex & BP Ltd., with depots at Oswestry & Dolgellau. 4 vehicles operated from the Oswestry site with a carrying capactiy of 6500 gallons. 2 vehicles operated out of Dolgellau with a carrying capactiy of 2500 gallons.
The Organisation's companies and associated companies rose from 14 in this year all in the UK, to 66 UK and 18 overseas companies in 1969.
1956
The company was constructed into seven divisions : motor, structural, contracts, bolt & nut, metal assemblies, metal equipment, rowen-arc.
1960
Princess Margaret visits Rubery Owen at Darlaston.
Owen Racing Organisation (formerley BRM) is handed over to Louis Stanley, husband of Alfred Owen's sister, Jean.
The racing organisation is involved with Donald Campbell's gas-turbine Bluebird project.
1961
Whilst Yuri Gagarin is the first human to orbit the earth in Vostok 1, Alfred Owen becomes "Sir Alfred Owen". - Knight Batchelor for services to local government. David Owen, following his graduation from Emmanual College, Cambridge, started the Motor Division, after completing National Service and became its General Manager in 1963.
Ernests daughter, Elizabeth worked as her father's secretary and was closely associated with his agricultural interests until her marriage.
1962
BRM win the constructors title while Graham Hill became world champion.
1963
Rogers & Jackson acquire a new site on Frankwell Quay after vacating the premises on Roushill Bank with the co-operation of the borough council. Trading as Rogers & Jackson Incorporating Shuker & Son (Shrewsbury) Ltd. It was in this year also that Shukers acquired the Massey-Ferguson-Butler franchise which included the Stor-N-Bin Hopper system.
John Owen, son of Sir Alfred Owen, makes his international debut playing rugby for England against Wales, winning 13-6. He joined the firm following a year as a Management Trainee at Jaguar Cars Ltd. He was Managing Director of the Easiclene company, responsible for the organisation's domestic and office equipment activities.
Rover & BRM join forces to become Rover-BRM and enter the Le Mans 24hour with their gas turbine-powered sports prototype, driven by Graham Hill and Richie Ginther.
1964
Whilst Harold Wilson becomes Prime Minister, the Frankwell Quay depot was dealing with bulk merchandise - the whole construction field being amply covered. Supplying materials for construction on the Clywedog dam (among other developments). Structural steelwork for the Frankwell premises was undertaken by Rubery Owen of Darlaston while pallets, metal binning and partitioning came from the Wrexham factory.
"Shukers are confident that with the swing to bulk handling they are in a position to meet farmers present & future needs".
1965
Sir Alfred is made an Honorary D.Sc. of the University College of North Staffordshire.
Jackie Stewart signs for BRM, alongside Graham Hill and goes on to win the Italian Grand Prix at Monza on 12th September driving a P261 1.5L V8.
During the Spring. Five and a half years after it's introduction, Rubery Owen congratulated the British Motor Corporation when the millionth Mini came off the production lines in Birmingham.
1966
During September, Rubery Owen & Co. Ltd., converted into a holdings company and it's associated factories were transferred to a new company, also called Rubery Owen & Co. Ltd.
Sir Alfreds daughter Jean, joined the company in the Estates Department and was especially involved in the development of the camping and chalet leisure site at Dyffryn in Wales. Later she was appointed a director of Chains Ltd., and looked after her father's interests in New Hall Farms Ltd, and the Park House restaurant in Sutton Coldfield.
David and John were appointed directors and start to shadow the senior family directors, David following the Chairman's role, and John operating in the Domestic Equipment Division.
1967
John Owen makes his final appearance playing rugby for England at Twickenham against New Zealand, England lost 23-11. In total John Owen has won 14 caps playing rugby for England.
Sir Alfreds other son Robert, joined the company and after completing a HND course in Business Studies, working in the training department.
After the death of Ernest in February, John took over all of Ernest responsibilities. The brothers were appointed Joint Deputy Managing Directors in March.
1969
David Owen becomes Acting Chairman of the Group and supervises the management of the subsidiary UK and overseas companies. John Owen becomes Managing Director of the Darlaston companies and their associated factories in Moxley, Wednesbury, Wrexham and Warrington.
1970's
The downturn in the British Motor Industry, rapid inflation and industrial relations problems throughout the country meant difficult ties for everyone associated with manufacturing during this period. The Rubery Owen Darlaston adn King's Hill Factories were no exception. The Rubery Owen strike of 1976 closed the Darlaston factory for six weeks, nevertheless, up until 1979 there was a steady rate of production with scheduled deliveries being maintained to all customers.
Still dependant on the motor industry for 80% of its business, with 60% to 65% of that going to the newly formed British Leyland, Rubery Owen's management felt smaller units at Darlaston would provide a greater degree of flexibility and specialisation. To enable this process to happen a decision was taken to divide Darlaston into two companies : Rubery Owen (Pressings and Fabrications) Ltd and Rubery Owen (Wheels and Assemblies) Ltd. The holding company made sure that both new companies had the most modern equipment in Europe to help them compete in difficult times.
1974
Shukers at Bridgnorth moved from the Station Drive site to new premises on Hollybush Road. The site at Hollybush Road had been a former dance hall known as the Rose Marie and employees remember that the showroom floor remained as it had once been, highly polished and sprung and that the lighting rig which used to spotlight the boxing matches which took place from time to time, hung from the ceiling of the building for a number of years after Shukers took over.
1975
Rubery Owen & Co. Ltd., changed company name to Rubery Owen (Darlaston) Ltd.
1976
Mike Richardson joins the company at the Bridgnorth depot as a trainee mechanic. Mike has been with the company for 33 years (up to 2009) and is based at the Ludlow branch where he is one of the Service Advisors.
Ernests son Charles trained as a chartered accountant and joined the group.
1977
Rubery Owen Conveyancer was acquired by Coventry Climax.
1978
Charles was appointed a director of Rubery Owen (Metal Assemblies) Ltd.
1979
Charles is appointed Managing Director.
1981
The main Darlaston works is closed down. Over 6000 jobs had been lost during the course of the previous 5 years. The company took the decision that it would persue a strategy of "orderly exit" from its traditional manufacturing and engineering business - successful and growing manufacturing businesses were sold to organisations with access to larger amounts of capital and therefore better placed to drive their growth. Other operations were rationalised or closed.
1991
The new site for Shukers Ludlow opens for business on Tuesday 28th May. They moved from their site alongside the railway line at the bottom of New Road Bank to purpose built premises on Ludlow Business Park.
1993
The last major manufacturing interest was sold. Since then, the company has focused on 3 key areas - property investment and a number of independent subsidiaries.
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