Grace's Guide To British Industrial History

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Grace's Guide is the leading source of historical information on industry and manufacturing in Britain. This web publication contains 167,719 pages of information and 247,131 images on early companies, their products and the people who designed and built them.

Grace's Guide is the leading source of historical information on industry and manufacturing in Britain. This web publication contains 147,919 pages of information and 233,587 images on early companies, their products and the people who designed and built them.

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of 2 St Mary's Row, Birmingham, 4. Telephone: Birmingham, Colmore 4133
‎‎[[Image:‎Im1951Benn-Malins.jpg|thumb| 1951. ]]
[[Image:Im1961-7Ben-Malins.jpg|thumb| 1961.]]


* 1936 '''Geoffrey Malins''' agreed to make engines for [[Hobbies]], after the partnership Hobbies had with [[Geoffrey Bowman Jenkins]] ended. Initially only Hobbies engines were made and 576 engines are produced that year.
of 2 St Mary's Row, Birmingham, 4. Telephone: Birmingham, Colmore 4133. (1947)
 
of 25 to 31 Camden Street, Birmingham (1951)
 
1936 Geoffrey Malins agreed to make engines for [[Hobbies]], after the partnership Hobbies had with [[Geoffrey Bowman Jenkins]] ended. Initially only Hobbies engines were made and 576 engines are produced that year.
   
   
*  1937 '''Malins''' starts to make ''Mamod'' engines alongside the Hobbies variants at his Price Street workshop.  
1937 Commence making the Mamod engines alongside the Hobbies variants at his Price Street workshop.  
   
   
* 1938 '''Geoffrey Malins''' moved to his new premises at St Marys Row, Birmingham. Joined by his '''son 'Bud'''' and with 30, mainly part-time, workers, the company flourished.  
1938 Moved to his new premises at St Marys Row, Birmingham. Geoffrey joined by his son Clive 'Bud' and with 30, mainly part-time, workers, the company was successful.  


* 1939 '''Malins (Engineers) Ltd''' was incorporated as a private company. The first 4-page ''Mamod'' brochure appeared. ''Mamod''s rarest production engine appeared late into the year - the twin-cylinder Minor 2. 
1939 '''Malins (Engineers) Ltd''' was incorporated as a private company.  


* By 1940 production had ceased for the duration of the war. '''Malins''' association with [[Hobbies]] came to an end.  
1939 The first 4-page Mamod brochure appeared and their rarest production engine appeared late into the year - the twin-cylinder Minor 2.


* 1946 After the end of the war, the company slowly returned to production, which was limited. '''Malin's son, Eric''', joined the business, in charge of production.  
By 1940 production had ceased for the duration of the war and the association with [[Hobbies]] came to an end.  


* 1947 Manufacturers of "Mamod" Educational Metal Mechanical Toys, Model Stationary Steam Engines and Working Models by large quantity Production. For Export and Home Trade. (Olympia, 2nd Floor, Stand No. J.2251) <ref>[[1947 British Industries Fair]] p176</ref>
1945 May 30th. Bud Malins dies in the war


* 1947 '''Geoffrey Malins son, Phil''', joined the family business. Production slowly increased, despite post-war combination of shortages of materials and unreliable equipment.
1946 The company slowly returned to production, which was limited. Geoffrey's son, Eric, joined the business, in charge of production.  


* 1948 The business was doing well and improvements were introduced.  
1947 Manufacturers of "Mamod" Educational Metal Mechanical Toys, Model Stationary Steam Engines and Working Models by large quantity Production. For Export and Home Trade. (Olympia, 2nd Floor, Stand No. J.2251) <ref>[[1947 British Industries Fair]] p176</ref>


* By 1949 the company had moved to larger premises at Camden Street, Malins introduced their first 'mobile' - the ''Meteor'' boats, although later these would prove to be the only real commercial failure the company ever had.   
1947 Geoffrey's son, Phil, joined the family business. Production slowly increased, despite post-war combination of shortages of materials and unreliable equipment.   


* 1950 The ''Meteor'' boats were not selling well, and the price was rather expensive at £4 5s 0d, (£4.25). In an attempt to rescue something from the project they introduced the ''Conqueror'' powered by a FROG 'Revmaster' electric motor.
1948 The business was doing well and improvements were introduced.  


* 1951 "Mamod" continued to sell small quantities of the Meteor. They consolidated the move to Camden Street. They also made solid brass ball-catches for doors, to keep up productiion during quiet periods - this was the only non-toy item ever made by the company.  
By 1949 the company had moved to larger premises at Camden Street, Malins introduced their first 'mobile' - the ''Meteor'' boats, although later these would prove to be the only real commercial failure the company ever had.


* By 1952 the production of the ''Meteor'' had come to and end after 1,500 units. So did '''Bud Malins'''' association with the company, following disagreements with his father.   
1950 The ''Meteor'' boats were not selling well, and the price was rather expensive at £4 5s 0d, (£4.25). In an attempt to rescue something from the project they introduced the ''Conqueror'' powered by a FROG 'Revmaster' electric motor.   


* 1953 The expensive hot-stamped brass flywheels were dropped in favour of mazak, which was also being used for the tools. It was the last year flatbases were used on the bigger engines.
1951 Mamod continued to sell small quantities of the Meteor. They consolidated the move to Camden Street. They also made solid brass ball-catches for doors, to keep up production during quiet periods - this was the only non-toy item ever made by the company.  


* 1954 '''Eric Malins''' walked out on the firm and all the engines had the new pressed steel, raised bases. The company had 40 full-time employees.  
By 1952 the production of the ''Meteor'' had come to and end after 1,500 units.  


* 1955 '''Geoffrey Malins''' looked for a buyer for the now profitable company - but with no success. He approached his '''son Eric''' and an agreement was reached whereby Geoffrey became Chairman and Eric took overall control of '''Malins Engineers'''. 
1952 Phil Malins left the business


* 1956 In the spring, '''Eric Malins''' rejoined the company as Managing Director, and began planning the first new '''Malins'''engine in nine years.   
1953 The expensive hot-stamped brass flywheels were dropped in favour of mazak, which was also being used for the tools. It was the last year flatbases were used on the bigger engines.   


1957 and the introduction of perhaps what many would feel is one of Mamod's most celebrated engines: the twin-cylinder SE3. The engine signals the soon to end production of wick-type burners, as it now uses the simpler 'vapourising' type.
1954 Eric Malins left the business.


1958 and another new model appears (well two!) the ME1 and ME2 marine engines. Further developments on the rest of the range include revised fireboxes for the MM2, SE1 and 2, as well as the elimination of wick type burners, the excepton being the MM1. The 1950s end, it was a good decade in many respects for Malins - 1959 was no exception. With only SEL as any sort of real competitor, the 1960s were wide open for Mamod to dominate.  Now with a workforce of around 50, the company could turn out up to 300 engines a day plus accessories. Space was becoming tight at the Camden Street works and a bigger set of premises would be needed for expansion in the 1960s.
1954 All the engines had the new pressed steel, raised bases. The company had 40 full-time employees.  


1961 was a milestone year for Malins, the eponymous SR1 steam roller is launched - their first real mobile, it was to signal a rich vein of sales as it led to greater things to come. Malins' last year at Camden Street.   
1955 Geoffrey Malins looked for a buyer for the now profitable company - but with no success. He approached his son Eric and an agreement was reached whereby Geoffrey became Chairman and Eric took overall control of Malins Engineers.   


1962 and Malins Engineers move into the old pipe works at Brierly Hill, known as the Thorns Works, it was to see some of their finest commercial successes. The site purchased for £10,000, is found by Chairman, Geoffrey Malins. Work now begins on their next mobile...  Not only was 1963 a great year for the Beatles, it was a real landmark for Malins as they launch their most successful engine ever - the ubiquitous TE1 Steam Tractor.  
1956 In the spring, Eric Malins rejoined the company as Managing Director, and began planning the first new engine in nine years.  


1964 and consolidating their presence at the Thorns Works, the Steam Tractor becomes Malins' best selling engine, along with the Steam Roller.  
During 1957 and 1958, several new models appeared.  


* 1964 Two 'Mamod' model steam engines (one stationery and one mobile), made by '''Malins (Engineers) Ltd'''. <ref>[http://www.vads.ac.uk/large.php?pic=4206&cmd=advsearch&page=15&mode=boolean&words=toys&field=all&oper=or&idSearch=boolean&AAVAA=1&BDC=1&CSM=1&CHM=1&CHS=1&CRSBI=1&CVMA=1&DCA=1&DCADB=1&DCSC=1&ETA=1&SIADFA=1&HC=1&IWM=1&IWMSCW=1&JJPP=1&JJTP=1&LCFCA=1&LCFPP=1&LCFSHOE=1&LCFWOOL=1&FA=1&PMSA=1&RVA=1&SALIDAA=1&SCVMC=1&JLC=1&HDC=1&ST=1&TM=1&UECLAA=1&FSB=1&ARTWORLD=1&OP=1&vadscoll=Design+Council+Slide+Collection] vads: Design Council Slide Collection</ref>
By 1960, the workforce had reached about 50 and the company could produce up to 300 engines a day plus accessories. Space was running out at the Camden Street works and larger  premises were needed for expansion.


With ever increasing production costs and to ensure manufacturing economics are right, Malins phase out the use of screws for construction of their models, from 1965 on pop rivets are king! Malins launch a new engine in collaboration with Meccano, the MEC1.  
1962 The company moved into the old pipe works at Brierly Hill, known as the Thorns Works.


1967, the summer of love sees new models introduced by Malins - the new 'a' series engines, the TE1a and SR1a now have a reversing engine block (ala MEC1) and the stationaries get a facelift too with the SE1a and SE2a. The Minor engines remain unchanged. With SEL no longer making steam toys (they sold their remaining stock of marine engines to Malins in 1965) the field is wide open for Malins Engineers and 1966 was like every year in the 1960s - one of steady expansion. 
1964 Two 'Mamod' model steam engines (one stationery and one mobile), made by '''Malins (Engineers) Ltd'''. <ref>[http://www.vads.ac.uk/large.php?pic=4206&cmd=advsearch&page=15&mode=boolean&words=toys&field=all&oper=or&idSearch=boolean&AAVAA=1&BDC=1&CSM=1&CHM=1&CHS=1&CRSBI=1&CVMA=1&DCA=1&DCADB=1&DCSC=1&ETA=1&SIADFA=1&HC=1&IWM=1&IWMSCW=1&JJPP=1&JJTP=1&LCFCA=1&LCFPP=1&LCFSHOE=1&LCFWOOL=1&FA=1&PMSA=1&RVA=1&SALIDAA=1&SCVMC=1&JLC=1&HDC=1&ST=1&TM=1&UECLAA=1&FSB=1&ARTWORLD=1&OP=1&vadscoll=Design+Council+Slide+Collection] vads: Design Council Slide Collection</ref>


1968 and sales are going well, the SR1a loses its aluminim rolls to get mazak types instead. New floorspace is ready at the Thorns Works for yet more investment in new machinery.  With new floorspace being utilised for die-casting the costs of production are slashed. Malins introduce something for the SR and TE to pull at last!, the open type and lumber type wagons. Malins only hard-soldered engine is launched for schools in the form of the 'Griffin and George' SE3. Steve Malins joins the family business, straight from school. 
1968 New floorspace was ready at the Thorns Works for yet more investment in new machinery.  With new floorspace being utilised for die-casting the costs of production were slashed.  


The boom time 1970s dawn and in the first year of the decade the little Minor One finally gets a vapourising spirit lamp! Eric Malins accepts the company's second award (the first in 1969) from the National Association of Toy Retailers.   
1968 Steve Malins joined the family business, straight from school.   


Its 1971 and Steve Malins gets inspiration for his 'first model' to be manufactured by Malins - the Overtype Steam Road Waggon...   
1969/70 Eric Malins accepted awards from the National Association of Toy Retailers.
1973 Production reached almost 116,000 units and the Thorns works ran smoothly.   


1972 and Steve Malins' wonderful SW1 Steam Wagon is launced in January of this year. Malins' 'patented finger burner' is finally the retired - the brass turned whistle, from now on all engines equipped with a whistle have the sprung reset type. Malins receive their third award from the NATR.
By 1975 development at the Thorns works had been fully realised, with the opening of dedicated offices.  
1973 production hits nearly 116,000 units and the Thorns works runs smoothly with only the occaisional hiccup! 


1974 and David Evans joins the company, with the job of establishing a proper production and quality control system.
1975 June. Geoffrey Malins, the founder and Chairman, died at the age of 83.  


By 1975 development at the Thorns works had been fully realised, with the opening of dedicated offices, sadly in June of this year Geoffrey Malins, founder and Chairman, dies at the age of 83. Production is hit hard later in the year, as retailers cancel orders over concerns about liquid fuel after an 'accident' in the US draws attention to the dangers of methylated spirit. Valued staff are made redundant as a result of journalistic lunacy.  
1975 Production suffered later in the year, as retailers cancelled orders over concerns about liquid fuel after an 'accident' in the US drew attention to the dangers of methylated spirit. This resulted in redundancy for some staff. Liquid fuel was later outlawed.


1976 and the birth of Steve Malins' next creation (along with the help of George Morris) - the SA1 Steam Roadster, it turns out to be an instant hit and alleviates some of the gloom of 1975.   
From 1977, the Malins models were fuelled by solid fuel tablets, made on the premises at the Thorns works.   


After the events of 1975, liquid fuel is outlawed and so from 1977 Malins models are fuelled by solid fuel tablets. The tablets are made on the premises at the Thorns works.
By 1978, to accommodate European regulations, all models except one, had sight glasses, and the naked flame fully enclosed.  


By 1978, to accomodate European regulations (EN71), all models except the Minor One, now have sight glasses, along with the naked flame to be fully enclosed. This year was to be the last for the SE series stationary engines, a totally new design was nearing fruition.  The ambitious new SP series of stationary engines is launched in Spring 1979, featuring a totally redesigned look, the new range totals five engines; the SP1, 2, 3, 4 and the twin cylinder SP5. The WS1 workshop is introduced, containing all the workshop tools on one base. 
1980 Was the last year of Malins control.
 
1980 and the last year of Malins control, the hugely sought after railway sets (RS1 and RS2) are introduced. The banking profession 'brings down' the most successful family owned toy steam company Britain has ever had, and the 1980s dawn with a new owner and a greater series of ups and downs which no-one at the time could have predicted. 
 
http://spokessmann.tripod.com/id54.html A short History of the Mamod Company


== See Also ==
<what-links-here/>


== Sources of Information ==
== Sources of Information ==
<references/>
<references/>
* [http://spokessmann.tripod.com/id54.html] A Short History of the Mamod Company
<references/>
{{DEFAULTSORT: }}
[[Category: Town - Birmingham]]

Latest revision as of 17:14, 5 November 2018

‎‎

1951.
1961.

of 2 St Mary's Row, Birmingham, 4. Telephone: Birmingham, Colmore 4133. (1947)

of 25 to 31 Camden Street, Birmingham (1951)

1936 Geoffrey Malins agreed to make engines for Hobbies, after the partnership Hobbies had with Geoffrey Bowman Jenkins ended. Initially only Hobbies engines were made and 576 engines are produced that year.

1937 Commence making the Mamod engines alongside the Hobbies variants at his Price Street workshop.

1938 Moved to his new premises at St Marys Row, Birmingham. Geoffrey joined by his son Clive 'Bud' and with 30, mainly part-time, workers, the company was successful.

1939 Malins (Engineers) Ltd was incorporated as a private company.

1939 The first 4-page Mamod brochure appeared and their rarest production engine appeared late into the year - the twin-cylinder Minor 2.

By 1940 production had ceased for the duration of the war and the association with Hobbies came to an end.

1945 May 30th. Bud Malins dies in the war

1946 The company slowly returned to production, which was limited. Geoffrey's son, Eric, joined the business, in charge of production.

1947 Manufacturers of "Mamod" Educational Metal Mechanical Toys, Model Stationary Steam Engines and Working Models by large quantity Production. For Export and Home Trade. (Olympia, 2nd Floor, Stand No. J.2251) [1]

1947 Geoffrey's son, Phil, joined the family business. Production slowly increased, despite post-war combination of shortages of materials and unreliable equipment.

1948 The business was doing well and improvements were introduced.

By 1949 the company had moved to larger premises at Camden Street, Malins introduced their first 'mobile' - the Meteor boats, although later these would prove to be the only real commercial failure the company ever had.

1950 The Meteor boats were not selling well, and the price was rather expensive at £4 5s 0d, (£4.25). In an attempt to rescue something from the project they introduced the Conqueror powered by a FROG 'Revmaster' electric motor.

1951 Mamod continued to sell small quantities of the Meteor. They consolidated the move to Camden Street. They also made solid brass ball-catches for doors, to keep up production during quiet periods - this was the only non-toy item ever made by the company.

By 1952 the production of the Meteor had come to and end after 1,500 units.

1952 Phil Malins left the business

1953 The expensive hot-stamped brass flywheels were dropped in favour of mazak, which was also being used for the tools. It was the last year flatbases were used on the bigger engines.

1954 Eric Malins left the business.

1954 All the engines had the new pressed steel, raised bases. The company had 40 full-time employees.

1955 Geoffrey Malins looked for a buyer for the now profitable company - but with no success. He approached his son Eric and an agreement was reached whereby Geoffrey became Chairman and Eric took overall control of Malins Engineers.

1956 In the spring, Eric Malins rejoined the company as Managing Director, and began planning the first new engine in nine years.

During 1957 and 1958, several new models appeared.

By 1960, the workforce had reached about 50 and the company could produce up to 300 engines a day plus accessories. Space was running out at the Camden Street works and larger premises were needed for expansion.

1962 The company moved into the old pipe works at Brierly Hill, known as the Thorns Works.

1964 Two 'Mamod' model steam engines (one stationery and one mobile), made by Malins (Engineers) Ltd. [2]

1968 New floorspace was ready at the Thorns Works for yet more investment in new machinery. With new floorspace being utilised for die-casting the costs of production were slashed.

1968 Steve Malins joined the family business, straight from school.

1969/70 Eric Malins accepted awards from the National Association of Toy Retailers.

1973 Production reached almost 116,000 units and the Thorns works ran smoothly.

By 1975 development at the Thorns works had been fully realised, with the opening of dedicated offices.

1975 June. Geoffrey Malins, the founder and Chairman, died at the age of 83.

1975 Production suffered later in the year, as retailers cancelled orders over concerns about liquid fuel after an 'accident' in the US drew attention to the dangers of methylated spirit. This resulted in redundancy for some staff. Liquid fuel was later outlawed.

From 1977, the Malins models were fuelled by solid fuel tablets, made on the premises at the Thorns works.

By 1978, to accommodate European regulations, all models except one, had sight glasses, and the naked flame fully enclosed.

1980 Was the last year of Malins control.

See Also

Loading...

Sources of Information

  1. ↑ 1947 British Industries Fair p176
  2. ↑ [1] vads: Design Council Slide Collection
  • [2] A Short History of the Mamod Company
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