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Monday, February 21, 2011

The Brooks story abbreviated

1866
John Boultbee Brooks establishes in Great Charles Street, Birmingham
1882
Brooks files first patent for a sprung leather saddle
1882-1939
Brooks manufactures a comprehensive range of saddles and leather accessories as well as producing furniture, motorcycle saddles, and owning a motorcycle company
1939-1945
Brooks helps out during the war (and reduces its bicycle inventory)
1945-1955
Expansion in Britain’s post-war ration years (up to 1,500 staff in 1955)
1959
Buy out by Raleigh
1962
Downsizing and move to Downing Street, Smethwick on the outskirts Birmingham
2000
Sturmey-Archer goes into liquidation and Brooks goes independent
2002-2010
Selle Royal takes over with Brooks trading as “Brooks England” (30 staff in Smethwick producing in the order of 80,000 saddles a year whilst Brooks bags and carryalls are produced under license in China )


ADDIT: Brooks England have finally added a timeline on their website.
http://blog.brooksengland.com/wps/brooks-historical-timeline/#more-4285 

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