Historian and CovSoc member, Peter James, tells us the interesting story of how chain making evolved out of the watchmaking industry in Coventry. Peter writes….
The Coventry Chain Company stands as a testament to local ingenuity and industrial evolution, tracing its roots to the city’s tradition in watchmaking. Charles John Hill was from a family of watchmakers. He became head of W H Hill and Sons founded in 1814. Around 1840 he launched his own business which gained a reputation for precision and quality both at home and abroad. He was Mayor of Coventry in 1890 and 1891 following in the footsteps of his predecessor William Henry Hill who had held the post in 1871 and 1872.
The Move to Chain Making
The story continues with Alick Sargeant Hill the son of Charles and born in Coventry in 1868. He served an apprenticeship at Coventry Machinists Company a sewing machine manufacturer who became Britain’s first bicycle maker. Alick drew inspiration there from legendary innovators James Starley, George Singer and William Hillman. In 1896 the firm evolved into the Swift Cycle Company coinciding with Alick leaving and setting up the Coventry Chain Company in Dale Street. The growing popularity of chain driven safety cycles spurred early success and expansion. In 1902 his father Charles Hill became chairman but sadly passed away the following year.
The First World War
By 1914 the company had moved into larger premises in Spon End employing around 1,500 staff. Responding to wartime needs Coventry Chain Co. developed tracks for military tanks, commencing production in 1916. It was a year which saw Alick Sargeant Hill appointed as Mayor of Coventry continuing the family’s tradition in public service. Tragically just four years after leaving office Alick passed away aged 53 on 31st August 1921 and was buried at London Road Cemetery in Coventry.
Hans Renold
Hans Renold was a Swiss immigrant who arrived in England in 1873. Having started as a machine exporter in Manchester he acquired James Slater of Salford who were chain makers in 1879. They had been established in 1864 and were responsible for introducing rollers into chain mechanisms. The company became the Hans Renold Company and in 1880 introduced the bush roller which helped revolutionise industrial transmission and secure his place in engineering history. Today the Renold Company remains the oldest continuously trading transmission chain maker.
Merger and Global Presence
In 1932 a merger saw the creation of Renold & Coventry Chain Co. Ltd. known as Renold Chains Ltd. from 1954. During WWII the Spon End factory produced munitions and other military essentials as well as chains. Production continued at the site until 1980 employing over 800 people (over half of whom were women) before closing due to reduced demand in the automotive market.
Operations continued at the Manchester headquarters supplemented by sites in Birmingham, Cardiff, Calais, Lille, Melbourne, Juliusmuhle (Germany), Spain, South Africa and the USA.
The Modern Era
Renold Plc stands today as a global engineering company supplying chains, gears and couplings for power transmission from facilities in at least 23 countries. With a diverse workforce of around 2,500 people Renold’s legacy is woven into Coventry’s industrial fabric.
It continues to adapt to the challenges and opportunities in the global marketplace.