The Acumen Company, Park Road, Aston

[emevans]

Does anyone on the site have any knowledge about The Acumen Company, who had a factory/workshop in Park Road, Aston. According to Graces Guide they produced accessories for the motor and motorcycle industry from at least 1945 to the late 1950's but I cannot find out any history is contemporary magazines etc. It would appear that they produced a unique hand operated horn for invalid carriages etc. Instead of using the familiar rubber bulb to expel the air through a reed, Acumen patented a fabric bellows which could be operated by the disabled person pressing down on the steel top cap of the bellows. Simple but effective.

Any information would be helpful.

Em

 

[mikejee]

Apparently they were at the Rose Works, 133 Park road from at least 1932 (from Kellys) and originally were described as motor accessories, pressworkers & metal spinners, but by and during WW2 described themselves as manufacturers of cycle & motorcycle accessories & leatherworkers. The leatherworking had been dropped by 1946, by 1965 they had added scooter accessories, and by the time of the last Kellys in 1973 were just manufacturing cycle accessories. The position of the factory in Park Road, between Albert & Victoria Roads is shown in red on the map c 1950

 

[emevans]

Apparently they were at the Rose Works, 133 Park road from at least 1932 (from Kellys) and originally were described as motor accessories, pressworkers & metal spinners, but by and during WW2 described themselves as manufacturers of cycle & motorcycle accessories & leatherworkers. The leatherworking had been dropped by 1946, by 1965 they had added scooter accessories, and by the time of the last Kellys in 1973 were just manufacturing cycle accessories. The position of the factory in Park Road, between Albert & Victoria Roads is shown in red on the map c 1950

View attachment 113517

Thank you very much for the information and the excellent map Mike. You have answered everything that I wanted to know about The Acumen Company. I must have walked past their premises several times in the 50's and 60's without wondering what was going on inside. My old James motorcycle has what I believe is an Acumen bulb horn on the handlebar and 60 years after it's manufacture it is still in perfect working order. They may have been cheap but they were excellent value for money.

Best wishes.

Emlyn

 

[Astoness]

emlyn i am sure i have one or have seen a photo of the acumen co..i have searched all of my park road photos which are on the forum but no luck...will keep searching for you

lyn

 

[emevans]

Thanks very much Lyn.

Emlyn

 

[Astoness]

i knew i had seen one..just found this in my files although it must be about 4 years since i looked at this file..click on photo and click click again on the top right hand arrow for full screen..acuman co is the one with the attic

lyn

 

[Astoness]

i have moved this thread to the appropriate section of the forum

 

[emevans]

i knew i had seen one..just found this in my files although it must be about 4 years since i looked at this file..click on photo and click click again on the top right hand arrow for full screen..acuman co is the one with the attic

lyn

View attachment 113707

Sorry for the delay in replying - away on holiday...
Thank you for the superb photographs Lyn. Now I know what the Acumen premises were really like in those difficult post war years when you could have anything made from a pen nib to steam-roller in small workshops in Birmingham. They were happy days and I am thankful for having experienced it. Best wishes.

Emlyn

 

[Astoness]

happy to help emlyn...glad you like the photo

lyn

 

[a s wood]

What book is that with the Acumen picture in it please Lyn?

 

[Astoness]

What book is that with the Acumen picture in it please Lyn?

its in a book called aston remembered by victor j price..published 1989 by BREWIN books..cracking little book with lots of info and smashing photos

lyn

 

[a s wood]

Thank you once again Lyn.

 

[Radiorails]

1946

1950

1962