FENSECURE

Fensecure was established in 1918 as John Knowles (Wednesbury) Ltd by B.C. Knowles and J.J. Knowles. John Knowles (Wednesbury) were tube fittings manufacturers. It wasn’t until John Knowles were bought out by Tipper Brothers in the 1960’s that Fensecure came into its own. Using the tube fittings which we were specialists in, the Fensecure range of tubular fencing systems was born. From there it was a small stepping stone to being one of the country’s leading fencing manufacturers, which we are today.

STEELWAY

Steelway was founded in 1928 at the Queensgate Works site in Wolverhampton by C.W. Goodyear. The original products that the company produced doesn’t much differ from today with the exception of weed burners and domestic household products.

In 1931 Steelway merged with F Hammond & Co who were established manufacturers of handrail standards. Mr Hammond joined the board of directors. The company was also associated with J Brockhouse & Co (West Bromwich), who were Steelway’s London agent.

1934 saw the launch of the Steelway pedestrian guard rail. After long and careful experiment with the co-operation and assistance of the Chief Constable of Wolverhampton and Wolverhampton’s Borough Engineer & Surveyor, the first pedestrian safety barrier was successfully installed at a busy junction in Wolverhampton. Following on from this success, Steelway manufactured London’s first safety barriers at Britannia Crossing, Camden Town. These were inaugurated on 19th March 1935 by Mr Hore-Belisha, Minster of Transport. A second installation was carried out at Whitechapel Crossing for the Metropolitan Borough of Stepney on 22nd March 1935.

In 1953 Steelway became a subsidiary of the Glynwed Group of companies, and in 1983 expanded to form the present company, Steelway Fensecure, following the successful introduction of its fencing products.

In 1999 the company was acquired by Tyco International Ltd.

In 2000 the company became privately owned and independent from any group holding.

In 2005 the company’s private ownership changed and it became part of the Brigam group of companies.

In 2007 the company acquired the business of Brickhouse Access Covers, who operate from their offices and works based in West Bromwich, and subsequently named Steelway Brickhouse (Steelway Fensecure Ltd).

In 2008 the company acquired the business of PP Mackindale a specialist heritage castings products company to enhance the refurbishment, replication and restoration of the heritage steel structures business.

We presently have three operating divisions (Steelway incorporating Rail and PP Mackindale, Steelway Fensecure and Steelway Brickhouse) and two manufacturing plants based in Wolverhampton and West Bromwich and employ over 175 people.

To read an article on our history by the Express and Star please click here.

What’s next for the future? – Take a look at our blog!