Brampton Brothers Ltd., of Birmingham, manufacturers of cycle chain and cycle fittings (BB)

Brampton Brothers Ltd. was established as a public company in 1897, by Arthur Brampton and his brothers. The company made chains and fittings for cycles and spring forks for motor cycles, but were also involved in other products, including chains and parts for early automobiles. The works was situated in Oliver Street, Birmingham. A branch chain works was opened in Calais in 1898. In 1915 this became the subsidiary Brampton Brothers (Calais) Ltd., which in turn developed into the Societe Anonyme des Etablissements Brampton in 1921. The Calais works manufactured shell parts during the First World War and later produced light and heavy driving chains. New Birmingham works were erected, at Witton, after the war. The company merged with Coventry Chain Co. Ltd. in 1925.

Memorandum and articles of association, 1897; Board of Directors minutes, 1897-1935; shareholders minutes, 1897-1936; Guard Book (containing copies of balance sheets, minutes, reports, circulars etc.), 1931-1936; world sole trading agreements with Coventry Chain Co. Ltd., 1931 and Renold and Coventry Chain Co. Ltd., 1933-1934; correspondence with S.A. Newman Ltd., 1932-1935, including papers relating to the transfer of spring fork and foundry business from Brampton Brothers Ltd.; draft agreement with S.A. Newman Ltd., 1934.

Miscellaneous financial papers, 1922-1931, including balance sheets and details of merger with Coventry Chain Co. Ltd.; annual accounts, 1926-1931; record of continental banking account, 1930-1931; records relating to losses, 1932-1935, including agreement with Renold and Coventry Chain Co. Ltd.; indebtedness reports, 1933-1938; special cost investigation, 1934.

Staff employees pension fund trust deed, 1924; toolsetters reward sheets for piecework and incentive schemes, 1935; staff fund rules and subscription card, circa 1936.

General catalogues, entitled 'Brampton Publications', 1896-1937, including catalogues for Alfred Appleby Chain Co. Ltd., Atlas Chain Co. Ltd., Charles H. Pugh Ltd. and Brampton Cycle Fittings; advertising material, circa 1906, 1923.

Report, valuation and particulars of Birmingham premises, at Oliver Street, Bloomsbury and Birch Road, Witton, 1934 (including plant, machinery, equipment etc. at Witton).

Historical details of firm; published article, 1955; correspondence etc. relating to Brampton family, including photographs of Oliver Street Works and Chester Street Works.