Marston, John, Ltd

Sectors:

  • Transport equipment production Bicycle & components production
  • Fabricated metal products manufacture Japanned ware production
  • Transport equipment production Motor vehicle production
  • Transport equipment production Motorcycle & components production

Notes:

Traced origins to John Marston, tinner and japanner, who made a wide range of domestic wares from c1860s. Made first bicycle 1887 and used Sunbeam brand name. Incorporated 1895 when a major manufacturer. Established Villiers Cycle Component Co Ltd in 1898 to make components, especially saddles. Sold tinplate business 1902. 1902 first production car manufactured. 1905 motor car manufacturing hived off into Sunbeam Motor Co Ltd. From 1912 made motorcycles. 1918 sold to Explosive Traders Ltd, later part of Nobel Industries Ltd and later part of ICI Ltd. 1937 Sunbeam business sold to Associated Motor Cycles Ltd who sold it on to Birmingham Small Arms Co Ltd in 1943

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