Moore & Wright , English Made?

[Lewis_RX8]

After seeing @Welderpaul disappointment on the new M&W micrometers I've been looking through their brand on zoro and seen that they are selling brand new tools stamped made in England.

So does anyone know if they still run a factory in England or is this old stock?

Moore & Wright 400 3"/75MM Engineers Square 4003 | at Zoro

Moore & Wright - 400 3"/75MM Engineers Square available at Zoro.co.uk - UK's Leading Supplier of DIY Tools and Supplies'

www.zoro.co.uk

Moore & Wright 52/4" Outside Calipers 524 | at Zoro

Moore & Wright - 52/4" Outside Calipers available at Zoro.co.uk - UK's Leading Supplier of DIY Tools and Supplies'

www.zoro.co.uk

Not sure on this one can't quite make it out but looks Made in England Ish Stamp - https://www.zoro.co.uk/shop/measuri...pring-calipers/50-8inch-dividers/p/ZT1017587X

Just three examples there sure there is more just caught me off guard a new M&W with the England stamp maybe it's on their manual tooling or something

 

[TechnicAl]

They used to be at the bottom of our garden in Handsworth Sheffield.....but its an Asda now....they were taken over by James Neill / Eclipse but I think they have gone as well. As far as I know they dont have a factory in Sheffield anymore. I googled and found this......https://www.bowersgroup.co.uk/about/history/uk/

 

[ronan]

I don't think anything M&W is UK made anymore. Buy Starrett, made in Jedburgh, Scotland.

 

[MetalMonkey]

I believe Moore and Wright are just a name now - they still maintain an office in the UK, but everything is either bought in or made for them.
Bowers also own Baty who I think still have UK manufacturing, so some of the M&W stuff might be sourced from UK suppliers, but other stuff is definitely imported.

Neil Tools was wound down and production outsourced to China.

https://www.sheffieldhistory.co.uk/forums/topic/8053-neill-tools-not-any-more33/

The Neil Tools group owned a lot of well known brands at one point including Eclipse, Spear & Jackson, WHS Tyzack, Elliott-Lucas, Benson, Stubs Files, and Britool to name a few.

Everything that wasn't sold off is now owned by SNH Global

http://snhglobal.com/

Sad really.

 

[Munkul]

I've bought one or two M&W precision combi square sets each year for years.

A long time ago they said "Sheffield England" on the parts.
A couple of years ago they just said "England" and the castings had changed subtly. Still good.
The last two sets I got didn't have any place names at all, the castings had changed again, and everything felt notchy-er.

Real shame Bowers Group have driven down the value, and the products are still as highly priced as ever.

Does anyone truly know how much Starrett stuff is actually made in Jedburgh? I'd buy everything I can from there if I knew.

 

[OJCar]

<snip>

Does anyone truly know how much Starrett stuff is actually made in Jedburgh? I'd buy everything I can from there if I knew.

https://www.starrett.co.uk/blog/uk_manufacturing_ann/

"Unfortunately an announcement has been made that we propose to cease manufacturing in Starrett Jedburgh.
Starrett has had a manufacturing plant here in Jedburgh since 1958 and the connection to the local community and the Borders is strong: we are therefore making these proposals with a very heavy heart. It is imperative that we consider the overall viability of the Corporation and anticipate that, whatever the outcome, this will not impact the distribution of our products or service levels provided currently."

June 2020

 

[Lewis_RX8]

Shame to hear that about the Jedburgh factory I'm sure their cant be many like that left now

Yup a lot of buying out well-respected brands and then slapping their name on whatever Chinese carp they can get there hands on unfortunately, Would not think that would be any good for business long term at all?

 

[Mr Roo]

https://www.starrett.co.uk/blog/uk_manufacturing_ann/

"Unfortunately an announcement has been made that we propose to cease manufacturing in Starrett Jedburgh.
Starrett has had a manufacturing plant here in Jedburgh since 1958 and the connection to the local community and the Borders is strong: we are therefore making these proposals with a very heavy heart. It is imperative that we consider the overall viability of the Corporation and anticipate that, whatever the outcome, this will not impact the distribution of our products or service levels provided currently."

June 2020

oh, for fu...

 

[slim_boy_fat]

That's what happens when you invite a Politician to visit....

 

[TechnicAl]

Shame to hear that about the Jedburgh factory I'm sure their cant be many like that left now

Yup a lot of buying out well-respected brands and then slapping their name on whatever Chinese carp they can get there hands on unfortunately, Would not think that would be any good for business long term at all?

long term??? for the most thats the issue.........instead of investing in technology and engineering to make good stuff cheaper they go down the renamed import route.....a few in the firm do well out of it for a while but slowly kill it for the majority.......happens so many times......

 

[Fastdruid]

There is little I despise more (from the perspective of buying items) than a large group making much of a "brands" history of being British (other countries are available)...yet having dismantled everything in Britain that built that brand and the remaining presence being little more than a distribution warehouse and maybe an office.

 

[colnerov]

Nostalgia anyone?



Colin

 

[TechnicAl]

Nostalgia anyone?

View attachment 272939

Colin

I think THOR HAMMERS are still going and making their own mallets...........KEETONA had the longest strike in history and folded......my BIL kept the service and repair side going for years but he got Alzheimers about 7 years go and been in a home ever since.

Theres a few still going in name only......M&W as discussed...Wolf...Record...Jacobs..Eclipse...

Bedfords are still going....an ex colleague of mine was their Metallurgist for years.....http://www.bedfordsteels.co.uk/history.php

 

[ronan]

There is little I despise more (from the perspective of buying items) than a large group making much of a "brands" history of being British (other countries are available)...yet having dismantled everything in Britain that built that brand and the remaining presence being little more than a distribution warehouse and maybe an office.

Accountants run things now, if there is a big mark up to be made by shifting production to China or India or somewhere out there, then thats where it goes. Loyalty to a town or city, the staff and your customers really, don't mean a thing.

 

[anto44]

I have 2 thor hammers and they both have stickers saying made in England

 

[colnerov]

Here's another one, a later rendition but more American centric I think.



Colin

 

[nickk]

Not just Accoutants ,share holders voting yes for cheap labour cOsts spoils the outcome.

 

[ronan]

Not just Accoutants ,share holders voting yes for cheap labour cOsts spoils the outcome.

They don't care so long as they have money for another mansion in Monaco or another super yacht. You know what god thinks about money by the people he gives it to.

 

[ronan]

Another British company taken over, Holland and Holland taken over by Beretta.

What next for Holland & Holland?

What next for Holland & Holland?

www.vintageguns.co.uk

 

[lchris21]

Nostalgia anyone?

View attachment 272939

Colin

Just checked...off the top of my head I've got 25 of them in one form or another