Two West Midland businesses named in UK’s Top 10 oldest

TWO of the West Midlands’ best known companies have been named in a list of the Top 10 oldest family-owned businesses in the UK.

Jewellery Quarter business Toye & Co, which makes medals and regalia, has long been recognised as Birmingham’s oldest manufacturer, having been in business since 1685.

It is placed ninth on the list, which has been compiled by Family Business United.

One place below Toye is Lye-based Folkes Group. Folkes Holdings, which has been under family control since 1697, specialises in commercial property development in the UK and South Africa.

The oldest family business identified – the Whitechapel Bell Foundry – dates back to 1420 and its existence spans the reigns of 27 English monarchs.  The foundry cast the famous Big Ben bell and the Liberty Bell.

Family Business United said between them, the 10 listed businesses had accumulated a combined operational time span of 4,027 years.

“The contribution that these firms have made over the years in terms of revenue generation, employment, contributions to GDP and tax revenues, not to mention their support of the communities in which they operate should not go unnoticed,” it said.  

“In the current climate especially, things are tough, but the one thing that the oldest family businesses in Britain have in common is that they have been around long enough that they have seen it all before and have adapted and changed over time and remained in business as it passes from generation to generation.”