John Thompson, Ltd., Thompson Horseley division, Tipton
- Ref No: D-EXP/P/I44/39
- Date: 13 Jun 1968
- Additional Information: Steam cleaning the inner shell of a stainless steel liquid gas storage vessel.
- Admin History: The John Thompson engineering operation was established around 1820 by canal boat and boiler maker William Thompson (1811-1878). Steam boiler production began around 1870, prompting the search for a new site which was found at Ettingshall. On John Thompson's death in 1918, the company was run by his sons William, Stephen John, James and Albert. In 1914, the firm was divided into four departments - Wolverhampton, Dudley, Water Tube and Motor Frame. During the First World War (1914-1918) the company made such items as steel cowls for Sopwith aircraft, and engine plates and engine cowls for Sunbeam aero engines. After the war, the company became incorporated. Four limited companies were set up in 1918 - John Thompson (Wolverhampton) Ltd., John Thompson (Dudley) Ltd., John Thompson Water Tube Boilers Ltd and John Thompson Motor Pressings Ltd. These departments were run as different limited companies who were also subsidiaries of the main company. During the Second World War (1939-1945), items such as military vehicle chassis frames, a "twenty five pounder" gun trailer, "two pounder" anti tank shields, and airscrews for the Spitfire and Hurricane were manufactured. During the 1950s and 1960s, the company's products became more geared to the construction industry, such as concrete mixers and digger buckets and also parts for washing machines. At this time, the company had expanded into sixteen subsidiaries named as: John Thompson (Wolverhampton) Ltd., John Thompson Water Tube Boilers Ltd., John Thompson (Dudley) Ltd., John Thompson Motor Pressings Ltd., John Thompson Beacon Windows Ltd., John Thompson-Kennicott Ltd., Metronic Instrument Co. Ltd., John Thompson Castings Ltd., John Thompson (Wilson Boilers) Ltd., John Thompson (Triumph Stoker) Ltd., John Thompson Instrument Company., John Thompson Industrial Constructions Ltd., John Thompson (Pipework) Ltd., John Thompson Compost Plant Ltd, Thompson Trailmobile and Thompson Brothers of Bilston. In the mid 1980s, the company was acquired by the Parkfield Group who collapsed in early 1990. The Pressings and Fabrications sector (particularly the the chassis making concern) was sold to UPF. When they went into receivership, the GKN group stepped in, setting up a subsidiary company by the name of GKN Thompson Chassis Ltd. However, after major problems, the Ettingshall works eventually closed in 2004.
- Extent: 1 item
- Level: Item
- Keywords:
- For more information contact: Wolverhampton Archives
Catalogue
- Catalogue
