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| AL-KO Kober's UK History
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AL-KO is
the worldwide, leading, caravan chassis manufacturer and
has currently produced over 2 million chassis.
Since 1968, caravan manufacturers have been designing
and developing caravan bodies for use on our chassis and
running gear.
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Now
centred at a new purpose build factory on the outskirts of
Southam, Warwickshire, AL-KO Kober Limited manufactures and
assembles running gear, chassis and conversions for a wide
variety of uses - caravans, light trailers, motorhomes, ambulances,
plant and utility vehicles, minibuses, air compressors and
trailer equipment. Automotive and Factored equipment completes
the range and allows us to supply our customer base via a "one
stop" type approach.As a worldwide organisation, we also
supply a wide range of caravan accessories, including stabilisers,
spare wheel carriers and safety devices to name but a few.
The Company also boasts an extensive selection
of Garden Care products manufactured by our Group companies.
Included in the range are Lawnmowers, Shredders, Brush
Cutters and Composters. More details of these and other
diverse products can be found in our Garden Care section. |
| AL-KO Kober's
UK History |
| 1946 |
The Company was started by Mr Bird and Mr Billington
and was called B&B. Both were ex Automotive Products
employees who started their own precision engineering
company in Park Street, Leamington Spa - moving to Wood
Street in 1948. See picture.
Early products included engineering components, chassis
and gas cookers. The first major batch of caravan chassis
was sold to Pearman Briggs who then became Safari Caravans
who are now incorporated into the modern day Swift Caravans.
Turnover for the first year of trading to 30th September
1947 was £4,618-9s-6d. |
| 1954 |
The company moved to No.1 works at the Queensway site
in Leamington Spa. |
| 1960 |
The company was sold to Wright Ropes. |
| 1962 |
No. 2 works at the Queensway site
was acquired. |
| 1963 |
Wright Ropes were taken over by
British Rope |
| 1964 |
British Rope sold B&B to Bullough
Securities Ltd for £410,000, a Manchester based
Industrial Holding Company. John Whelan - up until then
Technical Director became Managing Director with Mr.
Billington moving to vice Chairman's role in what as
called "an exceptionally fine offer". |
| 1965 |
The paint spray shop is burnt out
in a fire and employees work all night to re-roof the
building. The fire started in ventilation ducts and spread
quickly to the roof. |
| 1980 |
CKD (Complete Knock Down) Chassis
introduced - using bolts to fix together rather than
welded complete. |
| 1982 |
The Company was acquired by Alois
Kober Gmbh (AL-KO) for £1.2m in March and became
known as AL-KO B&B Trailers Limited. This involved
a major shake-up at the top with some long standing members
of the board leaving. Over £400,000 was injected
to help with working capitol as for the first time B&B
had made a trading loss the previous year. Mr Herbert
Kober, one of the three brothers who control the German
based AL-KO Group, which was started by their father
in 1931 said "The investment will enable us to regain
the reputation that B&B had in the past and utilising
the latest technology, which is used to test all our
products at our purpose built test centre in Germany
will enable us to sell a new generation of products in
the U.K." |
| 1984 |
The Company name was changed to
AL-KO B&B Limited. |
| 1989 |
AL-KO's new environmentally friendly
water based paint plant was installed. |
| 1990 |
Saw the 2000th Automotive Chassis
Conversion roll off the production line.
AL-KO achieved the prestigious BS5750 quality standard. |
| 1991 |
The Company name changed again
to AL-KO Kober Limited to consolidate the fact that only
AL-KO products were manufactured. |
| 1995 |
AL-KO was awarded IIP (Investors
in People) Accreditation for its commitment to personal
development and training.
AL-KO was awarded the Swift 95 Club award for continuing commitment to supplier
excellence. Bob Locke was appointed Managing Director from his previous position
as Plant Manager.
New Fully Integrated Manufacturing Control System introduced to reduce customer
lead times, ensure data integrity and lead AL-KO Kober into the Millennium. |
| 1997 |
January
AL-KO Britain Limited (the Garden Care Division) moves premises from County
Durham to AL-KO's site on the Queensway.
October
Mail Order System is initiated to enable consumers to purchase pre-designated "kits" of
accessories.
November - sees the introduction
of AL-KO's Web site to encompass the many diverse areas
of the business. |
| 1998 |
Oct The 1st sod of earth is dug
for new factory premises in Southam, Warwickshire. |
| 1999 |
Feb New design of exhibition stand for AL-KO gets its
first Airing at the Boat, Caravan & Leisure Show at
the NEC.
May
Website undergos new revamp to encompass new Mail Order Products, Dealers
and Technical Information. The site also includes new Gardening section.
July/Aug
Relocation of machinery and workforce to new factory and office complex in
Southam.
Oct
The 5th of October sees AL-KO's official Open Day of new premises, attended
by the Kober family, Southams' Mayor, Rev. Welby, Customers and employees.
July
Trevor Wills retires as Company Secretary after 33 happy years. |
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| The New
Millennium and beyond |
| 2000 |
Feb
Barry Sharratt takes over as new Managing Director from previous position
as General Manager.
Master Dealer Network Association holds AGM in new Training Facility at
AL-KO.
March
The 1st batch of Chassis, built for Cosalt Holiday Homes leaves AL-KO for
their facility in Hull.
June
AL-KO Joins AVONDALE Caravans in celebrating their thirtieth Anniversary
by presenting a gift to Avondale during a factory visit.
July
New Project Manager for Garden Care is appointed. Shaun Cooper re-joins
AL-KO after a successful career at Husqvana.
Aug
AL-KO donates T800 Lawntractor to Stuart Ross memorial fund.
AL-KO is awarded with the Swift as Gold Club Award for 5 years consecutive
years of continuous on-time deliveries.
Sept
AL-KO attends GLEE 2000 Exhibition to present the new image of AL-KO to
the Specialist Garden machinery dealers.
Oct
AL-KO exhibits at the Caravan & Outdoor Leisure Show at Earls Court.
The major feature was to gain exposure for a new line of static holiday
home chassis.
Nov
AL-KO spares & Aftersales Service is relocated from Co. Durham to AL-KO
Southam.
Nov
Members of the Caravan Club visit AL-KO to view the facilities and to hold
their annual meeting. (AGM).
AL-KO UK currently employs over 90
employees and has a turnover of over 20 million. The
AL-KO group currently employs some 4000 personnel on
over 40 countries, primarily in Europe but also in
the USA and China. Turnover exceeds £350m. Worldwide,
the group has manufactured over 6 million axles to
date. |
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| Contact details |
Postal Address
AL-KO Kober Limited
South Warwickshire Business Park
Kineton Road
Southam
Warwickshire
CV47 0AL |
Main Switchboard - 01926 818500
Main Fax - 01926 818562
General Email - mail@al-ko.co.uk
Technical and Service Enquiries: 01926 818669
Email: service@al-ko.co.uk |
| Note: We apologise that if all the lines
are busy you will automatically be put through to an
answer machine but we will endeavour to get back to you
as soon as possible |
|
website
- http://www.al-ko.co.uk/ |
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