Trico VE History
Founded in Keighley in the 1890's, Trico is an acronym for 'The
Rustless Iron Company'. The sole purpose of the company being the
vitreous enamelling of metal products and components for what was
then a significant Northern based metal working industry. Before
the advent of plastics in the 1950s the company prospered with the
ability to enamel anything from a bath to a cap badge.
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| Trico Delivery Vehicles |
The widespread use of plastics as an alternative use for bowls,
sinks, mugs and other household items, together with the decline of
the UK manufacturing base, has meant a reduction and
rationalisation of the enamelling industry with Trico not being
immune. 1998 marked a significant landmark in the history of the
business with the relocation of the company from Keighley to
Bingley and its acquisition by Mariner Holdings plc.
Mariner had already established links with the vitreous enamel
industry in that it owned English Enamels Ltd, a Midlands based
company performing a small amount of contract enamelling but also
specialising in vitreous enamel signage. Established in 1937 and
originally owned by T.I. the company had built itself a reputation
for high quality signage.
The integration of the two businesses onto one site at Bingley
to combine their skills and improve service was vital. Trico had
invested heavily in purchasing from Germany a completely new
enamelling factory and it was only logical for English Enamels to
take advantage of modern equipment to further uplift quality.
Today, both businesses have been combined under the Trico
banner. Although many of the products from the early days have
disappeared, the appreciation of the qualities of vitreous enamel
is again becoming widespread. The richness of colours, heat and
fade resistance, anti graffiti, resistant to acid and longevity of
life means that again demand is increasing for the company’s
products. The company is the only UK based manufacturer with the
ability to mass produce panels, enamel cast iron, produce high
quality signage as well as serving the needs of cooker, central
heating manufacturers as well as a multitude of other
applications.