Joseph Appleby
of Castle Chain Works, Aston, Birmingham
1888 Company established by Joseph Appleby (1848-1916)
1895 Petition for winding. '...in the Matter of the Robin Hood Cycle Company Limited. NOTICE is hereby given that a petition for the winding up of the above named Company by the County Court of Nottinghamshire holden at Nottingham was on the 4th day of January 1895 presented to the said Court by Joseph Appleby of Tower-road Aston in the city of Birmingham Bicycle Manufacturer creditor of the said Company...'[1]
1896 Prospectus for £80,000 share capital. 'Directors: John Spittle Hughes, of Repton, Derbyshire, Gentleman. William Wilkinson, of J. Wilkinson and Son, Metal Manufacturers, Saltley, Birmingham. Benjamin John Round, Northampton Street. Birmingham, Director of the Central Tramways Co., Ltd., Joseph Appleby, of Tower Road, Birmingham, Cycle Chain Manufacturer. Edwin Appleby, of Dolman Road, Aston, Birmingham, Cycle Chain Manufacturer. This Company has been formed to acquire the Freehold Property and Works, Plant, Business. Goodwill, Patents, and Trade Marks of Mr. Joseph Applebv. of Tower Road, Birmingham, manufacturer of cycle chains, cycle gear wheels, cycle cutlers, cycle springs, cycle sundries, weaving machine guides, and general machinist, and to carry and extend the said business. The business, which was established in the year 1888. and has since that date been continuously developed, was, in the year 1894, in order to provide greater facilities to meet the increasing trade, removed to the present commodious freehold premises Tower Road. At the present time over 250 hands are employed, and the premises are being further extended. The increase in the output has been remarkable....'[2]
1952 Company acquired by George Edmonds.[3]
Later became Appleby Edmonds
Later the company reverted back to the cotton and wool industry manufacturing machines and later machinery for carpet making.
The demise of the company started in the 1960’s when stiff competition from Japan brought cheaper loom machinery onto the market. Eventually the company was broken up and its machinery was sold to a company in Spain and another in Turkey.
The company outgrew Tower Road and a sprawling factory now working with glass took over the site and recently found a display case of Joseph Appleby Ltd was found and cleaned up and is now in their reception showing a piece of Birmingham’s History