Birmid Industries
Iron, aluminium and magnesium founders, producers of castings and rolled products, of Birmd Works, Smethwick
1936 As means of financing expansion of light alloy products, a new company Birmid Industries was formed and its shares were exchanged with those held by existing Birmingham Aluminium Castings Co shareholders[1]. New rolling company Birmetals Ltd which would be formed to operate a new mill[2].
1937 Birmid Industries incorporated:
- Birmingham Aluminium Castings Co
- Midland Motor Cylinder Co
- Sterling Metals
- Pneulec
- Dartmouth Auto Castings
- Exeloid Co
- Birmabright
- Birmetals
Noted the growing importance of magnesium (elektron) castings, in which field the company was a leader, especially through Sterling Metals[3].
1948 By this time, had taken over Perry Barr Metal Co at Oscott[4].
1955 Established Birmidal Developments Ltd to provide central experiment and development facility [5].
1961 Acquired Sterling Foundry Specialities Ltd [6].
1964 Acquired Plastic Engineers as the start of a move into plastics [7].
1965 Acquired W. A. Lloyds of Droitwich, makers of aluminium ladders [8].
1967 Merger of Birmid Industries and Qualcast to form Birmid Qualcast [9].