A Century of Craftsmanship: The History of Birchills Automotive

Few engineering companies can claim a history that spans three centuries. Birchills Automotive is one of those rare names. What began as a small workshop has grown into a trusted engineering partner supplying exhaust systems, presswork, fabrications, and specialist components to some of the most respected brands in the UK and across the world.

Tracing that journey reveals not just the history of a business, but the story of craftsmanship, resilience, and constant innovation, qualities that still define Birchills Automotive today.

From Locks and Hardware to Industrial Problem-Solving

Birchills was founded in the late 19th century by W.J.H. Goodman in Bloxwich, in the heart of the West Midlands. At the time, the region was alive with small manufacturing firms whose skill and determination helped build Britain’s industrial reputation. Birchills quickly became known for specialist locks and architectural hardware.

The company’s early products included six- and seven-lever locks, specialised “triangle key” designs for buses, and the well-known Gas Board “budget lock.” These were precision engineered items built to last, an early sign of the quality-first approach that would underpin Birchills’ future.

As the business grew, it remained in the Goodman family, passing through generations who each helped steer its direction. During the Second World War, Birchills turned its engineering skills to essential wartime production, creating tank locks and battery box frames. For the first time, women joined the workforce, playing a vital role in keeping British industry moving.

Post-War Expansion and a Royal Connection

By 1947, the business had outgrown its original workshop and moved to a new facility at Willenhall Lane. Around this time, Birchills was selected to supply replacement locks for the refurbishment of the R.M.S. Queen Mary,  a prestigious commission that demonstrated the trust placed in their craftsmanship.

Through the 1950s and 60s, the company expanded into new product lines, manufacturing locks for Dennis Fire Engines, components for railway carriages, and heater assemblies. The acquisition of other specialist lock businesses helped broaden its capabilities further.

The Birth of the Exhaust Division

During the early 1960s, Birchills recognised a rising need in the automotive industry: high-quality, British-made exhaust components. What began as an exploratory step soon became a defining part of the company’s identity.

By 1970, production of exhaust systems had grown so substantially that Birchills established a new site on Green Lane, the headquarters still used today. Here, power-press manufacturing expanded rapidly, supporting both OEM and aftermarket sectors. Alongside exhausts, the company also produced chassis components for Reliant vehicles and engineered locks for aluminium window systems.

These developments positioned Birchills as a versatile manufacturer capable of designing and producing intricate metal components at scale — a skill that continues to drive the business.

Diversification and New Engineering Capabilities

The early 2000s marked another era of growth. Birchills extended its expertise into precision presswork and washer production, offering highly accurate, custom-engineered parts to a wider range of industries. Their reputation for flexibility and problem-solving began attracting clients beyond automotive, including construction, marine, motorsport, and civil engineering.

More recently, in 2023, Birchills introduced a new line of bollards and barriers — a modern expansion that combines design, safety, and heavy-duty fabrication. This addition reflects the company’s ongoing commitment to respond to emerging needs and use their manufacturing capabilities to serve diverse sectors.

Today, Birchills exports products to numerous markets across Europe, including Belgium, Germany, Sweden, the Netherlands, Ireland, and Malta. Their heritage is proudly British, but their influence travels far further.

How a Century of Engineering Makes Birchills a Trusted Modern Partner

The long history of Birchills Automotive isn’t just an interesting timeline, it’s the foundation of why the company is so respected today.

More than 100 years of engineering experience means:

A deep understanding of materials and manufacturing

From intricate locks to high-temperature exhaust components, Birchills has spent decades mastering how metals perform, respond, endure, and refine. This insight forms the backbone of every modern Birchills product.

Continuous innovation

The company has reinvented itself multiple times from hardware to exhausts, to presswork, and now bollards and fabrications. This willingness to evolve is part of why automotive brands continue to trust Birchills.

Consistency that only time can build

Longevity in engineering isn’t accidental. Birchills’ survival and success across wars, industrial shifts, new technologies, and globalisation speaks to its reliability and exceptional standards.

A reputation earned, not claimed

Being trusted by OEMs, international clients, and major industries didn’t happen overnight. It came from generations of precision, quality craftsmanship, dependable delivery, and technical expertise.

A Legacy That Drives the Future of Birchills Automotive

From a modest workshop in Bloxwich to a multi-disciplinary engineering company serving customers across Europe, the story of Birchills Automotive is one of resilience, adaptability, and unwavering commitment to quality.

Today, Birchills continues to blend traditional engineering skill with new technology delivering British-made exhaust systems, presswork, fabrications, and bespoke components that meet the needs of modern industry.