The Crabtree Story - 90 years of electrical industry history

A book detailing the history of Crabtree Electrical from humble beginnings in a disused leather factor in Walsall to its modern day standing as one of the UK’s leading electrical companies, has just been published.

The book was launched at the Lyndon House Hotel, Walsall, which now stands on the site of the original factory where John Crabtree produced the first quick make and break switch 90 years ago. This innovative product proved so successful in its day that after starting with just a tiny workforce, within just a few years the company had moved to a much larger site and was employing over 600 staff.

The Crabtree society, ex-employees of the company, researched and published this book, with the support of Electrium and Siemens, Crabtree’s parent company. Both grand daughters of John Crabtree, Susan and Katherine, attended the book launch and were delighted with the portrayal of the past achievements of their forebears.

Allan Preston, president of the Crabtree Society said: “This book is one of the most concise company histories ever produced”.

Copies of the book entitled “The Crabtree story” are available priced at £20 per copy with all proceeds being donated to the EEIBA.

Pictured: "Susan and Katherine, grand-daughters of John Crabtree, pictured at the book launch with Barry Glew, MD of Electrium."