A century of John King Chains A family business built to last
custodians of the business, protecting what has been built over the last century and strengthening it for those who will follow us. Reaching 100 years is a testament to the resilience of those who guided the company through wartime production, industrial change and economic challenges, as well as the commitment of the people who continue to shape the business today. As we mark our centenary year, my focus is very much on continuing that progress and building on the foundations that have supported John King Chains since 1926.
the company’s first conveyor systems as early as 1937. During the Second World War the company supported the national war effort through the manufacture of Bren gun carrier tracks, an achievement later recognised by Winston Churchill himself. These early developments helped shape the engineering capability that still underpins the business today. In the decades that followed, John King Chains became closely associated with heavy industry across the UK, supplying mechanical handling equipment to sectors including coal, steel, cement and aggregates. As those industries changed, particularly with the closure of many coal mines, we were forced to adapt. Expanding into export markets and developing new opportunities internationally became an important step in securing the company’s future. That decision continues to influence the direction of the business today. We now operate internationally, with established operations across North America, Africa, South America and Central Europe, alongside continued investment in UK manufacturing capability, including the acquisitions of Precision Chains in 2021 and DAB Valves in 2023. I often reflect on our previous generations, what they would make of the business today and the scale at which John King Chains now operates. While many companies reach milestones like this, what makes ours particularly meaningful to me is that we remain a privately owned family business. That continuity brings with it a real sense of responsibility. As the current generation, we see ourselves as
William Wadsworth Group Managing Director, John King Chains
2026 marks a very special milestone for John King Chains as we celebrate 100 years since the company was founded by our great-great- grandfather, John King, in 1926. As part of the fifth generation now involved in the business, reaching this point feels both significant and humbling, and it naturally brings a moment to reflect on how the company has developed over the last century.
In the early years, the business grew alongside the needs of local industry. As coal mining expanded and mechanical handling became increasingly important, our great- great-grandfather recognised the opportunity and developed some of
FBUK Issue 7 30
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