S-A Story supplement · Then comes the story of how Sturmey-Archer ceased to be a British company....
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1 The Sturmey-Archer Story supplement The book The Sturmey-Archer Story was published in 1987, at a time when interest in hub gears and hub dynamos was at an all-time low. Many new hubs have been launched since then, some of which echoed Sturmey-Archer designs or concepts publicised by this book. Sadly, they were not always exploited by Sturmey-Archer themselves. Moreover, in view of the comments in the book’s last paragraph, it was interesting that Shimano’s concept for the “everyday bike” of the late 1990s centred on a range of hub gears and hub brakes. In 2001, 99 years after invention of the first Sturmey-Archer gear and 98 after formal establishment of Sturmey-Archer as The Three-Speed Gear Syndicate, the company passed out of British ownership. It entered a new era as a Taiwanese- owned enterprise, with a European base in The Netherlands and no office at all in the UK. This supplement contains a brief summary of major product developments by Sturmey-Archer and its competitors from 1987 until the company left the UK. Then comes the story of how Sturmey-Archer ceased to be a British company. Finally there is additional information covering the pre-1987 era, some corrections and advice on changes of address. Contents • Product developments by Sturmey-Archer and its competitors, 1987- 2001 • How Sturmey-Archer went East • Auctioneer’s List of Sturmey-Archer Plant • Additional information covering the pre-1987 period • Corrections • Changes of Address
Transcript of S-A Story supplement · Then comes the story of how Sturmey-Archer ceased to be a British company....
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TheSturmey-ArcherStorysupplementThebookTheSturmey-ArcherStorywaspublishedin1987,atatimewheninterestinhubgearsandhubdynamoswasatanall-timelow.Manynewhubshavebeenlaunchedsincethen,someofwhichechoedSturmey-Archerdesignsorconceptspublicisedbythisbook.Sadly,theywerenotalwaysexploitedbySturmey-Archerthemselves.Moreover,inviewofthecommentsinthebook’slastparagraph,itwasinterestingthatShimano’sconceptforthe“everydaybike”ofthelate1990scentredonarangeofhubgearsandhubbrakes.
In2001,99yearsafterinventionofthefirstSturmey-Archergearand98afterformalestablishmentofSturmey-ArcherasTheThree-SpeedGearSyndicate,thecompanypassedoutofBritishownership.ItenteredaneweraasaTaiwanese-ownedenterprise,withaEuropeanbaseinTheNetherlandsandnoofficeatallintheUK.
ThissupplementcontainsabriefsummaryofmajorproductdevelopmentsbySturmey-Archeranditscompetitorsfrom1987untilthecompanylefttheUK.ThencomesthestoryofhowSturmey-ArcherceasedtobeaBritishcompany.Finallythereisadditionalinformationcoveringthepre-1987era,somecorrectionsandadviceonchangesofaddress.
Contents• ProductdevelopmentsbySturmey-Archeranditscompetitors,1987-
2001
• HowSturmey-ArcherwentEast
• Auctioneer’sListofSturmey-ArcherPlant
• Additionalinformationcoveringthepre-1987period
• Corrections
• ChangesofAddress
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ProductDevelopmentsbySturmey-Archeranditscompetitors,1987-2001Duringthisperiod,Sturmey-Archersubstantiallyre-engineeredtheirproductrange.ApartfromtheAWthree-speed,alltheirhubgearseventuallyincorporated“NIG”(NoIntermediateGear).Thisfeaturewasintendedtomaintainpositivedrivethroughthehub,regardlessofcontrolcableadjustment.Followingtheexampleoftheircompetitors,Sturmey-Archerlubricatedtheirhubsforservicelife,omittingthetraditionaloilingpoint.LongeraxleswerefittedtosomeSturmey-Archerhubs,suchastheSprinterrange.Thiswasbecausemostbicycleframeswerenowbeingproducedprimarilyforusewithderailleurgears,andcouldnoteasilyaccommodatetheshorterrearaxleshithertousedinhubgears.Typicalderailleuraxlesthemselvesalsobecamelongertoaccommodateupto10sprockets.
TheSteelite70mmhubbrakerangewasintroducedaboutthetimethebookwaspublished.Itcomprisedsteel-shelledversionsoftheElitehubbrakes.Interestingly,thesewereinsomecaseslighterthanthealloy-shelledversions.TheSteelitehubsreplacedtheearlierversionsoftheSBF,SBRandSAB.
TheAWCthree-speedcoasterwaslaunchedin1988andhadadifferentbrakeactuatortotheS3C.TheMk.2versionwasintroducedin1991andhadthreebrakeshoesegmentsratherthantheearliersinglesplitringshoe.
In1989StephenHardingofTigerCyclesLimited,Clapham,Londonfiledapatentforanon-epicyclichubgearofferingupto10well-spacedgearsandanoverallrangeof3:1.Hishubcouldbeusedwithahollowquick-releaseaxleandofferedtheoptionofpneumaticcontrol.Anine-speedprototypewasmadein1990butdespitestrenuousefforts,StephenHardingwasunabletogeneratecommercialsupportforhisingenioushub.
Sachsshowedtheirfirstfive-speedhub,thePentasport,attheMilancycleshowin1987.ItwassimilarinconceptandoverallgearingrangetotheSturmey-ArcherS5series,butwiththeadvantageofno“nogear”positionsbetweenthegears.MarketingintheUKbeganin1990.TheSachsfive-speedrangecomprisedunbraked,coasterbrakeanddrumbrakeversions,togetherwithheavierdutyalloy-shelledversions(Pentacross)intendedforoff-roaduse.NodoubtthecompetitionfromSachsledtothereplacementoftheS5/2five-speedinspring1991bytheshort-lived5-StAr(Sturmey-Archer).ThisusedadifferentshelltotheS5/2andthereforetheinternalsofthetwotypesarenotinterchangeable.Someearly5-StArssufferedfromroughrunning,aproductionproblemwhichwasquicklyremedied.Butthehubprovedtoberelativelyweak,andaxlebreakageswereunacceptablycommon.ThisledSturmey-Archertoissueawarningthatthechainwheeltosprocketsizeratioshouldnotbelessthan2:1–thecompany’saimbeingtolimitthetorquetowhichthehubwassubjected.Sturmey-Archerproducedaprototypeseven-speedversionofthe5-StArbutdidnotmarketit.TheParadigminfinitelyvariablehubgear,announcedinautumn1991,wasdesignedbyBillTerry.ItworkedinmuchthesamewayastheAll-SpeedGear
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(seepage66)butwithamuchwidergearingrangeof4.5:1.TheParadigmwasmarketedbyCV.Posi.DriveofRedmond,Washington,USA.Atthe1991GenevaShowofInventions,SwissengineerFlorianSchlumpflaunchedhisMountain-Drive.Thiswasanepicyclicchainwheelgear,comprisingacompletereplacementchainsetandspindleassembly,whichcouldbefittedintoalmostanystandardbicyclebottombracketshell.Theoriginalultrawide-ratioversionoftheMountain-Drivegavedirectdriveandamammothreductionof60%.Therewasalsoamedium-ratioversiongivingastillhugedropofabout40%.
Althoughnotahubdynamoassuch,theGermanspoke-drivenGS2000wasacloselyrelatedretrofitproduct.Itwaslaunchedabouttheendof1991.
Inearlysummer1992Shimano,whowerethoughttobeworkingonafive-speedhub,circulatedsamplesofaseven-speedwithintheGermancycletrade.Thiswasasingle-cablecompoundepicyclicmediumratiohubwitharangeof2.44:1,similarinmanywaystotheSturmey-ArcherS7of1973.KnownastheSG-7,itwasdesignedtoshiftunderreasonablepedallingloadandhadoutstandinglyevenproportionatespacingbetweenthegears.However,ithadnodirectdrive.Somecriticssuggestedthatthismightbetomaskthefrictionallossesofthecompoundepicyclicsystem.
TheoriginalcoasterbrakeversionwastheSG-7C20,supersededafterayearorsobytheslightlymodifiedSG-7C21.ShimanobegantomarketthehubintheUKinspring1995aspartoftheNexusInterrangeofhubgearsandhubbrakes.ThisrangeincludedaversionoftheSG-7combinedwiththeInter-Mroller(hub)brake.Shimanolaterannouncedarelatedfour-speed,theInter-4,whichgavedirectdriveinlowestgear.Laterstill,thiswasavailablewithamicro-processorcontrolledautomaticshifter,withtwoelectronicmodesandmanualoverride.In2000,fortheJapanesemarket,Shimanolaunchedasimplersingle-modemicroprocessorcontrolledshifterfortheirthree-speedhub.Shimano’sannouncementoftheSG-7surprisedSachs(formerlyFichtel&Sachs)whowerealreadydevelopingaseven-speedprototype.TheSchweinfurtcompanyimmediatelyrevealeddetailsoftheirseven-speedtotheGermancyclingpressandacceleratedtheirdevelopmentprogramme.TheresultwastheSachsSuper7.UnliketheShimano,thiswasasingleannulusgearwiththreesunsandthree-stagecompoundpinions–theformatlateremulatedbySturmey-ArcherfortheSprinter7,andonewhichshouldbeinherentlymoreefficientasitinvolvesasingleepicyclicgeartrain.LiketheShimanoSG-7,theSachsSuper7wasoperatedbyasinglecable.However,theSuper7’striggercontrolandcablewereintegralwitha“ClickBox”whichpluggedontotheright-handendofthewheelaxle.TheClickBoxcontainedtheindexingmechanismandnocableadjustmentwasnecessary.Themainpenaltyforthisotherwisehighlydesirablearrangementwasasomewhatvaguegearchangeaction:theconverseoftheShimanoSG-7,whichwasfiddlytoadjustbutchangedgearverypositively,viaeitheratwist-griportrigger.TheClickBoxsystemwaslaterusedonthePentasportfive-speedinplaceoftwincables.
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Inlate1992anungearedGermanhubdynamo,reminiscentoftheprototypeSturmey-Archerdesigndescribedonpage147,waslaunched.DesignedbyWilfriedSchmidt,itwastakenupbyUnionandchristenedtheWING–meaningWheelINtegratedGenerator.DTofSwitzerlandandShimanolaterintroducedtheirownhubdynamos.
InNovember1993the5-StArwasreplacedbySturmey-Archer’sfirstsingle-cablefive-speed,theSprinter–amere72yearsafterHenrySturmeypatentedsuchahub!TheSprinterusedthesameshellasthe5-StAr;andlikethe5-StAr,hadthesameratiosastheS5series.However,theSprinter’sarrangementsforroutingthetogglechainintothehubwerenovelinthattherewerefouroptions:thetraditionalflaredwheelnut;ora“gearselectorpulley”inahousingwhichslidoverthewheelnut;andineithercasewithorwithoutanaxle-fittingfulcrumlever/clip.Theseoptionswerefeltnecessarybecauseofthehighcabletensionnecessaryforsinglecableselectionoffivegears–whichwithanordinaryflarednutandbanded-onfulcrumclipcouldgivestiffoperationand/orcausethecliptoslipalongthechainstay.However,withabrazed-oncablestop,theflarednutworkedquitewell.
TheSprinter7wasaseven-speedtriplesunversionoftheSprinter,withanoverallrangeof2.78:1.Itwasdisplayedattheautumn1994AnaheimcycleshowinCalifornia(includingin“exploded”form)butvirtuallyignoredbythecyclingpress.Inspring1995atestbatchofSprinter7swasdistributedintheNetherlands,Sturmey-Archer’smainmarket.InSeptember1995thecompanyexhibitedtheSprinter7attheColognecycleshow.EventuallyitbecameavailableintheUKbutinitiallyonlyasoriginalequipmentonasmallnumberofcyclesbyRaleigh,AlexMoultonandPashley.Rumourssuggestedthatbysummer1994Sturmey-Archerhadproducedaprototypenine-speedhub,butthatfrictionallossesinthetopthreeandbottomthreegearswereconsideredunacceptable.Theycertainlydesignedaneight-speedhub,whichwasintroducedafterthecompanywassoldtoSunRace.
Sachs,whoatonetimemarketedahybridgearcomprisingathree-speedhubfittedwithtwinderailleursprockets,tooktheideafurtherbyintroducingthe3×7.Thiswasathree-speedhubgearcombinedwithaseven-speedHyperglide-compatiblecassettebody.Byspring1995twoUSdownhillmountainbikeracers,RobbyRupeandTerryTennette,wereusingthistransmission,accordingtoSachs’sadvertising.AttheFrankfurtmotorshow,heldinSeptember1995,theLandRoverAllPurposeBicyclewaslaunched.ThisvariantoftheAlexMoultonAPBwasoneofthefirstproductionbicyclestousetheSachs3×7hybridgear.The3×7waseventuallyreplacedbya3×8.In1995,Sachsrevealeda12-speedhub,knownastheElan.Itwasextremelyheavyandbulky,andwassoondroppedfromtherange.ThecompanywastakenoverbySRAM,makersofGripshift.TheformerSachsrangewasthereaftermarketedasSRAMSpectro.
AfarsuperiorproducttotheSachsElanwasRohloff’s14-speedSpeedhub,alsofromGermany.Itwasmuchlighter,veryefficientbutextremelyexpensive.In1998,Sturmey-Archerpatentedanimprovedmechanismforlockingthesunpinionsinhubswithmultiplesuns(suchasfiveandseven-speeds).Thisused
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threeball-bearingspersun.Themechanismwasincorporatedintoexistingproductsandinarevampedalloy-shelledbrakehubrangecalledSummit,shownattheIFMAtradeshowinGermanyinSeptember2000.TheSummitalloyshellshadaslightlyparabolicshape.ModelcodesfollowedthepatternX-RD5,whereRindicatedrear,Dadrumbrakeand5thenumberofgears.X-FDwasthereforeafrontdrumbrake.
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HowSturmey-ArcherwentEastDerbyInternationaltookcontrolofRaleighandSturmey-Archerin1987.In1998DerbyCyclesLimited,thenaUK-basedcompany,becamesoleownerofSturmey-ArcherLimited.Atthistimeabout40%ofSturmey-Archer’sturnovercamefromitsEngineeringComponentDepartment,whichmadesinteredandcoldforgedcomponentsfortheautomotiveanddomesticappliancemanufacturers.ThesewereproducedattheTriumphRoadfactoryintheRadforddistrictofNottingham,oppositeRaleigh’smainfactoryandheadquarters.Hubgears,hubbrakes,spokesandnippleswerealsomadeatTriumphRoadbytheCycleComponentDepartment.AmuchsmallerfactoryatSmethwick,BirminghammadeBrooksleathersaddles.
Bythelate1990s,about85%ofSturmey-Archer’sbicyclecomponentproductionwasexported,threequarterstocountriesontheEuropeanmainland.ThebiggestmarketwasTheNetherlandswheretherewasaseparateDerby-controlledsalesanddistributioncompany,Sturmey-ArcherBV.InEurope,Sturmey-Archerhadabout10%ofthehubgearmarket,wellbelowthemarketleaderSRAM(ownerofSachs)andsecond-placedShimano.Sturmey-Archer’sturnoverdroppedsteadilyfrom£18min1996toonly£12min1999.Pre-taxprofitin1996was£2.4m(13%ofturnover),whereasin1999alosswasrecordedof£0.3m.TheriseinthevalueofthepoundsterlingagainsttheEurocurrencieshadpushedSturmey-Archerintothered.
Derby’soptions
AfterSturmey-Archermadeapre-taxlossof£408,000in1998,DerbyappointedColinBatemanasmanagingdirectorofSturmey-Archer.HetookupthepostinMarch1999,withabrieftoassesstheongoingviabilityofSturmey-Archer.Eightmonthslater,BatemanreportedtothedirectorsofDerbythat,inviewofthe1998lossesandprojected1999lossesof£1.1m,hesawthreealternatives:
• Invest£3.75mimmediately,
• Considertheviabilityofongoingtrading,or
• Sellthelandand/orbusiness.
Derbyoptedforselling.ColinBatemanandSturmey-Archer’sfinancialdirectorandcompanysecretary,PaulSmith,investigatedtheoptions.On17thDecember1999,Sturmey-ArcheragreedtosellitssiteatTriumphRoad,NottinghamtoNottinghamUniversityfor£3.75m.ThesitewasthenleasedbacktoSturmey-Archerforayeartopermitrelocationofthefactory.NottinghamUniversitywantedthesiteforthe£20mNationalCollegeforSchoolLeadership.
Relocationandthesearchforanewowner
BatemanandSmithpromptlystartedasearchforseparatesitestorelocatetheEngineeringComponentandCycleComponentDepartments.TheyalsocommissionedManroConsultantstoadviseonoptimisingSturmey-Archer’sprofitability.Theydiscussedfurtheroutsourcingofmanufacturingprocesses,
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involvingbuyingincomponentsfromTaiwan,withestimatedcostsavingsof30%andaconsequentreductionofabout100intheworkforce.Theestimatedcostofrelocation,excludingtherealestatecosts,was£4m.Thisincluded£1.5mtomovetheCycleComponentDepartment,about£0.7mtomovetheEngineeringComponentsDepartmentand£1.5mforworkforceredundancies.
Derbyconsideredthesecoststobetoohigh.Theythereforecommissionedafirmofcorporatefinancialadvisers,OasisEuropeLimited,toseekpotentialbuyerswhowouldcontinuemanufactureinNottingham.Meanwhile,apossiblemanagementbuy-outoftheEngineeringComponentsDepartmentwasmooted.
Mostpotentialbuyersmerelywantedto‘cherry-pick’certainpartsofSturmey-Archer,especiallythenameand/orpatents.Sturmey-Archerwasdevelopinganeight-speedhub,whichwasofparticularinterest.SunRaceofTaiwanmadeaseriousoffertobuySturmey-ArcherwhichwouldhaveleftsomejobsinNottingham.Theirofferwas,however,contingentonSturmey-Archerachievingforecastedsalesfiguresandcouldnotthereforebefinalisedquickly.Derby,however,wereundergreatpressurefromtheirAmericaninvestorstoreducedebtandtheChaseManhattanBankrequiredaquarterlyprogressreport.
SaletoLenark
OnecompanyputforwardbyOasis,LenarkLimited,waspreparedquicklytobuythewholebusinessasagoingconcern,completewithallexistingandcontingentliabilities.ThepriceLenarkofferedwaslowerthanthatproposedbySunRacebutwasmoreacceptabletoDerbybecauseitgotridofdebtbytheendofthesecondquarterof2000,whentheirAmericaninvestorshadtoreporttotheirbankers.
Lenark,formedin1998andregisteredat33aHighStreet,Heathfield,EastSussex,appearedtoDerbytobeasoundinvestmentfirm.Itranfourdivisionscontainingabout17companies.
Consequently,on24thJune2000,DerbysoldLenarkTheWrightSaddleCompanyLimitedforanominalsum,believedtobe£30.ThiswasslightlylessthantheretailpriceofabasicSturmey-Archerthree-speedhubgear.TheWrightSaddleCompanywasadormantsubsidiaryofSturmey-Archer,incorporatedinthe1937andwhollyownedbythehub-gearmaker.
Sixdayslater,on30thJune2000,DerbytransferredtheassetsandliabilitiesofSturmey-ArcherintoTheWrightSaddleCompanyanditsnamewaschangedtoSturmey-ArcherLimited.Simultaneously,theformerSturmey-ArcherLimitedbecameDerbyCycleCorporationLimited,apparentlyontheadviceofDerby’staxspecialists.Thiswasanormalandlegaltaxavoidancemoveandshouldnotbeconstruedotherwise.
Aboutthesametime,andwithlittleornopublicity,DerbyNederlandssoldtheprofitableEuropeansalesanddistributionoperationSturmey-ArcherEuropaBV,basedinAmsterdam,tothenowLenark-ownedSturmey-ArcherLimited.Thesalepricewas3mDutchguilders(about£0.8m)andwasintheformofaloanfromDerbytoLenark.ThedirectorsofSturmey-ArcherEuropaBV,whichhadaboutsevenstaff,wereColinBatemanandPaulSmith,theMDandfinancedirector/companysecretaryofSturmey-ArcherLimited.
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Thedealsseemedtobenefiteverybody.Sturmey-Archer’smanagingdirectorColinBatemansaid,“Forthefirsttimeinalongwhilethereisroomtoinvestinproduction,marketingandproductdevelopment.”
Lenarkandrelocation
BythistimethefinancialbackersofthesuggestedEngineringComponentDepartmentmanagementbuyouthadwithdrawn.However,theyhadalreadyfoundanewfactorysiteandleftacompletedrelocationplan.Lenark’sbusinessadviser,SimonAllso,whofrontednegotiationsforLenarkthroughout,suggestedthereforethatLenarkshouldalsotakeovertheEngineeringComponentDepartment.Lenark’sdirectorsassuredColinBatemanandPaulSmiththattheywouldfundtherelocation.On1stJuly2000,twonon-executivedirectorswereappointedtotheSturmey-Archerboardbutwithlittleday-to-dayinvolvement.InbothJulyandAugust,Sturmey-Archerpaiditsnewparentcompany,Lenark,£60,000inmanagementfees.Sturmey-Archeralsopaid£52,000toanotherLenarkGroupcompany,HawsonLimited.Accordingtotheliquidator’sreport,SimonAllsopersuadedMaryWaring,oneofthenewnon-executiveexecutorstoauthorisethispayment,advisingherthatSturmey-ArcherdirectorsBatemanandSmithhadapprovedit.Theyhadnotandwerenotevenawareofthetransaction.ItlateremergedthatSimonAllso,aformerbankrupt,hadpreviouslybeeninvolvedinalargenumberofbusinessfailuresinsouthernEnglandandhadbeenimprisonedforfraud.
Bymid-August,allthedirectorsofSturmey-Archerwerestartingtohaveconcernsabouttherelocation,asLenarkhadyettoprovideanyfundsforthispurpose.NegotiationswereunderwayforfreeholdpremisestorehousetheCyclecomponentDepartmentatCalverton,nearNottinghamandtherewasalsothesitethatthefailedmanagementbuy-outhadtargetedforrelocatingtheEngineeringComponentsDepartment.Inanticipationoftherelocations,whichneededtobecompletebytheendof2000,stocklevelshadbeenincreasedandadditionalshiftsworked.
LenarkproposedthattheybuytheCalvertonsiteandsubletittotheirsubsidiarySturmey-Archer.Butatthesametime,LenarkwantedSturmey-Archertoprovidethemwiththepurchasemoney!Theproposedagreementbetweenthetwocompanieswasneverformalised.
Thefinancialsituationworsens
Pinchcametoshovewhena10%depositof£75,000wasneededfortheCalvertonsite.Sturmey-Archer,havingrecentlypaidotherpartsoftheLenarkGroup£172,000,didnothavethemoneyandwasexpectingLenarktoprovidethefunding–oneofthereasonsSturmey-ArcherwassoldbyDerbysocheaply.Lenark,however,madeitclearthattheywouldnotbeprovidingthefunds.Meanwhile,thelandlordsoftheproposedrelocationsitefortheEngineeringComponentsDepartmentwerenothappywithLenark’sfinancialstatusandthereforerefusedtosell.
Asthesituationlookedbleakerandbleaker,theboardofSturmey-ArcherheldanurgentunscheduledmeetingwithLenarkon11thSeptember2000.Lenarkwere
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representedsolelybyCliveWalton,whoheldafifthofthesharesinLenark.HestatedthathesupportedthedirectorsofSturmey-ArcherandleftthemeetingostensiblytoenlistthesupportoftheotherLenarkdirectors.ItisreportedthatsomepeopleatthemeetingthoughtWaltonhadmerelylefttheroomforacigarettebreak.Inreality,heleftthebuildingandwitheffectfromthatdate,resignedhisdirectorshipofLenark.
Closure
TheSturmey-Archerboardwerenowconcernedastotheircompany’sabilitytocontinuetrading.TheythereforecalledininsolvencypractitionersSmithandWilliamson.Theseadvisedthat,lackingthesubstantialfundingneededtorelocate,Sturmey-Archercouldnotavoidinsolventliquidation.Thus,onFriday15thSeptember,thefirstdayoftheannualIFMAcycleshowinCologne,Sturmey-Archerstaffmanningthecompany’sstandheardoftheinsolvency.ClosureoftheNottinghamplantwasannouncedtoits260staffthesameday.TheIndependentnewspaperreportedalongservingemployeesaying,“Thewholeworkforceisdevastated.Itisterrible.Ihaveworkedherefor42yearsandcouldn’tbelieveitwhenwewerecalledintothismeetingandtoldourjobshadgone.Thefirmsaysitcouldnolongeraffordtopayourwagesandaskedusalltoleavethepremisesimmediately.”ThesamepaperquotedSturmey-Archer‘smanagingdirector,ColinBateman:“ThisisasaddayforbicyclemanufacturinginNottingham,nottomentionforallthestaffthatworkhere.Wefeelveryletdown.Itisadevastatingblow.”
Foratime,28volunteersstayedoninthefactoryworkingonfinalassemblyandpackaging.
EducationandEmploymentSecretaryDavidBlunkett,respondingtoanapproachfromNottinghamSouthMPAlanSimpson,offeredtoprovidepracticalandfinancialhelptothecompany.TheEastMidlandsDevelopmentAgencyconsideredbuyingthenewsiteforSturmey-Archerandrentingitbacktothem.SadlytheseoffersdidnotcomeittimetopreventSturmey-Archer’sliquidation.TradeSecretaryStephenByerspromisedtoinvestigatethecircumstancesoftheclosurebutatthetimeofwriting(December2001)doesnotappeartohavepublishedanything.
On22ndSeptember2000,Derbyissuedthefollowingpressrelease:
Sturmey-ArcherInconnectionwithoursaleofSturmey-ArchertoLenarkinJuneofthisyeartherehasbeenmuchrumourandpubliccommentgenerated.Wesharethisdisappointmentandwouldliketosharewhatweknow.
Wedecidedtoseekabuyerforthebusinessasitdidnotfitourstrategicfocusonthemanufactureanddistributionofbicyclesandaccessories.ItwasessentialfortheviabilityofthebusinessthatabuyerbefoundwithoutdelaywhowaswillingtoinvestinthepatentedinnovationwhichSturmey-Archerhadprototypedandtorelocatetoanewsite:thebestofferwasmadebyLenark.
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IncarryingoutduediligenceonthecapabilityofLenarktomakeasuccessofSturmey-Archer,evidencewasproducedshowingthattheyappearedtohavemorethansufficientresourcestoundertaketheplansthemanagementofSturmey-Archerhadinitiatedtomakeasuccessofthebusiness.
WewerejustassurprisedandconcernedasanyonethatitnowappearsthatLenarkisunabletofundSturmey-Archer,andthishasforcedittoenterintoinsolvencyproceedings:wearebothacustomerandcreditorandwillsufferfromtheirinsolvencyalongwithothersinthesameposition.WeunderstandthataninsolvencypractitionerhasbeenappointedbythemanagementofSturmey-Archertoadvisethemthroughthisperioduntilameetingofcreditorsnextmonthdeterminesthefutureofthebusiness:wesincerelyhopethatabuyerforthebusinesscanbefound.
WeareverydistressedthatsomanySturmey-Archeremployeeswhoservedloyallyformanyyearsunderourownershipofthebusinesswilllosetheirjobsifabuyercannotbefound.
OneofthefewnewspaperstoreportthecrisisatSturmey-ArcherinanydetailwasTheMailonSunday.On24thSeptemberitsreporterLisaBuckinghamrevealedthattwootherfirmsownedbySussex-basedLenarkhadjustgoneintoliquidationandthatafurtherfourweredaysawayfromthesamefate.GaryMatthews,chiefexecutiveofDerby,protestedtoTheMailonSundayhissurprisethatSturmey-Archerwasfacingruin:“WeunderstoodLenarktobearobustinvestmentfirm.Theywererepresentedbytop-flightcounsel.”MatthewsalsoclaimedthatDerbycarriedout“theappropriateduediligence”toensureLenarkwereuptothemark.However,asthenewspaperreported,theDepartmentofTradeandIndustry(DTI)revealedthatSimonAllsowasdeclaredbankruptin1992andhadbeenlinkedwithatleasteightinsolvencies.LenarkdirectorBarryRobinsonwasreportedlyaprofessionalgamblerbasedinLasVegas.
TheMailcitedtheExperiancreditratingfirm,whichdescribedLenark’sfinancialpositionasweak,withcurrentassetsofjust£48,000attheendoftheyeartoMay1999andliabilitiesof£600,000.
Creditors’meeting
OnMonday2ndOctober,creditorsofSturmey-ArcherarrivedinBirminghamforameetingofabout50people,whichwasexpectedtoplacethecompanyinliquidation.JeremyLewisandJamesStack,ontheThisisNottinghamwebsite,reportedtheeventsingraphicdetail.AttendeesdiscoveredthatcontrolofSturmey-Archerhadchanged.Lenarkhadsackedthemanagementteamjusttwohoursbeforethemeeting.Thenewdirectors,BarryRobinsonandhisassociateAlanBrigham,wantedtoavoidliquidationandinsteadintendedapplyingforanadministrationorderintheHighCourtthefollowingFriday.Themeetingwasthereforeredefinedasaninformalmeetingofcreditorsratherthanaformalcreditors’meeting.
ThemeetingstartedwithoutBarryRobinson,whoarrivedtenminuteslate.DelegatesdemandedthefreezingofSturmey-Archer’sbankaccountwith
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BarclaysatWalton-on-Thames,fromwhichafurther£25,000hadrecentlybeentakenbyLenarkmakingatotaltakenofsome£192,000.TheyalsosucceededingettingLenarktoreconsidertheapplicationforanadministrationorder,arguingthatwithoutasubstantialinjectionofcash,itwouldbepointlesssolateintheday.Freshly-sackedformermanagingdirectorColinBatemanarguedthatplacingthecompanyinadministrationwouldbeadisaster:itwoulddelayredundancypaymentstotheworkersbymanymonths,anditwouldlosethecompanycustomerswhowouldgoelsewhere.
Themeetingwasheated.Atonestage,adepartingSturmey-Archermanager,AlanEttles,askedBarryRobinson,“Whathaschangedtomakeyoubelieveitisworthinvestingin?Haveyoucomeforabitmoreofthecake?Thecrumbsthatareleft?Whatareyouafter?”Robinsonreplied,“WearetryingtosaveSturmey-Archer.…Wewanttosaveasmanyjobsaspossible.”
NottinghamSouthMPAlanSimpsonaskedwhyLenarkhadnotapproachedtheDTIortheDepartmentforEducationandemploymentforassistancewiththerelocationtoCalverton.HealsoaskedforthefinancialguaranteethatLenarkgavetoDerbytobepublished.Derby’scorporatecontroller,SimonGoddard,reiteratedthecompany’sstancethatithadundertaken“duediligence”viaafirmoffinancialadvisers.GaryMatthews,chiefexecutiveofDerby,hadtoldTheMailonSundaythatWraggeandCo.didtheduediligenceonLenark.ButWraggeandCo.deniedthisatthemeeting,sayingitwasdonebyOasisEurope,thecompanythatmadetheDerby-Lenarkmatch.Oasissubsequentlydeniedthis,leavingsuspicionsthatnobodydidtheduediligence,despitewhatmayhavebeenbelievedbythoseinvolved.
TonyMurphyofSturmey-Archer’sinsolvencypractitionersSmithandWilliamson,pointedoutthatthreeLenarkcompanieswereinliquidation,anotherinreceivershipandafifthmightwellgointoliquidationfollowingacreditors’meetinginaweek’stime.Derbyhadinsolvencypractitionersatthemeeting,partlybecauseLenarkstillowedthemabout£0.8mforthepurchaseofSturmey-ArcherEuropaBV.Hence,Derbytoowaskeenforimmediateliquidation.AlsopresentwasGeorgeHuofSunRaceUSA,wearingablackshirtemblazonedwithhiscompanyname.PlainlyhiscompanystillwantedSturmey-Archer.NewSturmey-ArcherMDBarryRobinsonwasgivenfifteenminutesbythemeetingtoconsiderhisoptions.Thishedidandannounced,throughTonyMurphyofSturmey-Archer’sinsolvencypractitionersSmithandWilliamson,thatthebankaccountwouldbefrozenandthatLenarkwouldunderwritethecostofinvestigatingthebenefitsofputtingthecompanyintoliquidation.DavidStott,anengineeringmanagerwithSturmey-Archer,successfullydemandedthatthemeetingnotbeallowedtobreakupuntilithadbeenconfirmedthatthebankaccountwasfrozen.
Liquidation
Bytheendoftheweek,BarryRobinson,havingtwicevisitedtheNottinghamfactory,haddecidedthattherewasnowayarescuecouldbearrangedusingSturmeyplantascollateral.Thereforeadministrationwasnolongeranoption.
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DerbychiefexecutiveGaryMatthewsthensaidthatDerbymightbeinterestedinbuyingsomeofSturmey-Archer’sbicyclerelateddivisions,butnothingcameofthis.So,Sturmey-Archerwentintoliquidation.Thedirectorsattributeditsfailureandthelossofsome300jobstothelackoffinancialsupportfromLenark.Theyconsideredthat,apartfromthenecessitytorelocateandcostsassociatedwiththis,thecompanyremainedafundamentallyviablebusiness.
Assetswereestimatedtorealise£3.7m.Theseincludeda100%shareholdinginSturmey-ArcherEuropaBV,valuedat£0.75m;machineryandequipmentvaluedat£1.1mandstockworth£1m.Thecompanyhadadeficitof£2.3m.Thelargestcategoryofcreditorswastheemployees.Theirclaimsinlieuofnoticeandredundancypayamountedtonearly£3.3m.
InearlyNovember2000,asliquidationofSturmey-Archerproceeded,themanagementteamofBrookssaddlespaidtheliquidators£1mandthussavedtheSmethwick,Birminghamoperation.Brooksexported85%ofitsproductiontomorethan180countriesandwasestablishedinBirminghamabout1870.Theplantemployedabout20staff.Ananonymous‘UKbiketradeindividual’,whomwenowknowwasJohnMacnaughtanofRaleighactinginaprivatecapacity,financiallysupportedtheacquisition.ThenewmanagingdirectorofBrookswasGordonNixon.HehadbeentheBrooksfactorymanagerandthetwo-dayaweekpersonnelmanagerforSturmey-Archer.AuctioneersFDSavillsauctionedtheSturmey-Archerfactoryequipment.AsalepreviewwasheldonMonday11thDecember.TheequipmentincludedthreeLiebergeldcold-forgingpresses,saidtobeworthmorethan£100,000each.Thelargestweighedabout1,000tonnes.Thefulllistofequipmentisgivenbelowthisarticle.
SunRacebuySturmey-Archer
Onthedayoftheauctionpreview,11thDecember2000,thefollowingpressreleasewasissuedbySunRaceRootsEnterpriseCo.ofTaiwan:
FromtheOfficeofThePresident,SunRaceRootsEnterpriseCo.,Ltd.,ispleasedtoannouncethefollowing:
SunRaceRootsEnterpriseCo.,Ltd.,apublictradedcompanyonTaiwanStockExchange,oneofthelargestglobalmanufacturesofbicycledrivetraincomponentsof28years,oneofthekeyplayersinthebicycleindustryinNorthandLatinAmericasandAsia,hasjustcompletedadealwithSturmey-ArcherLtd.,theproducerofthe98yearsoldSturmey-Archerbrandedbicycleinternalgearhubs,the“original”inventoroftheinternalgearhubsystem.
ThedealwillgiveSunRaceastrongfootholdintotheEuropeanmarket.ThispurchasecompletesSunRaceasoneofthethreetotalbicycledrivetrainsolutionsproviderinthesameleaguenexttoShimanoandSRAM.
Totalinvestmentonthepurchase,tobringproductionback,andtodevelopnewproductsforintroductionin2002willbearoundThreeandaHalfMillionUSDollars(USD$3,500,000.00).
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TheNorthAmericanoperationswillchangethenamefromSunRaceUSAtoSunRaceSturmey-ArcherUSA.TheEuropeanoperationswillchangethecompanynamefromSturmey-Archer(Europa)BVtoSunRaceSturmey-ArcherEuropeBV.TheparentcompanySunRaceRootsEnterpriseCo.,Ltd.,willchangethecompanynametoSunRaceSturmey-ArcherInc.SunRace’sChinaoperationswillberenamedasSunRaceSturmey-Archer(WuXi)Industries.
ItisSunRaceSturmey-ArcherInc.’sintentiontocontinuewiththe98yearsoldSturmey-ArcherBrandwhichhastraditionallybeenassociatedwithhighend.Withthebackupofthenewlyaddedengineering,manufacturingandmarketingcapabilitiesofSunRace,Sturmey-ArcherproductswillcontinueandexpandtoafullInternalGearHubDrivetrainGroupconsistofShifters,BrakeLevers,ChainwheelCrankSets,Chains,andInternalGearHubswithDrumandCoasterBrakes.SunRaceSturmey-ArcherInc.willmarkettheDerailleurDrivetrainGroups,whichconsistofShiftersandBrakeLevers,FrontandRearDerailleurs,ChainwheelCrankSets,FreewheelsandCassettes,HubSets,andMultipleSpeedChainsundertheSunRaceBrand.
TheproductionofSturmey-ArcherhubsandservicepartswillcontinuefromSunRaceTaiwanfactory.ThemovewillmakeSturmey-ArcherProductsmuchmorecompetitivethanbefore.ProductionwillstartJanuary2001withresumeshippingdatesoflateMarch,earlyApril2001.Andfortheyear2002,celebratingtheCenturyMarkof100yearsonSturmey-Archer,SunRaceSturmey-Archerwillintroduceaveryspecialsurprisebasedonthepatentpendingtechnology.
Mr.AlanClarke,aSturmey-ArcherManof31years,hasbeennamedtheGeneralManagerofSunRaceSturmey-ArcherEuropeBV.SunRaceSturmey-ArcherEuropeBVwillstocktheentirelineofSunRacebrandedMTB,ATBandBMXproductstoserviceourEuropeancustomers.
• Sturmey-Archerwastheoriginalinventorofmultiplespeedgearsonbicycles.
• Sturmey-ArcherwastheFirsttoinventthe3speedgearhubsbackin1901.
• Sturmey-ArcherwastheFirsttoinventthe4speedgearhub.
• Sturmey-ArcherwastheFirsttoinventthe5speedgearhub.
• Sturmey-ArcherwastheFirsttoinventthe7speedgearhub.
• Sturmey-Archerhassoldover100millionhubstotheworld.
• Sturmey-ArcherusedtolicenseSACHSinGermanytoproducegearhubs.
• For2002,Sturmey-Archerwillbethefirsttointroduce,asurprise.
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ItisSunRaceSturmey-Archer’sintentiontomakeSturmey-ArcherNOTasthethirdplayer,butastheLeadingPlayer,likeSturmey-Archerhasbeeninthegloriouspast.
IfyouhavereadthepublishedbooktitledTheSturmey-ArcherStory,youmustwaitandseethelatestChapterthatisbeginningtoform.Thetitleis,TheSturmey-ArcherStorypartII,TheComeback.
SunRacepaid£0.75mforSturmey-Archer.SunRacewasformedin1972and,atthetimeoftheSturmey-Archeracquisition,wasownedbyitschiefexecutiveofficer,Yi-HsungHsu.The‘veryspecialsurprise’promisedfor2002isalmostcertainlytheeight-speedhubthatSturmey-Archerweredevelopingbeforethecompanywentintoliquidation.Itshouldbenotedthat,contrarytothestatementabove(andasanyreaderofTheSturmey-ArcherStorywillknow)Sturmey-Archerwasnottheoriginalinventorofmultiplespeedgearsonbicycles,norwasitthefirsttoinventafour-speedhub.
TheauctionofSturmey-Archerequipmenttookplace12-14thDecember2000.Theboardroomtablereportedlywentfor£2.Twentycontainerloadsoftooling,accessoriesandsparepartswereshippedtotheeight-floorSunRacefactoryinTaoyuanprovince,Taiwan.Thisalreadyemployedsome250peopleandhadthecapacitytoproducemorethanamilliondrivetrainsetsamonth.SunRaceboughtonlyafewitemsfromtheSavillsauctioncatalogue.TheotherSturmey-Archerequipmenttheyobtainedhadbeenpre-selectedandomittedfromthesalelist.
AESRwritestotheDTI
Whiletheauctionwason,thepressuregroupArchitectsandEngineersforSocialResponsibility(AESR)wrotetotheDTICompaniesInvestigationsBranchabouttheclosureofSturmey-Archer.Thisgroupencouragesenvironment-friendlytechnologiesandanawarenessofethicalvaluesintheprofessionsitrepresents.AESRurgedthatanenquirybecarriedoutintothesaleandliquidation,andthatitshouldspecificallyexaminethesepoints:
• DidLenarkdeceiveDerbyastoLenark’sfinancialstatus?
• InchargingSturmey-Archermanagementfees,didLenarkobtainmoneybydeception?
• IfDerbywerenotdeceived,didtheyproceedwithduediligenceinmakingthesale?
• WhydidDerbyselltheDutchSturmey-Archercompanyfor£0.8mtotheLenark-ownedSturmey-ArcherLimitedonlydaysaftersellingtheBritishSturmey-ArchercompanytoLenarkfor£30?
ProductionstartsinTaiwan
InApril2001,SunRaceannouncedthattheSturmey-ArcherproductionlinehadbeeninstalledinTaiwanunderthesupervisionofthreeex-employeesoftheformerNottinghamcompany.ItwasanticipatedthatitwouldbeAugust2001beforeallhubsfromtheoldSturmey-Archerrangewouldbefreelyavailable.AlanClarke,generalmanagerofSunRaceSturmey-ArcherEuropeBV,saidthat
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theexternalappearanceofmanyhubswouldbemodernisedandthatsomenewgearcontrolswouldbeintroduced.HesaidthatSturmey-Archerbrandedchainwheelsandcranksetswouldbeaddedtotherange,sothatcompletedrivetrainscouldbeoffered.InmidJunethefirstTaiwanese-madehub-gearsreachedEurope.AmongthefirstcustomerswereDerby-ownedRaleigh.Thiswasparticularlyironic.AsCarltonReidwroteon4thJune2001ontheBicycleBusinesswebsite,“VisitorstotheRaleighboardroomnowhaveadifferentvistatofeasttheireyeson.NolongerwilltheyseethedefunctSturmey-Archerfactory:itwasblownupyesterday!”
Ittookanothercoupleofmonthstocompleteclearingthesiteatacostintheorderof£0.5m.Thefinancialclearingupproceededinparallel:on2ndJuly2001Sturmey-ArcherLimitedwasrenamedSARealisationsLimited,registeredattheGuildfordofficesofliquidatorsSmithandWilliamson.
Bythetimethefactorywasdemolished,GaryMatthews,theDerbychiefexecutiveofficerwhostartedtheSturmey-Archerdisposalrolling,wasalsohistory–atleastasfarasDerbywereconcerned.Moreover,withinafewmonths,Derbyitselfwaswoundup:formoreonthisseemybookRaleigh:pastandpresenceofaniconicbicyclebrand.Principalsources
1. BicycleBusinesswebsite.2. ThisisNottinghamwebsite.
3. ArticlebyMichaelRadfordinNews&ViewsoftheVeteran-CycleClub,June/July2001.
4. Liquidators’reportformeetingofcreditors.
5. CorrespondencebetweentheauthorandSunRaceSturmey-Archer.Acknowledgements
SpecialthankstoMichaelRadford,CarltonReidandDavidSquires.
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Auctioneer’sListofSturmey-ArcherPlant
Presses–ColdForging&DeepDrawingLiebergeld1x‘L1000’and2x‘L630’tonneMechanicalColdForgingPresses(1986).Craig&Donald3x500and6x425tonMechanicalColdForgingPress.AIDA‘C2-25’10-Station250tonTransferMechanicalDeepDrawingPress.AIDA‘C1-20’200tonTransferMechanicalDeepDrawingPress.Taylor&Challen‘1573’130ton.GearedDeepDrawingPress.
OtherPressesHME‘G-100’100ton‘C’Press.HME‘Rigispeed’70tonOpenFrontPress.TranemoDoubleActionHydraulicPress200tonne.Wilkins&Mitchell‘C30’150tonMechanical‘H’FramePress.14xTaylor&ChallenPresses,12xBliss,15xHME,3xTurnerBros.,5xWells5ton,HarePresses14x‘5BS’,2x‘5IT’,4x‘Airmiser’Pneumatic,Cincinnati‘MilacronG-30’,CVA25tonDieingPress,Lectra&RaskinPresses,2xBHPandHumphrisCoilFeeders.
PowderMetallurgyPressesAtlas‘MPA15’15tonnePowderCompactingPress(1997).Dorst‘TPA100’100tonne(Rebuilt1998).Lauffer‘HPM200L’200tonneHydraulicPowderCompactingPress.Bussmann‘HPM200’200ton.2xBussmann‘Simetag’200tonne.Bussmann‘Simetag’400tonne.Dorst350ton.Mannesmann‘Simetag’15ton.7xManesty35ton.Mannesmann‘Simetag’45tonne.2xDorst‘TPA60’60tonne.5xRotaryConePowderMixingM/c’s.
WireandSparkErodersAgie‘AgiecutSprint70’CNCWireEroder(’93).Agie‘AgiecutDEM315220H’CNCWireEroder(’84).Agie‘AgietronEMS-2’CNCSparkEroder(’85).Agie‘AgietronFMS15’SparkEroder.
MultiSpindleBarAutoLathesWickmans3x13/4″–6Spindle,5x1″–6Spindle,12x?”–6Spindle,1x13/4″–5Spindle.NewBritainGridleys18x1″–6Spindle,2x21/4″–6SpindlealsoBSA1″–6Spindle.
MultiSpindleChuckingAutoLathesWickman24x6″–5Spindle,13x6?”–6Spindle,12xKummer‘K20’2Spindle.
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SingleSpindleAutoLathesBechler‘AR10’and‘BR-20′SwissTypeSlidingHeadswithMultibarPoweredBarFeeders.Petermann’10HS’SwissTypeSlidingHead.12xCVA‘No.8’SingleSpindleBarAutowith12StationMagazineBarLoaderand4xwithVibroBarrelMagazineFeed.
CNCMachinesTakisawa‘TC-2’CNCSlantBedLathes,4xMk.II(’91),2xMk.I(’97).Sameco‘Monosam45’HydraulicBarFeed.Kitamura‘MyCenter1’CNCVert.M/cCentre(’83).TiHerbert-Churchill‘HC3/15’CNCSlantBedLathe(’86).
GrindingMachinesJones&Shipman1x‘1305EIU’UniversalCylindrical(’81),4x‘1400’Horiz.Surface,4x‘1300’UniversalCylindricalwithInt.GrindingSpindle,1x‘310’Tool&CutterGrinder.4x‘540’Horiz.Surface.ThompsonHoriz.Surface.Matrix‘GU065’UniversalCylindrical.Catmur‘2C’JigGrinder.2xBSACentrelessGrinders.Brierley‘ZB32’DrillPointGrinder,somewithMagneticChucks.Cincinnati‘No.2’Tool&CutterGrinder.Pratt&WhitneyTool&CutterGrinder.AlsovariousOff-HandGrinders.
AirCompressors/BoilersIngersollRand1x‘SSRML132’PackagedScrew(’98)&1x‘TMS300’AirDryer(’98).3x‘EN4C30’ReceiverMounted,1x‘SSRML4’PackagedScrewwithTMSAirDryer,1x‘SSR200018L’PackagedScrewwithTMS‘190’AirDryer.Hydrovane‘IP54’RotaryVane.CompairBroomwade‘6000N’PackagedScrew.Broomwade‘V200A-F3’VeeTwinCompressorwithTMS‘190’AirDryer.2xHoval‘ST6000’GasFiredMediumPressureHotWaterBoiler,6MillionBtu/Hr.Output(’84).
BroachingMachinesLapointe1x‘SPD’Vert.Semi-AutoPullBroacheralso5x‘FP5’Verticals.WeatherleyHoriz.Broacher.Weatherley‘XP30X54’4StationVert.Int.Broacher.Cincinnati‘1066’TableIndexVert.SurfaceBroacher.WeatherleyCincinnati‘XP30X30’2StationVert.Int.Broacher.
SawingMachinesRohbi2x‘RKA62’AutoVert.ReciprocatingCut-offSaw(’87/’89).Kasto‘SSB260VA’Vert.CrossCuttingBandsaw(’86).
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Do-All‘BWIPG’Vert.Bandsaw.Clarke‘CHS8W’ReciprocatingHacksaw.Birkett‘Cutmaster’PullDownCut-offSaw.Thiel‘Segura117’Vert.Bandsaw.
FinishingMachines1xMorris-Flex&1xMoonsRotaryTransferPolishingM/c’s.3xDougBoothShotblastM/c’s.4xActonVibrotaVibro-BarrelRumblingM/c’s.10xBoultonVibro-BarrellingM/c’s.AlsoRhodes,Trowall&CanningVibratoryBarrels.CM‘1000’ShotblastCabinet.Vixen‘Jetair’BeadblastCabinet.Butterfield‘MCRAiroblast’ConveyorisedBeadblastM/c.OsroHighEnergyCentrifugalDeburrer.ActonVibrota‘VB3’Vibro-Barrel.ActonVibrotaVibratoryMaizeDryer.
TreatmentPlantICITrichlorethyleneHeatedDegreasingTank.PPCAutoBarrelTransferProcessPlant.HockleySemi-AutoBarrelTransferProcessPlant.ElectroPaintConveyorisedWashPlant.Hockley‘Barraflow’WashPlant.OhmicAutoBarrelTransferProcessPlant(Rebuilt’90).
Furnaces/Ovens2xWellmanGasFiredMesh-BeltAnneal(’85).2xWildBarfield70Kw.ElectricTemper.6xBritishFurnacesGasFiredSealedQuench.3xHeatTreatmentServicesGasFiredMesh-BeltSinter.3xBirlecGasFiredMesh-BeltSinter.EFCOElectricMesh-BeltEnamelBakingOven.
DieCastingMachineryEMB‘No.14’ColdChamberDieCastingM/c.2xEMB‘No.10’.3xRamsellNaberElectricCrucibleFurnace.2xFisher24NippleDieCaster.
SpokeandNippleMachines7xHahn&Kolb‘T3’Vario9StationRotaryTransfer.12xAachenerBicycleSpokeMakingM/c’s.18xAmba10StationRotaryTransfer.4xAmbaAachenerColdHeadingM/c’s.
LathesDSG’sStraightBedCentreLathes.1x13-30(RebuiltbyDSGin’97).
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1x1307-30.SugaPlugboardAuto4x‘STS-2’,3x‘STM-2’,1x‘STM-3’.8xHerbert‘Cri-DanB’ThreadingLathe.Myford‘Super7’Lathe.DSG‘Type17’17x86GapBedCentre.Harrison‘M400’StraightBedCentre.Herbert‘No.4’Capstan.
GearMachines9xDrummond‘Maxicut2A’GearShaper.3xMikron‘132.02’GearHobber.
Drilling/Milling/TappingMachines2xAdcock-Shipley‘BridgeportJB’TurretMillingM/c’s.2xSlack&Parr18SpindleHoriz.DrillingM/c’s.7xCentec‘RE29’PlainHoriz.Milling.6xCincinnati‘100’Horiz.Rise&FallMilling.2xCincinnati‘100’PlainHoriz.Milling.5xMollartTwinSpindleHoriz.DeepHoleDrillingM/c’s.3xSlack&ParrQuickTap.ElevatingArmRadialDrill.2xThiel‘Duplex158’Vert.MillingwithHoriz.MillingSpindle&DRO.Parkson‘M1200’PlainVert.Milling.Kearney&Trecker‘430’Vert.Milling.
MiscellaneousMachinesSIPSocieteGenevoise‘Hydroptic-6HY-6P’JigBorer.Sunnen‘MBB-1650A’PrecisionHoningM/c.Liebergeld‘STR63’HighSpeedBarCropper(’85).HylatechnikHydraulicDieSplitter.West‘MonoArc222’8Kva.ElectricArcWelder.Edwards48″PoweredGuillotine.MorganRushworth50″Box&PanFolder.Sureweld‘Tigtronic165’150ampWelder.Heenan&Froude‘S50′andRockwell’35’Horiz.
StripFormersUSBairdHoriz.SpringFormer.Löser‘KS360’CentrelessLinisher(’96).Flott‘BSM75’CentrelessLinisher.TwinCarouselEnamelSprayLine.ArcSystem801CDCap.DischargePortableElectricArcStudWelder.PantographEngraver.Kitchen&Wade‘E26’4ft.Gentry‘305’AutoVert.LappingM/c.OrmerodShaper.
Inspection&LaboratoryEquipmentVariousInspectionandMeasurementEquipt.IncludingMitutoyo‘BH504’Co-ordinateMeasuringM/c.,HommelInt.&Ext.GearProfileInspectionM/c’s.
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2xBaty‘R202’ShadowgraphProjectorswithDRO.SigmaProjector,andLargeQtycomparators,Plug&SlipGauges.AlsoVariousLaboratoryEquipt.includingTensile/CompressionTestingM/c’s.,Microscopes,HardnessTesters,ElectronicBalances,SampleMounting,HoundsfieldTensometers.
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AdditionalInformation(Pre1987)ThissectiongivesadditionalinformationontheSturmey-Archerstorypriorto1987,andwhichrelatesdirectlytothetextofthebook.
Page17,column2,paragraph5
TheearliestpatentedderailleurseemstobethePolycelere(meaningMultispeed).ItwaspatentedbyJeanLoubeyreinParisin1895.ForfurtherdetailsofthisandotherearlyderailleursseeRonShepherd’sexcellentarticle“TheOriginsofDerailleurGears”inTheBoneshaker,Vol.13,No.124,Winter1990,publishedbytheVeteran-CycleClub.
Page19,column1,paragraph2–WilliamReilly’searlyyears
IamindebtedtoMrADDorseyofHullforhisfurtherresearch,completedinOctober2001,whichhasgivenusthefollowingadditionalinformationaboutthefamilybackgroundofWilliamReilly.WilliamReillywasbornatthefamilyhome,10WoodStreet,Salfordon11thJanuary1867.HisfatherwasPeterReilly,adairymanbornsomewhereinIrelandabout1831.Peterwouldhavebeen14-16yearsoldduringtheworstyearsoftheIrishfamineandthiswasprobablythecauseofhismovetoSalford.William’smotherwasRosanna(Rose)Reilly,néeBrown,adairywomanborninSalford.By1871whenWilliamwasfouryearsold,hehadeightlivingsiblings,ranginginagefrom2to18years.Theyoungest,Rose,wasbornabout1869,Jamesc.1865,Selinac.1863,Josephc.1861,Peterc.1860,Janec.1857,Maryc.1855andtheeldest,John,wasbornabout1853.
TenyearslaterWilliamwasa14-year-oldengineturner,livingat1LeeGrove,Salford.ThiswasthehomeofhiseldestbrotherJohn,nowa28-year-oldmechanicworkingonturningmachines.Johnlivedwithhis21-year-oldwifeJane,apparentlyaformerdairywoman.AlsointhehouseholdwereWilliamandJohn’sbrothersJoseph,nowa20-year-oldengineshunterpointsman,andArthurH.Reilly,a9-year-oldschoolboy.ArthurH.,knownasHarry,wasbornabout1873andwasthereforeaboutfiveyearsyoungerthanWilliam.Seepage52ofTheSturmey-ArcherStoryforthestoryofhowHarryandWilliamweretofalloutwitheachother.
Page67,column2,paragraph5
TwoexamplesoftheAll-SpeedGearhavebeendiscovered,oneinFrance,theotherinBritain.
Page74,column2,paragraph2–typeKclutch
In1936,Sturmey-ArcherenthusiastJimGillwasgivenanewbicyclewithKtype3-speed.Herecalledthatithada“nodrive”position,notunlikethatoftheAW.Howdidthisfitwiththe“noslip”clutchdescribedinthebook?Tofindout,in1993JimwroteofhowhestrippeddownmorethantwentyKandKBhubs.Hediscoveredthatfrom1935untiltheKwasphasedoutin1937,therewasawider
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tolerancebetweentheclutcharmandthecagedogs,givingadefinite“nodrive”position.
Page76,column1,paragraph3–WilliamReilly’slateryears
InalettertoTheClassicMotorCyclemagazine,June1987edition,NormanBrookerevealedthat,onleavingthearmyinthelate1940s,hewenttoworkforasmallengineeringcompanyinStockport.TherehemetWilliamReilly(knowntohiscolleaguesasBill)whowasthen83.Reilly,althoughshakyandwithpooreyesight,didmostofthecompany’smachining;ononeoccasioneventurningasquareholewithalathe,byusinganaccessoryhehadmadehimself.HetoldNormanBrookehowhehadinventedtheSturmey-Archergearandclaimedthathehadbeencheatedoutofthepatentrights.Healsoshowedblueprintswhichhestatedweretheoriginaldrawings.About1950,whilstcyclingtowork,BillReillyfeltill.Standinghisbicycleagainstthekerb,hesatdowninthedoorwayofashopanddied.
Page130,column1–Out-of-PatentCopies–AW‘Clones’
FromexaminationofhubsbyTedTyndall,heandIconcludethefollowingaboutwhomadeHerculesAWhubs.ItiswellknownthatHerculesbrokethecyclemanufacturers’pricecartelinthe1930sandrapidlybecameahugeproducerofrelativelyinexpensivebicycles.RaleighwouldnothavewantedHerculestobeseentobesupplyingbikesfittedwithSturmey-Archerhubs,asS-AwasapremiumRaleighbrand.Ontheotherhand,RaleighwouldnothavewantedtomissoutonsellingvastnumbersofS-AhubstoHercules.Soweconcludethat,forawhile,Raleighgotthebestofbothworldsbybadge-engineeringS-AhubsforHercules.FromTed’sexaminationofhubs,itseemsprobablethatS-Astartedbadge-engineeringhubsforHerculesjustassoonastheirnewAWdesignhadbeenproveninservice(c.1937).SoonafterWW2,HerculesstartedmakingorcommissioningcopiesoftheAW,withoutS-A’sapproval.RaleighservedawritonHerculesfortransgressingaminor1939patentconcerningselectorsplines,soHerculesmerelychangedthesplinedesignslightlyandcarriedonwithimpunity.TherewasnothingelseintheAWdesignthatwasprotectedbyanyenforceablepatent.BramptonandHerculesbothbecamepartofTI’sBritishCycleCorporationanditisprobablethatmostpost-warHerculesAWcopiesweremadebyBrampton.Inthemid1950s,BCCenteredformalagreementswithRaleightostopmakinghubgearsanduseonlyS-Ahubs.Thereafter,asnotedonpage136,column2,Sturmey-Archeragainsuppliedbadge-engineeredhubstoHerculeswhenS-AintroducedtheSWhubasareplacementfortheAW.
Page134,column1–ANewWide-RatioThree-Speed–TheSW
JoshMalinhasdiscoveredanAWdatestamped556,indicatingmanufactureinJune1955.Thisisplainlylaterproductionthanwasgenerallybelievedhitherto.
Page137,column1,firstthreeparagraphs–SWreliabilityproblems
In1995,Sturmey-ArcherenthusiastJimGillproducedareportontheSW’sshortcomingsandhowtheymightberesolved.Henotedthatslippingoccurredindirectandhighgearsbutnotinlowgear.Afterextensivetestingheconcludedthatinvariablyoneortwopawlsfailedtoseatfullyagainsttheratchetteeth.
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“Thegearringandpawlringwerethusnolongerconcentricsothatwitheachturnofthehubthedogswhichlockedthesetwoitemstogethermovedveryslightlyinrelationtoeachotherandeventuallythey‘walked’apartcausingaslip.”HeconcludedthattheSWwouldhaveworkedfineifSturmey-Archerhada)slightlyincreasedthedepthofthewellforthepawlsandb)fittedeachpawlwithaspringandmodifiedtheprofileoftheratchetteethintheballcups.
Page143,column2,finalparagraph–MoultonStowawaycoasters
VeryearlyMoultonStowawayswerefittedwitha36spokeholecoastermarkedPerry**,ratherthana28holePerryB-500.TheearlierhubsmaywellhavebeentheB-100pattern(seepage144,paragraph1).
Page147,column2,paragraph4
TonyHillyerretiredinJune1995.
Page179,ConvertinganFWintoa5-speed
MikeCurtishasdevisedaconversionthatretainstheoriginal4-speedtriggerandusesasecondtriggersimplytoinvoketheadditionalfifthgear.Hehasalsodesignedamodificationtoreducethedragcausedbythesunspring.DetailsareconfidentialbutyoucancontactMikebysendingaStampedAddressedEnvelope(orInternationalReplyCoupons)tohimat13WingfieldRoad,Trowbridge,WiltshireBA149EE,UnitedKingdom.
Page179,column1,paragraph3
TheThreeSpeedAlloyandFiveSpeedAlloyusedthesameshellcasting.Therefore,eventhoughmadeafterApril1984,theThreeSpeedAlloy’sshellcantaketheS5/2(andthereforetheS5,S5/1,FWandAM)internals.Note,however,thattheS5/2retro-fitkitisnolongermade.
Page180,column2,paragraph3
FortheSturmey-ArcherconversionofastandardAWto2-speedfixedoperation,seeelsewhereonthiswebsite.YouwillalsofindthereJimGill’sinstructionsforconvertinganFMintoa3-speedfixedhub.
Page181,column1-CycloConverters
Thesearenolongermanufactured,althoughabatchofoldstockwasadvertisedforsalebyamajorcycleshopin1995.
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CorrectionsThissectionidentifiesandcorrectstypographical,proof-readingandothererrorsintheprintedtextofthebook.
Page13,column2,finalparagraph
ThefirstversionoftheBantamhadequal-sized24-inchwheels;the“babyordinary”wasthesecondmodel.
Page17,column2,paragraph2
Eite&Todd,notElite&Todd.
Page17,column2,paragraph3
TheWhippetbicyclewasintroducedin1887.TheProteangearwaspatentedinSeptember1894andfirstsoldinMarch1895.
Page17,column2,paragraph6
TheGradientappearedin1896.
Page19,column2,paragraph2,line3
For“1986”read“1896”.
Page32,tableincolumn2
Forspeed2thenumberofrevolutionsshouldbe25,not35.
Page88,column2,paragraph3,finalline
For“92.6”read“82.6”.
Page95,column2,finalparagraph
TheARwasfirstproducedwiththeAW-typeindicatorandwaschangedin1939tofeaturetheleft-handindicator.IneffectthecommentsontheAMonpage96,column2,firsttwosentences,alsoapplytotheAM.
Page108,column2,paragraph1,line1
For“December”read“September”.
Page143,column2,paragraph2,line3
For“milles”read“miles”.
Page151,column1,para4,line2
Theyearshouldbe1978.
Page154,column1,para6,line1
Thepatentnumberis1,399,434.
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Page155,column2,flowchart
Delete“withcompoundplanetpinions”fromnoteundertitle.
Page171,column2,line1
For“Sachs-Hurst”read“Sachs-Huret”.
Page179,column1,paragraph3,line4
For“list”read“kit”.
Page181,column2,paragraph1,line2
Delete“PriortothisasimilarunitwasmadebyGianRobert”.(GianRobertonlymadethederailleurmechanism.)
Page190,column2,line2
For“SC1”read“SCC”.
26
ChangesofAddressAfterthepassageofnearly30years,manyaddressesshowninthebooknolongerapply.Mostcompanies,organisationsorindividualsthatarestillinbusinessshouldbetraceableviatheirownwebsitesorthroughwebsitessuchas192.com.
TonyHadland
Lastrevised:20December2015
