History
Preserving our legacy
The Hay Mills Foundation Trust (HMFT) is dedicated to safeguarding the rich history of Webster and Horsfall, a company with over 300 years of heritage. Through meticulous cataloguing of archives and artefacts, HMFT ensures that the stories of innovation and craftsmanship are accessible for future generations. Their efforts provide invaluable insights into the evolution of wire and wire rope manufacturing, reflecting the enduring legacy of a family business that has shaped industries worldwide.
Milestones
Established
John Webster of Digbeth an ironmonger by trade begins to draw wire at his mill in Perry Barr.
Expansion
Joseph Webster (2nd generation) takes a lease on Penns Mill in Walmley. By this time the company was involved in multiple stages of production from pig iron to finished components.
Crucible steel
Joseph Webster starts experimenting with crucible steel at Plants Forge in Minworth. This led to the development of high carbon steel piano wire. The development of other products such as needles, fish hooks, gun barrels and swords followed. By this time Joseph had developed Penns Mills into a specialist wire drawing facility.
Exporting
The development of crucible steel production led to the first exports of wire to France for needle making. Increasing demand for iron production also led to a lease of the Longor Iron Forge in Shropshire.
Hunting accident
Joseph II (3rd generation) dies after a hunting fall leaving his wife Phoebe to run the company for twelve years. The company at this time consisted of three wire mills, a forge, steel manufacture, a warehouse and a substantial retail organisation.
Partnership
Joseph III (4th generation) goes into partnership with his brother in law John William Crompton. For a time the firm was to be known as Webster and Crompton.
Killamarsh
Joseph III acquires Killamarsh Forge and Rolling Mills in Derbyshire. From 1824 onwards Killamarsh became the main supply source for Penns. In 1923 Joseph’s manager John Bird starting experimenting with manganese in melts giving rise to a far superior quality of music wire.
Baron Dickinson Webster
Baron Dickinson Webster (5th generation) made a joint partner by his father after three years of tuition in the company.
Letters of patent awarded by Queen Victoria
James Horsfall is granted Letters of patent by Queen Victoria for his heat treatment process for wire.
James Horsfall
James Horsfall sells his Oxford Street Works in Birmingham and moves the operation to a former sword factory in Hay Mills.
Gold medal at Great Exhibition
James Horsfall is awarded a gold medal for his music wire at the Crystal Palace Great Exhibition in Hyde Park.
Webster and Horsfall formed
James Horsfall and Baron Dickinson Webster form a partnership known as Webster & Horsfall.
Trans Atlantic Cable
The Great Eastern steam ship lays the first successful Trans Atlantic Telegraph Cable using Webster & Horsfall wire.
Locked Coil mining rope
Telford Batchelor invents the Locked Coil Winding Rope and his business partner Arthur Latch approaches Webster & Horsfall to supply the wire.
Latch and Batchelor established
Latch and Batchelor is formed to develop Locked Coil and subsequently Flattened Strand ropes for the mining industry.
First World War
In the 1st World War, Webster & Horsfall are the sole manufacturers of shell fuse spring wire, along with anti-submarine netting, wire for mines, aircraft and balloon cables.
Second World War
During the Second World War, Hay Mills is bombed with 12 direct hits. Production for the war effort is uninterrupted.
Canadian venture
The Company set up a manufacturing plant in Canada.
UK coal
Latch & Batchelor are supplying specialist mining ropes to over 300 UK coal mines.
Crane rope division
Latch & Batchelor start trading special wire ropes to the UK & Irish Crane Rope markets.
Developer proposals declined
Webster & Horsfall Ltd declined developer-led proposals, instead opting to explore their own strategy for Tyseley Energy Park.
Oil and Gas
Webster & Horsfall begin to manufacture super duplex stainless steel wires for the Oil & Gas sector.
Development strategy formed
Webster & Horsfall begin to manufacture super duplex stainless steel wires for the Oil & Gas sector.
Community consultations begin
The first round of community consultations was held, establishing a foundation for quarterly community events that continue to this day.
Establishment of Tyseley Energy Park
Tyseley Energy Park was officially established with the approval of planning permission, marking the start of its clean energy journey.
Tyseley Energy Park
Planning submitted or Tyseley Energy Park, a long-term vision to develop 10 acres of land at Hay Mills whilst maintaining a specialist trading business focused on wire and wire rope.
First Phase of consolidation strategy
Webster & Horsfall Ltd completed the first phase of its consolidation strategy, including the relocation of plant and services.
Industrial demolition and biomass approval
A 100,000 sqft industrial building was demolished, and planning approval for a 10MW biomass power plant was granted with the operator contract signed.
Biomass power plant construction begins
Construction commenced on the biomass power plant, scheduled for completion in July 2016. Tyseley Energy Park was invited to join Birmingham City Council’s Green Commission.
Biomass power station
Construction of a state of the art biomass power station commences on phase 1 of Tyseley Energy Park.
Stakeholder engagement initiated
Quarterly stakeholder meetings began to explore development options for Phase 2 of Tyseley Energy Park.
Designs for low and zero carbon refuelling station
Designs for Phase 2 of the Low and Zero Carbon Refuelling Station were developed in partnership with key stakeholders.
Schoolroom refurbishment completed
The historic schoolroom on-site was refurbished to support community engagement and education. Since 2015 we have built a program of engagement with schools from the area.
Energy Innovation Zone Designation
Tyseley Energy Park was designated an Energy Innovation Zone as part of Energy Capital.
Kiswire strategic partnership
Latch & Batchelor enter into a strategic partnership with Kiswire for the global distribution of mining ropes.
Visit from Rt Hon Greg Clark MP
Rt Hon Greg Clark MP, then Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, visited Tyseley Energy Park to learn about its contributions to clean energy and the development of sustainable technologies.
Biomass power plant operational
Birmingham Biopower’s waste wood biomass power plant became operational in 2016, exporting clean power to the site and contributing to Birmingham’s clean energy goals.
Refuelling Station planning approved
Planning permission for Tyseley Energy Park’s Low and Zero Carbon Refuelling Station (Phase 2) was approved.
Tysley Energy Park phase 2
The Master Plan for Phase 2 of Tyseley Energy Park is launched.
Second phase of consolidation strategy
Webster & Horsfall completed the second phase of their consolidation strategy relocating the remaining wire operation into building on phase 5 including a state-of-the-art water recirculation system.
Establishment of rent-e EV car rental
Rent-e, an electric vehicle rental company (later rebranded as Evezy), was established on-site, advancing clean mobility solutions.
TEP co-creation group formed
A co-creation group was established, including public, private, and academic partners, to drive collaborative development at Tyseley Energy Park.
Management Buyout & University of Birmingham Investment
Completion of Management Buyout and Collaboration Agreement between Tyseley Energy Park and the University of Birmingham.
Demolition of industrial space completed
100,000 sqft of dilapidated industrial space was demolished, paving the way for new development envisaged by the University of Birmingham.
Completion of Low and Zero Carbon Refuelling Station
The UK’s first multi-fuel, open-access Low and Zero Carbon Refuelling Station, completed in 2019, supports Birmingham's clean air goals. TEP partners with BCC to deliver annual clean air roadshows at Villa Park Stadium.
Access road established
A new access road onto the A45, named Energy Way, was established, improving connectivity for Tyseley Energy Park.
Launch of SME incubation through the climate innovation platform
In partnership with the University of Birmingham’s Climate Innovation Platform (CIP), Tyseley Energy Park began supporting SMEs through the creation of new office and industrial space and the creation of a cluster of companies from the green technologies sector.
Construction of Birmingham Energy Innovation Centre
Construction began at Tyseley Energy Park on the £8.5 million Birmingham Energy Innovation Centre, supporting innovation in waste, energy, and low-carbon vehicle systems for a greener Birmingham and West Midlands.
Hydrogen refuelling station operational
The hydrogen refueler became operational. The site refuels 20 hydrogen busses making the facility, at the time, the largest hydrogen refuelling site in the UK.
Opening of Birmingham Energy Innovation Centre
The Birmingham Energy Innovation Centre officially opened in July 2021 by West Midlands Mayor Andy Street, Chairman of the GBSLEP Tim Pile and Professor Sir David Eastwood, Vice Chancellor of the University of Birmingham.
Business incubation space refurbished
Tyseley Energy Park refurbished 11,257 sqft of office and industrial space to support University of Birmingham’s Climate Innovation Platform (CIP), funded by HSBC.
Keir Starmer Visits Tyseley Energy Park
Keir Starmer visited Tyseley Energy Park in January and October 2022, other ministers to visit TEP over the course of 2022.
Visit from Rt Hon Michael Gove MP
Rt Hon Michael Gove MP, Secretary of State for Levelling Up, visited the Birmingham Energy Innovation Centre at Tyseley Energy Park to explore collaborations supporting net-zero innovation and the region’s levelling-up agenda.
Visit from the UK’s Chief Scientific Advisor
Dame Angela McLean, the UK’s Chief Scientific Advisor, toured Tyseley Energy Park and praised its initiatives in hydrogen refuelling, biomass power, and its collaboration with academia and industry to combat climate change.
Strategic Alliance Formalised
Birmingham City Council, the University of Birmingham, Tyseley Energy Park, and The Crown Estate formalised the TEED Strategic Alliance to establish Birmingham’s Green Energy and Innovation Quarter.
Phase 3 marketing generates interest
Marketing of Phase 3 began drawing in a wide range of interest from clean technology innovators.
Launch of Tyseley Green Innovation Quarter Vision
The Tyseley Green Innovation Quarter vision was launched in January 2023, outlining plans for sustainable growth in East Birmingham.
Completion of River Cole regeneration project
The £1.3 million ERDF River Cole regeneration project led by UoB was completed, enhancing biodiversity and community green spaces beside Tyseley Energy Park.
Development of group-wide sustainability strategy
Tyseley Energy Park developed a sustainability strategy for Webster & Horsfall Group, aligning operations with UN SDGs.
Green manufacturing innovations
Electric infrared heaters and electric forklifts were introduced, reducing Scope 1 and 2 emissions by an estimated 74%.
Commissioning of Ammogen Project
The £6.7 million Ammogen Project, the world’s largest ammonia-to-hydrogen conversion initiative, was commissioned on-site.
King’s Award for Sustainable Development
Webster & Horsfall Group received the prestigious King’s Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development, recognising its leadership in sustainability and clean energy innovation.
Crown Estate joins strategic alliance
The Crown Estate joined the strategic alliance, commissioning a report on energy infrastructure and land opportunities in Tyseley Green Innovation Quarter.
National Centre for the Decarbonisation of Heat Coming Soon
The University of Birmingham are set to deliver the National Centre for the Decarbonisation of Heat on phase 4 of Tyseley Energy Park. Click here to learn more.