Company timeline

William Carter opens an ironmongery business on Oxford High Street.

1812

Carter opens the Jericho Iron and Brass Foundry in Walton Well Road.

1825

Business (now owned by Charles Grafton) renamed Eagle Ironworks.

1838

Business changes name to Grafton & Lucy.

1864

Business bought by James Kelley.

1873

Charles Kelley takes over and forms W Lucy & Co Ltd.

1897

Charles Kelley sells shares to William Madgen.

1899

William Madgen appoints John Reid Dick as Managing Director.

1905

Lucy acknowledges future lies in the electrical business by joining BEAMA.

1911

John Reid Dick becomes Chairman.

1925

Gordon Dick joins Lucy's and together with Chief Engineer L.P. Lockwood undertakes a major redesign programme.

1930

Gordon Dick succeeds as Chairman.

1950

WL Shareholding Co Ltd incorporated, stabilising independent ownership.

1959

Last freeholds for Eagle Works acquired.

1966

Gordon Dick recruits Ralph Holland to run sales and marketing.

1968

Acquisition of Sandawana Castings.

1989

Richard Dick takes over as Chairman.

1990

CG Lucy Switchgear Ltd joint venture established with Grants Greaves.

1994

Acquisition of Power Isolators Ltd & Power Connectors Ltd.

1996

Lucy Electric opens first manufacturing unit in United Arab Emirates.

1999

Major business reorganisation takes place to modernise and expand the Lucy Group.

2001

Development agreement for Eagle Works signed with Berkley Homes.

2003

Lucy Electric moves to Thame and all manufacturing ends at Eagle Works; third factory opens in Dubai for RMUs and SF6 switchgear.

2005

Redevelopment of the former Eagle Works site complete; Lucy Real Estate business unit established to combine Lucy Properties, Lucy Development and Lucy Block Management.

2008

Zodion Limited Net Assets were acquired and integrated with Lucy Lighting to become Lucy Zodion Ltd.

2011

Lucy Electric opens in China.

2012

Acquisition of Truscanian Ltd, an aluminium and bronze casting business; Lucy Castings formed combining Truscanian Ltd and Sandawana Castings Ltd.

2013

Lucy Electric’s Thailand manufacturing and commercial activities established.

 

2014

Acquisition of Crompton Greaves™ equity interests in CG Lucy Switchgear Ltd and the GridKey business from Selex ES Ltd.

2015

W. Lucy & Co. Ltd changed its name to Lucy Group Ltd.

2017