Business History Explorer Supported by the Business Archives Council

Lucy, W, & Co Ltd

Other Business Names:

  • Carter, William
  • Eagle Ironworks
  • Grafton & Lucy
  • Lucy, William
  • Lucy Group Ltd

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

  • Oxford, Oxfordshire, Oxfordshire, South East, England
  • Thame, Oxfordshire, Oxfordshire, South East, England

Sectors:

  • Mechanical engineering Agricultural, forestry & garden machinery, implements, etc, production
  • Fabricated metal products manufacture Architectural metal products manufacture inc windows, gates, rainwater goods, etc
  • Electrical & electronic engineering Electrical & non electrical lighting & heating equipment production
  • Electrical & electronic engineering Electricity control, distribution, etc, equipment production
  • Fabricated metal products manufacture Ironmongery production
  • Distribution - retailing Ironmongery, tools, holloware, hardware, etc, retailing
  • Fabricated metal products manufacture Metal casting
  • Fabricated metal products manufacture Metal furniture production

Notes:

Believes its origins date to 1760s but documented only to 1812 when it was an ironmongery business based in central Oxford and owned by William Carter. In 1825 relocated to Eagle Ironworks when making agricultural machinery and ornamental ironwork. By 1864 known as Grafton & Lucy, with William Lucy, d1873, having joined in 1850s. In late 19th century focused on bookshelves and document storage systems. 1897 incorporated as W Lucy & Co Ltd. From early 20th century focused on manufacture of electrical equipment such as street lighting, fuse boxes and later and especially, switchgear, but continuing with metal casting. 2005 relocated manufacturing to Thame. Continues as Lucy Group Ltd in 2020, focused on switchgear and lighting manufacture but continuing activities in metal casting

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