Rubery Owen Holdings Ltd is a Black Country firm which grew from small beginnings in the late nineteenth century to become a major manufacturing company in the twentieth century and one of the largest privately owned engineering groups in Britain in the 1960's.
Rubery Owen's engineering and entrepreneurial activities extended throughout the UK and as far afield as India and South Africa. The company built some of the first motor frames, an early flyover for Oxford Circus, car wheels and stands for sporting arenas such as Twickenham and Manchester United.
At the same time the activities of its leading figure in its heyday, Sir Alfred Owen were of great importance to the political, cultural and religious life of the company's home territory. Rubery Owen had a huge social impact on the area employing up to 5 generations of the same family. The company was among the first to have a canteen for its works people, sports and recreational facilities, employee social services, day nursery facilities and Christmas parties for the children. It was pioneering in its Preparation for Retirement Programme and introduced Industrial Life of Christian Teamwork into the workplace. The firm also provided local housing after the second world war attracting the young from the North East and Wales to join the company Apprenticeship schemes. The significance of the company's welfare of employees was recognised in the Royal visits to the works such as the one made by Princess Margaret who visited in November 1962 touring the Motor Wheel Department, Service Depts, Medical Personnel and the Nursery.
Now in the 21st century, the Rubery Owen group is as ever innovative and entrepreneurial re-inventing itself in line with market trends in its group of subsidiary companies. For more information on the company click here.
New Hall Mill
The Newhall Estate in Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands was the home of the Owen family. Part of the estate was the Newhall Mill which is still owned by Rubery Owen Holdings Ltd.
The New Hall Mill is a grade 2 listed building, and just one of two surviving water mills in the Birmingham area. Painstakingly restored to a working condition over a number of years, it is a fine local example of our industrial heritage. Surrounded by the New Hall Valley Country Park, the Mill is an ideal location for pupils to study aspects of history, local studies, technology, science and environmental education for sustainable development related to the National Curriculum. The Mill is open to visitors on a number of days throughout the year, and makes a fascinating day out for all the family.
For more information visit: http://www.newhallmill.org.uk/