Business History Explorer Supported by the Business Archives Council

Automotive Products Group

Other Business Names:

  • Broughton, E B
  • Emmott, W
  • Brock, D T
  • Lockheed Hydraulic Brake Co Ltd
  • Bourg & Beck Co Ltd
  • Lockheed Precision Products Ltd
  • AP Group

Locations city-town / local authority / county1974 / region-state / country:

  • Liverpool, Liverpool, Merseyside, North West, England
  • Royal Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, Warwickshire, West Midlands, England

Sectors:

  • Transport equipment production Aeroengines & components production
  • Distribution - wholesaling, broking, market trading, etc Motor vehicle & components distribution
  • Transport equipment production Motor vehicle engines & components production

Notes:

Traced origins to Automotive Products Co, a partnership formed in 1920 to sell USA motor vehicle components in Britain, initially for USA made military lorries turned over to civil use. Founders were E B Broughton, W Emmott and D T Brock. Acquired other agencies from USA manufacturers as 'importing agents for automotive products'. Diversified into manufacture in Britain. 1928 formed Lockheed Hydraulic Brake Co Ltd to make braking systems for motor cars at Leamington Spa using patents acquired in USA. Soon diversified into clutch manufacture in 1931 through Bourg & Beck Co Ltd. Emerged as a leading British components business. Subsequently made filters, transmission systems, etc, and also components for the aircraft industry and for general industrial use. Latter operations based at Liverpool from the early 1950s and subsequently known as Lockheed Precision Products Ltd. Business operated as Automotive Products Co Ltd from 1932 and later generally known as Automotive Products Group or AP Group. In decline from c1980s. 1986 acquired by BAA, subsequently sold on and closed [2024]

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