Company History
In the 1730’s, William Westley was a famous cartographer who produced many printed maps of early Birmingham by the process of brass engraving. In 1731 William Westley produced the first street map of Birmingham. Click Here To See The Map.
It is thought that the initial brass foundry cottage industry, which started in Dudley in the middle to late 1700’s, was inspired by the very maps that were engraved by William Westley. The first purpose built brass foundry was established in Dudley in 1800 and was called ‘The Queens Cross Foundry’. William Westley was the Proprietor.
Main products were bearings for machinery being used by the new coal and metal enterprises just starting within the industrial revolution. The creation of numerous rolling mills for iron and steel development led to a large market for bronze rolling mill bearings.