Henry Meadows

About

A Summary of the History of Henry Meadows

Henry Meadows, based in Wolverhampton, was a significant supplier of engines and gearboxes to the British motor industry, particularly for smaller manufacturers.

The company was registered in 1917 and established in 1920 as a manufacturer of car gearboxes. It expanded into petrol engine production in 1922 and became a public company in 1929. During the 1930s, the company constructed a large factory in Fallings Park, Wolverhampton, and introduced its first diesel engine in 1935.

Following wartime production, including marine diesel engines, the company focused on diesel engines for vehicle, marine, and stationary applications post-World War II. A key post-war development was its integration with the Associated British Oil Engines Group, beginning in 1949, which led to the company becoming part of Associated British Engineering (ABE) in 1952. The company reverted to private status in 1956.

In the late 1950s, Henry Meadows diversified into micro-car production with the Frisky, powered by a Villiers engine. This venture was short-lived, and despite the formation of a separate company, Frisky Cars (1959) Ltd, the endeavor contributed to the parent company's closure in 1960.

Although the original company ceased operations, the engine manufacturing business continued. In 1961, it was noted as employing 520 people, producing a range of diesel engines and gearboxes. The enterprise was ultimately acquired by Jaguar Cars Ltd in 1965.