Elswick-Hopper
Bicycle maker and Agricultural holding company
1972 The shares in Elswick-Hopper Cycle and Motor Co were suspended; after change of name to Elswick-Hopper Ltd the shares were relisted; acquired Picador Engineering Co and Ryehill Farmservice indicative of a broadening of the business to include agricultural machinery and services[1]
1974 With an upturn in demand and the lack of a modern factory in Barton, Elswick-Hopper decided to re-enter the cycle market with the acquisition of Wearwell Cycle Co, based in Alveley, Shropshire. The Cosmopolitan shopper was made there. The St Mary’s site was developed as an industrial estate.
1974 Incorporation of Coventry Eagle Engineering Co[2]
1977 Formed JV with BP Nutrition, Farmkey, offering agricultural and livestock expertise and services; the deal also involved Universal Livestock Services[3]
1978 The acquisition by Falcon of the old Corah factory in Brigg had involved a large investment in new equipment and Ernie Clements decided to sell to Elswick-Hopper, thereby joining the board of directors. He did not fit well into the corporate culture and parted company in 1982, taking a new factory in Newtown, Powys, and the Coventry Eagle name as part payment for his shares.
Falcon moved to Brigg in 1979 and remained part of the parent Elswick-Hopper company until sold to Casket plc in December 1991.
1979 Coventry Eagle Engineering Co became Elswick-Falcon[4]
1980 The centenary was celebrated with a range of Sovereign bicycles and with a four day Easter Bank Holiday road race.
By now, under the leadership of Jim Turner, Elswick-Hopper had become a diverse conglomerate with businesses in all aspects of agricultural services, machinery, construction and tool making.
1986 Elswick-Hopper plc became Elswick plc, ending a 106 year association with the Hopper name.
1987 Elswick plc was steered away from agriculture towards the packaging industry. By this time Falcon had absorbed the Holdsworth and Claud Butler marques through the purchase of Holdsworthy.
1988 Elswick-Falcon became Bomford Turner Ltd[5]