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Founding Aspirations |
| The Burns family suffered in the 1930`s due to the great depression and high unemployment. | |
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In the Mid 1930`s with re-arming leading up to the 2nd world war the brothers all had jobs at GKN, |
| a world renowned Screw & Fastener producer in Smethwick. | |
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In 1946 the family decided to start manufacturing for themselves. Thirteen members of the family |
| started the B.P.M Engineering Company.The name representing the family names Burns,Peaseley,and | |
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Middleton. The company started in Aston with work being produced, evenings and weekends. |
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In 1948 the company moved to Leasowes, Smethwick with full time production commencing ,eventually |
| leading to all the brothers leaving GKN. In 1950-51 the Brick Pattern Co, Portway Road was purchased, | |
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a 5000 Sq ft site leading to the company moving from their rented premises to todays present site. |
| In 1952 the company became Limited and changed its name to Burns Brothers (smethwick) Limited. | |
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One of the last remaining founder members my father Stanley Burns at this time Managing Director |
| ran the company with the introduction of the second generation, my cousin James Yates and myself | |
Alan Burns both serving our apprenticeship and formal training under the guidance of my father. |
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The partnership has lasted fifty years with the introduction in the meantime of the third generation, our sons |
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Christopher Yates and Andrew Burns who in time honoured tradition have served their apprenticeships |
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and now due to our retirements are at the helm. I feel the original idea was to provide employment |
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| and security for family members who wished to work in the trade. For two generations this has been so, | |
| and hope this to continue for a third, maybe a fourth, who can say. | |
Alan Burns (MD) June 2006 |