Lucas Labs Research & Development

[Solihull54]

My late brother in law, Ray Orford was a long standing employee of Lucas's research and development headquarters on the Stratford Road Shirley. He was a metallurgist and also union representative for many years. Alas, he only enjoyed three years of retirement when he died aged 68. Question :- Is the R&D Lucas's HQ still there.

it's ZF these days but won't be there beyond 20/21

 

[james houston]

I worked at The Lucas Research Centre in Shirley from 78 to 83 as an Electrician and I remember Ray Orford .He was a nice man always had time for lots of people, I always remember at Christmas he would have people popping into his Laboratory all day long because he would have a Christmas Punch mixed up in one of his Large Testing Vessels , few people would visit more than once he would always have photographs pinned up in The New Year of his "Lab Visitors".
Did a lot of work for his Union, could you post a photo of him please.Happy memories.Jim

 

[guilbert53]

I live near the old Lucas Shirley site.

Not sure how long it is since some of you have seen it but the site has changed dramatically over the last few years, and is still changing.

On the site a hotel has been built, numerous car showrooms, retirement homes, other business buildings etc.

There is a HUGE care home being built right now (see second photo below).

Here is an aerial view of the site from Google maps (slightly out of date). To the left of Porcelanosa Bathrooms a huge care home and is being built (see second photo below).

There is also plans for more housing on the site with a housing company having bought part of the site at the very top of this image.



Below is a view from Google maps of the care home that is being built on the site. This view is about a year old and the building is now MUCH larger.

It is Connaught House and will have 86 suites. Web site here

Connaught House Care Home Solihull West Midlands

Connaught House Care Home is a luxury 86 suite care home that redefines care home provision for the elderly of Solihull and Shirley

www.restfulhomes.co.uk

 

[Kanny_Ken]

I was at Lucas GRC in 1966 to 68 and met my wife there who was department secretary. She had been in the old research centre in Marston Green before that. I happened to google to see what was happening there now and came across a planning application for last year to knock it all down. Such a shame as it was an iconic building and when we used to visit her parents we saw the changes over the years up to 2013. With the new road layout the building was more prominent and appeared to embrace the roundabout. Reminds me of my home town of Bath where they knock down the wrong buildings and erect trendy ones totally lacking class.

 

[Solihull54]

it's ZF these days but won't be there beyond 20/21

I left ZF as it was after the TRW takeover in 2015 having worked there since 2010. I heard the ZF technical centre as it now is will move to Blythe Business Centre. Pale shadow of Lucas days since I joined the company at Shaftmoor Lane in 1985. Thats progress folks !!

 

[Solihull54]

I was at Lucas GRC in 1966 to 68 and met my wife there who was department secretary. She had been in the old research centre in Marston Green before that. I happened to google to see what was happening there now and came across a planning application for last year to knock it all down. Such a shame as it was an iconic building and when we used to visit her parents we saw the changes over the years up to 2013. With the new road layout the building was more prominent and appeared to embrace the roundabout. Reminds me of my home town of Bath where they knock down the wrong buildings and erect trendy ones totally lacking class.

TRW Technical Centre, Shirley, Solihull, as it was in October 2008

 

[Solihull54]

TRW Technical Centre, Shirley, Solihull, as it was in October 2008View attachment 147250

TRW external and internal floor 2 as it was in October 2008

 

[Oldlucasboy]

it's ZF these days but won't be there beyond 20/21

0

it's ZF these days but won't be there beyond 20/21

I worked at Lucas Research in the 70’s and remember Ray Orford well. Nice bloke and spot on in his work. I previously worked in production and returned to it - several posts around the Lucas group in manufacturing related roles. The research centre was a super place to work but I always thought that there was an insufficient relationship between the centre and the world of having to make a profit - maybe that’s why it was so good to work there.

 

[DL 43]

hi

Well what a haul of Lucas Employees. My pension from 1966 to 1070 ex GK St is from Aviva at £16 PA.
In those days you could take out most of the money bar 10/- a week.
My friend David Lacey worked there for years till he left aroung 1982. He was a plastics expert
All our department whats left of it met again for our Xmas do at the Bull in Town.
Happy Xmas and new Years. I think some where in Jackie Hills site.

Mike Jenks

Dave Lacy here Mike, I do remember you. I was at GRC from 1968 - 1975 in the very small Plastics Section within the Metal Shaping Dept. I can recall John Monk in charge of the Plastics section. Also during my approx. 2 years at Foremans Road, Joe Turnbull, Geoff Hill, Harry Proctor, Harry Postans, Keith Warren. Thoroughly enjoyed my time at GRC, and Lucas ,gaining lots of knowledge and experience for my future. Left Lucas in 1975 for a job in the Bedford area, left there in 1987 for new job near Shrewsbury. Still there after many short jobs in Plastics and other ones.

 

[Oldlucasboy]

I always appreciate my time at Lucas Research and remember the quality of people that worked there.

 

[Mick Brown]

Dave Lacy here Mike, I do remember you. I was at GRC from 1968 - 1975 in the very small Plastics Section within the Metal Shaping Dept. I can recall John Monk in charge of the Plastics section. Also during my approx. 2 years at Foremans Road, Joe Turnbull, Geoff Hill, Harry Proctor, Harry Postans, Keith Warren. Thoroughly enjoyed my time at GRC, and Lucas ,gaining lots of knowledge and experience for my future. Left Lucas in 1975 for a job in the Bedford area, left there in 1987 for new job near Shrewsbury. Still there after many short jobs in Plastics and other ones.

Hi Dave - do you remember me? - Mick Brown. We exchanged roles when you took on my process planning job and I replaced you at Group Research during that period. The names you mention bring back many happy memories.